Integrating Imagination and Design Thinking: Pedagogical Approaches for Postgraduate Creativity
July 2025, Vol. 3, No. 2, Issue
Author(s)
Rahat Varma (Design Educator and Independent Researcher, New Delhi, Delhi, 110076, India)
Abstract
Examining the function and possible effects of the “Imaginative Design Thinking” courses created for postgraduate Master of Design (M.Des) students, this paper places its inception within the changing context of higher education. It is becoming more and more important to go beyond conventional, inflexible pedagogies and promote vital cognitive and interpersonal abilities like creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and teamwork as postgraduate students become more diverse and independent. This paper aims to define “Imaginative Design Thinking” courses and further infer the structure and pedagogical strategies that must be used to deploy these courses in various delivery contexts, as well as comparisons with similar international programs. It does this by drawing on national educational policies such as India’s NEP 2020, which promotes experiential, inquiry-driven, and holistic learning. Multidisciplinary content, active and collaborative learning, and thematic exploration of creativity in design, sustainability, and social transformation are all proposed for use in the course. To demonstrate how creative inquiry can question accepted wisdom and stimulate fresh viewpoints, a literary case study of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s writings is employed. According to the analysis, a course like this can greatly improve students’ capacity for innovation, adaptability, and personal development, preparing them to lead and navigate in challenging, quickly evolving work environments. In the end, the study makes the case that fostering the next generation of design leaders who can envision and bring about significant change requires incorporating imagination and creativity into postgraduate design education.
Keywords
Imaginative Design Thinking, Design Education, Human-Centered Design, Problem-Solving, Experiential Learning, Critical Thinking, Interdisciplinary Pedagogy, Active Learning, Creative Problem-Solving, Design Pedagogy
DOI :
Copyright & Licence
Authors publishing in JAARD retain copyright in their work and grant the journal the right of first publication. Published articles are made available under the Creative Commons licence specified by the journal. Current licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Pages : 30-44
Citation
Varma, R. (2025). Integrating imagination and design thinking: Pedagogical approaches for postgraduate creativity. International Journal of Arts Architecture & Design, 3(2), 30–44. doi.org/10.62030/2025Julypaper3
References
ACE. (n.d.). *Innovative education methods: Transforming teaching and learning.* https://ace.edu/blog/innovative-education-methods-transforming-teaching-and-learning/
Boston University, Center for Teaching & Learning. (2006). *Experiential learning.* https://www.bu.edu/ctl/ctl_resource/experiential-learning/
Drexel University. (n.d.). *Master’s degree in creativity and innovation.* https://drexel.edu/soe/academics/graduate/creativity-and-innovation/
Elisava. (n.d.). *Master in creativity and design leadership.* https://www.elisava.net/en/masters/master-in-creativity-and-design-leadership/
FindAMasters. (n.d.). *Masters degrees in imagination.* https://www.findamasters.com/masters-degrees/?Keywords=imaginatio
Florida Board of Governors. (2023). *System-wide definitions of experiential learning.* https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/System-wide-Definitions-of-Experiential-Learning.pdf
Kent State University. (n.d.). *What is experiential learning and why is it important?* https://www.kent.edu/community/what-experiential-learning-and-why-it-important
London School of Science & Technology (LSST). (2020). *Innovative teaching methods in higher education: Empowering mature non-traditional learners.* https://www.lsst.ac/blogs/innovative-teaching-methods-in-higher-education-empowering-mature-non-traditional-learners/
Notion. (2024). *2024-PG-3-I-Dream-I.* https://www.notion.so/2024-PG-3-I-Dream-I-546177143f694282961427defd3fd028
Professional Alternatives. (n.d.). *Experiential learning: Definition & examples.* https://www.proalt.com/experiential-learning-definition-examples/
Riipen. (n.d.). *7 innovative teaching methods for modern higher education.* https://www.riipen.com/blog/innovative-teaching-methods
Suitable. (n.d.). *30+ experiential learning activities for the classroom, campus & beyond.* https://www.suitable.co/knowledge-center/blog/30-experiential-learning-activities-for-the-classroom-campus-beyond
SUNY Buffalo State University. (n.d.). *Master of Science program: Center for Applied Imagination.* https://creativity.buffalostate.edu/masters
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). (n.d.). *Art, Psyche and the Creative Imagination – MA.* https://tus.ie/courses/ma-art-psyche-and-the-creative-imagination/
Tullis, J. G., et al. (n.d.). *Innovative pedagogical approaches in postgraduate education.* Atlantis Press. https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125997631.pdf
University Grants Commission (UGC). (n.d.). *Guidelines for innovative pedagogical approaches & evaluation reforms in higher education institutions.* https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/1031121_Guidelines-Innovative-Pedagogical-Approaches-Evaluation-Reforms.pdf