Understanding Superfans and Their Heroes

Our fundamental belief is that the most successful people, brands and movements are built around a hero and by extension, its fans. Understanding the connection between the hero and their superfans is what we’ll explore, a critical new skill if you want to build something of lasting value. You’ll deconstruct what made that connection possible and then use what you learned to construct a prototype that a young up-and-coming hero can use as a roadmap.

Through a radical team-based, hands-on, multidisciplinary class, you will interview superfans to come up with the design principles central to heroes. You will learn and utilize the principles of Empathy-Define-Ideate-Prototype-Test components of the d.thinking process. Why do superfans love their heroes? You’ll get to prototype and explore how superfans connect with their heroes, understanding how this connective tissue works will give your own ideas a boost. We’ll be studying heroes the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Michael Jordan and Stephen Colbert. You will hear from special guests and take a field trip to a racetrack. Sponsored by the Revs Program. Limited enrollment. FAQ and apply here: http://revs.stanford.edu/course/693