JAN 117-01 - Experimental AI & Creativity: Design Storytelling for the Next Generation

Course Times:  9:15 AM - 11:55 AM

Instructor(s): Jia Wu

Email: jw14@stmarys-ca.edu

Course Lab Fee: $120

This intensive 3-week January course introduces students to the foundational mindset, processes, and creative techniques behind AI-assisted storytelling. Structured around design thinking, students will explore how AI can enhance concept development, narrative construction, and visual storytelling across creative disciplines, from graphic design to spatial storytelling, from filmmaking to content creation. Through guided studio sessions, students will complete weekly hands-on projects during class time, culminating in an independent final project presented at the end of the term. No prior experience with AI is required - only curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to prototype, iterate, and express ideas across mediums using emerging technologies. Guest lecturer Marlene Emig will be joining Professor Wu in this course.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1.    Understand and apply foundational AI-assisted workflows for design ideation, creative storytelling and concept prototyping.

2.    Develop a design thinking process that uses AI to accelerate idea generation, research, and visual exploration.

3.    Create image and video-based concept outputs that communicate strong narrative and design intent.

4.    Use AI ethically and responsibly, demonstrating awareness of data privacy, plagiarism, and authorship.

5.    Present a final creative concept in any discipline (e.g., film, dance, theater, design, content creation) that shows originality, coherence, and emotional storytelling power.

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3