Abstract
In recent years, the demand for incorporating design thinking and attitudes in businesses and public sectors has been recognized in society. In response to this, the Creative Leadership Course at the Musashino Art University Graduate School was established to provide advanced design education for working professionals. This paper presents a case study of the Creative Leadership Course, with a focus on its curriculum, teaching methods, and outcomes based on self-evaluation and practical examples. First, we provide an overview of the course curriculum and its alignment with the “Advanced Design Human Resources Development Guidelines” established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan. We then describe the teaching methods employed in the course, which emphasize project-based learning, dialogues with industry-leading creative leaders, and hands-on experiences in art and design. The paper also reports on the outcomes of the course, as perceived by the students and their growth in terms of learning attitudes and the acquisition of skills. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects of the Creative Leadership Course in nurturing the desired skills and mindsets in working professionals. The findings of this case study may serve as a reference for other institutions aiming to develop similar educational programs for working professionals in the field of design.
