Build Your Creative Confidence Summer 2026

Build Your Creative Confidence Summer 2026

Design Thinking: A Framework for Rediscovering Creativity

We are all born creative! As children we were not afraid to be wrong. We were not afraid to be judged. We used to draw blobs and call them dinosaurs, but as we grew older, we became more cautious and analytical. That is what is holding us back from coming up with something original.

Solutions to the most pressing problems require creative innovators, critical thinkers and problem-solvers. Yet, we tend to play it safe and go for the typical, safe ideas.

Design thinking is a framework that helps us rediscover our creativity in problem solving. It helps us identify the problem, those who are affected by it (the user) and their needs, fears and aspirations. The user is placed at the center to be able to create insight-driven innovations.

Only through deep understanding of the user’s needs, fears and aspirations are designers able to create insight-driven innovations.


Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the design thinking methodology to solve problems more creatively
  • Plan and conduct effective design research, including user interviews
  • Understand problems from a human-centered perspective
  • Guide groups to effectively brainstorm innovative ideas
  • Create prototypes to communicate and test creative ideas
  • Experience a hands-on application of design thinking to a selected problem

Duration and Location

  • June 28- July 2, 2026 (4 days)
  • Sessions will run daily from 9 am to 4 pm
  • AUC New Cairo campus
  • Fridays and Saturdays off
  • Official holidays are already compensated for with extra hours

Fees

  • EGP 4,400 (price including materials needed)
  • The following discounts are offered:
    • 10% discount for siblings
    • 10% discount for AUC faculty and staff
    • 15% discount for AUC alumni

Who Can Apply?

Students aged 16+ years

Certification

All the boot camp participants will receive a certificate of participation from The American University in Cairo.

Transportation 

The AUC Bus Service is available for an extra fee. Details on the schedule will be shared before the program's start date.

Accommodation 

Accommodation is offered at the University Residences in case needed. 

About the Instructor

Karim Morcos

Karim is an experienced entrepreneur with a diverse background encompassing arts, technology, and service industries. His work is marked by a profound understanding of design thinking, cultivated through extensive coaching experience at diverse institutions, including the esteemed Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking. This foundation grants him a distinctive perspective that enriches his professional endeavors.
The expertise Karim possesses spans multiple domains, including technology product management, user experience analysis and design, and fintech solution design and development. He seamlessly combines his passion for education and technology, enabling him to excel in a range of roles. Notably, he has served as a computer science lecturer in higher education and has contributed his expertise as a services professional at Microsoft within the service industry.
Recognizing the growing demand for digital solution consulting, Karim founded Imperial Creation, a consulting firm dedicated to serving corporate and scale-up brands in Egypt. Additionally, he ventured into the realm of digital photography by establishing PABLO, an innovative app distinguished by its patented algorithm for creating captivating light painting videos.
Capitalizing on his extensive experience, Karim joined ERGO, a prominent innovation consulting firm, as a partner. Within ERGO, he collaborates closely with corporations, scale-ups, and entrepreneurs to envision and develop cutting-edge solutions that not only push the boundaries of innovation but also enhance the human experience.
Karim is a co-author of the book Design Thinking: Theory and Practice, discussing how the design thinking framework impacts startups throughout the different stages.
The academic achievements Karim has earned include a bachelor's in computer science and mathematics from the University of Toronto. Building upon this foundation, he furthered his education at University College London, where he earned a master's in vision, imaging, and virtual environments.

Refund Policy

100% refund of the program fees will be granted if the request is submitted at least two weeks before the course start date, or if the request is due to one of the following reasons:

  • Course cancellation
  • Medical withdrawal
  • Visa denial

75% refund will be granted if the request is submitted within the last two weeks before the course start date.

No refund will be issued if the request is submitted after the end of the last working day (4 pm) and before classes begin, including the weekend prior to the course start date, or after the course has begun.

Prices range from EGP3,740.00 to EGP4,400.00 (price depends on options selected)