Do Improv Comedians Make the Best Design Thinkers?

A teacher of design thinking at Dartmouth uses improv set-ups to boost his students' creativity.

Big design firms such as IDEO and Smart Design have made millions on their "design thinking" and "human-centered design process." Which is good for them, but doesn't necessarily teach you how to crib their mojo for your own endeavors. Peter Robie, an Engineering professor at Dartmouth, has an answer that would make Dunder Mifflin's Michael Scott: Copy improv comedy classes.

Apparently, in his...