Design Thinking Jam: Helping Students to Overcome Anxiety and Depression

A Design Thinking Jam gathers people with different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures to develop innovative solutions around a specific challenge in a short time. Just like in jam sessions in jazz music, the focus is on trying something new together – and not just talking about it.

• Clear structure and strict time boxing: Most jams follow the structure of a typical design or innovation project. They use the tried and trusted tools and methods of (service) design thinking. While full-fledged projects can take months, jams pack the essence of those into just a weekend.
•  Playful but focused: The atmosphere is playful and fun – a facet of the jam that has proven to foster creativity and innovation. Creativity, which can be focused to achieve the desired outcomes. In a Design Jam work and play are not opposites but form a productive symbiosis.

Students that have joined the Aurora Design Thinking Jam have worked together with students from many other Aurora universities – with different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures – to develop innovative solutions around a specific challenge quickly.