Future Studio
NOTE: Assignments and readings are noted on the day they are due. This schedule is a guide and will change over the course of the term–check back often!
Session 1: September 12
-Introductions
-Course overview and expectations
-Discuss videos shared prior to first session: Marjorie Kelly, Niki Okuk, Doug Rushkoff
-Wiki Demo
-Traditional business learning vs. Future Studio
-Investing in Futures game
Session 2: September 19
-Discuss Kate Raworth video and readings
-Where we are at now: global conditions (group brainstorm and discussion)
-Primer / demo on conducting research
-Discussion of assignment to apply this work to regional context
View / Read:
–Kate Raworth talk from Regenerative Futures
–Neoliberalism: the idea that swallowed the world, Stephen Metcalf, The Guardian.
–Income Inequality Visited 60 Years Later: Piketty vs Kuznets, Ivan Lyubimov, Russian Journal of Economics.
Campus Event:
-September 19, CAPA Symposium: Neoliberalism: the idea that swallowed the world, Stephen Metcalf
Session 3: September 26
-Discuss research on current regional conditions
-Possible, plausible, probable futures
-Watch Donella Meadows on visioning (In class)
Read and view:
–Enough With Problem Solving, Let’s Start Creating, Robert Ransick
–A World of Systems from Donella Meadows Institute.
Due:
-Conduct research on the region modeled on group work examining global conditions.
Session 4: October 3
-Discuss reading
-Presentation and discussion of ideas.
Read:
-Handout: “Creative Placemaking: How to Do It Well”, Ann Markusen and Anne Gadwa Nicodemus
–Three Artists Who Think Outside the Box, By Nikil Saval, The New York Times.
–Design for Action, By Tim Brown and Roger Martin, Harvard Business Review, 2015
Due:
-Extending your regional research work, do a psychogeographic assessment of Bennington.
-Using visioning and preferred future work as a guide, articulate ideas for a new enterprise, business or organization. What is it? What does it do? Who is it for?
Session 5: October 10
-Discuss reading
-Idea revision and feedback
-Class visit from Ben Hall ’04 of Russel Street Deli.
Read:
-What is Strategy?, Michael Porter, HBR
-The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy, Michael Porter, HBR
Due:
-Further revision and sharpening of your enterprise idea
Session 6: October 17
-Discuss videos
-Your MVP and strategy
Watch:
–Storyboard of the Lean Startup Introduction.
–MVP: Quickly Validate your Start-Up
–The Importance of Learning in Organizations
Due:
-Clearly articulated MVP
-Clearly defined strategy for your MVP
Session 7: October 24
-Discuss reading and SWOT analysis
Read/Watch:
-SWOT Analysis I: Looking Outside for Threats and Opportunities, HBR
-SWOT Analysis II: Looking Inside for Strengths and Weaknesses, HBR
Due:
-Apply SWOT analysis to your ideas
-How will you mitigate all threats and weaknesses defined in your SWOT analysis? (on wiki)
-Clearly defined prototype plan. This should include detailed steps/actions needed and a timeline for implementation (begin the work and complete prototype by Nov. 7).
Session 8: October 31
-Individual/team meetings with Robert and Charles
-Working session
Due:
-Report on prototype work to date (could be completed)
Session 9: November 7
-Market analysis / Competitive analysis
-Budget
-Creative Brief
-Updates on prototypes
Read:
–Competitive analysis and market research
Due:
-Business narrative draft in google document (shared) that includes research from the prototype work.
-Prototype work updates (including documentation).
PLAN DAY (No Class): November 14
Session 10: November 21
-Management
-Communication and presentation strategies
Due:
-Full business narrative final draft based on revised template (in shared folder on Google Drive).
-First round of creative (wordmark/logo, color palette etc.–if relevant to your enterprise at this time).
Session 11: November 28
Drafts of final presentation deck.
Session 12: December 5
Final presentation fine-tuning and practice.
Session 13: December 12
Final presentations.