Stanford Design Formation

Design Formation began as a scribble on a notecard—an experiment to help Stanford students navigate life after college with more agency, community, and purpose. Eight years later, it’s a core course in the Stanford d.school’s DESIGN major, guiding every junior through values exploration, storytelling, and real-world career experiences. Co-created with a team of soulful educators, including Bill Burnett, David Kelley, Kelly Schmutte, and Dustin Liu, and supported by a global network of mentors, it’s one of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the chance to lead.