Creative Thinking: Idea Development & Problem Solving

Thursdays (6:30-8:30pm EST) & Saturdays (TBD),
March 31-June 20, 2026

Creativity isn’t a talent you’re born with — it’s a way of thinking you can practice, strengthen, and learn to trust.

In this live (online), hands-on course, you’ll learn how creatives generate ideas, push past obvious solutions, and turn curiosity into work that actually has impact. Through a wide range of exercises, collaboration, and guided experimentation, you’ll build the mental flexibility and confidence needed to approach any creative challenge with momentum instead of fear.
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About the Course

This live (online), 12-week course introduces students to foundational creative processes used across industries — from advertising and design to marketing, writing, and beyond. Through hands-on exercises, journaling, collaboration, and project-based exploration, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how strong ideas are formed, challenged, refined, and communicated.

You’ll practice generating a high volume of ideas, pushing concepts further than your initial instincts, and becoming more comfortable with experimentation, ambiguity, and iteration. Along the way, you’ll build resilience around feedback and develop confidence in your ability to contribute meaningful ideas in any creative setting.

This is a LEVEL 1 CLASS: No prerequisites. Ages 17+. Designed for students exploring creative careers, marketers and professionals seeking a deeper understanding of creative problem-solving, and anyone who wants to think more flexibly, confidently, and effectively.

This course is a prerequisite for Design Concepts/Strategy (Level 2) and is ideal for anyone who wants a stronger foundation before pursuing more advanced creative or strategic work.
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  • Move Past First Ideas

    This course is designed to loosen habitual thinking and help you get beyond the “safe” or expected answers. You’ll generate lots of ideas, test them quickly, and learn how to recognize which ones are worth developing further.

  • Learn How Creatives Think

    Understand how creative professionals approach problems differently — not through inspiration alone, but through repeatable ways of seeing, questioning, and exploring.

  • Build a Process You Can Rely On

    Rather than waiting for inspiration, you’ll learn multiple creative processes you can return to again and again — whether you’re working solo, collaborating with others, or facing a completely unfamiliar challenge.

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I’m Colleen Finn — a designer, illustrator, and creative coach who believes your creative solutions are as unique your fingerprint. Over my career, I’ve worked with hundreds of creatives to help them translate their ideas into concepts that connect.

In this course, I’ll share practical creative processes that can be applied to just about any kind of problem-solving, whether you’re making something visual, verbal, strategic, or conceptual. We’ll focus on experimentation, quantity, and curiosity as tools for getting unstuck and pushing ideas further than your instincts might initially take you. By generating more ideas, testing them quickly, and allowing space for unexpected connections, stronger and more surprising concepts emerge. My goal is to help you build confidence in the messy middle of the process — where the most interesting, impactful ideas are usually hiding.

Cool people say cool things about Colleen

“I studied under Colleen for almost two years. I swear on my unborn idea babies that everything that comes out of this woman's mouth is pure brilliance. It's honestly a little scary how she could rattle off idea after idea after badass idea in seconds. It's sickening. In fact, I think there should be a medical term for her level of creativity. Her brain should be studied. Seriously. ”

Kervs - Creative Director, Wieden + Kennedy

“Colleen has taught me so many things I didn't know and can whip out a comp in no time. Not only does she have expert level skills, but she is always one step ahead on the newest tricks and trends in design. Her work is stunning and it gives her the unique ability to be an excellent critic of the work of others. She understands concepts and execution faster than anyone I've encountered and rattles off 15 ideas on how to make things better in 2 minutes flat.”

Tayllor Sembler - Creative Director

“Colleen is truly a creative genius. I have never encountered anybody else that has a mind that works like hers. While you are pitching an idea to her she is solving problems you didn't even realize you had. She gets things nobody else does. I thought I was an outside-the-box thinker until I met Colleen and then I realized she never even had a box in the first place. She lives off of creating like nobody I've ever seen. She has sharpened her mind into a creative tool that most could only dream of honing. ”

Hutton Graham - Ret. Copywriter/Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Course Investment

In addition to a single payment, we offer a 2-month payment plan.
(This course has a max of 8 students)

But wait, there's more!

Since the founder of our academy is also a coach for Creatives, we wanted to give you a bunch of great bonuses, on top of the amazing things you'll be learning in this course!!

  • Time Management for Creatives

    Helping you Herd your Mental Cats

    Before your classes even begin, we provide this super fun and invaluable LIVE (online) Time Managment workshop. 50% how to increase productivity with fewer bumps in the road, and 50% how good time management benefits your mental well-being.

  • Creator Archetypes Workshop

    Who are you?!

    Learn the strengths and challenges of the 10 Creator Archetypes. Figure out which you relate to the most and how to create balance in your life and work.

  • One-on-One Coaching Session!

    Making the most of your time in the Fort

    On week 10 (of 12) in your course, every student will receive a one-on-one 60 minute coaching session with Colleen (our founder/coach). You'll discuss what you've learned, where you see things heading after the course is completed and have the opportunity to get guidance with regard to any challenges in your creative and career journey.

Creative Thinking: Idea Development & Problem Solving

Only 8 spots in this class, so sign up today!

Enroll today

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