“Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation. ”
Creative Training
We're ready to help you build the skills for what's ahead.
Hi, we're DesignThinkers.
What makes organizations thrive in times of change? At DesignThinkers, we believe it starts with people. Founded over 20 years ago in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, our mission has always been to help organizations design services that put people at the center. As innovation increasingly relies on both human ingenuity and technological progress, DesignThinkers empowers organizations to stay ahead. We help teams develop the critical skills needed to navigate complexity, combining human-centered design and AI-powered innovation to turn change into opportunity.
This Global Portfolio showcases our 2026 course offerings & innovation programs, alongside client success stories and ways to collaborate, preparing you to lead in a changing world.
Our work is further enriched by long-standing collaborations with leading academic institutions such as Oxford University, Harvard University, the University of Amsterdam, as well as innovation hubs such as DGA and DIFC. We’ re committed to making innovation real by building capabilities, designing for impact, and shaping services that improve lives.
The Future of Work is rapidly shifting.
These are the Top 10 Core Skills you’ll need by 2030.
The world of work is transforming at an unprecedented pace, driven by advancements in AI, technology, and global interconnectedness. By 2030, core skills across industries will undergo significant evolution. To navigate this shift, the future will require a unique blend of creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and a deep understanding of complex systems. As the landscape of work evolves, so too must the way we think, collaborate, and innovate.
At DesignThinkers, we are dedicated to helping you build the skills necessary to lead in this new era. Our curriculum empowers teams with the tools to innovate, collaborate, and harness technology with purpose. These are the essential skills that will drive your success in the future:
Technology skills
AI and big data
Technological literacy
Cognitive skills
Creative thinking
Analytical thinking
Self-efficacy
Resilience, flexibility and agility
Curiosity and lifelong learning
Working with others
Leadership and social influence
Management skills
Talent management
Ethics
Environmental stewardship
Source: World Economic Forum (2025), The Future of Jobs Report
Preparing your team for tomorrow's challenges.
By 2030, the core skills needed to succeed will have evolved beyond recognition. Luckily, we provide the core programs your team needs to stay ahead. We’ ve carefully selected these key competencies: Employee Experience , Customer Experience, Co-creation in Sales, AI-powered impact, and Capability Building to ensure your team is fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities of 2030.
Experience it for yourself. Our approach combines tailored solutions with hands-on training, enabling your team to apply these skills directly for measurable results. Build the future today and stay ahead of the curve.
IMPACT
WITH AI CAPABILITY
BUILDING
"I am always impressed by DesignThinkers' ability to design and deliver sessions that are both highly tailored and impactful, and their approach is deeply rooted in collaboration and adaptability.
" Sterre van der Laken, Salesforce Executive Program Manager Design-Led Data & AI Programs, EMEA
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CO-CREATION IN SALES
We ignite change
Culture
We shape AI-aw
innovation cultu
Our experts will guide you structured approach that in emerging technologies like establishes a future-proof w working to sustain innovat
Content
We solve tomorrow's challenges
We provide the means to bring real and viable solutions to your challenge, using AI-driven insights and validating those with real customers and key stakeholders through masterful presentation.
Capability
We train innova ready teams
Through hands-on training g, we empower your team to adopt a solutionoriented mindset and build confidence in applying emerging AI learning technologies to drive innovation.
Culture
Capability
Content
Now, let's get started!
1-Day Introduction to Creative Thinking
A high-energy 1-Day introduction of the theory and practice of Creative Thinking. Our philosophy is rooted in the principle of ‘learning-by-doing, ’ ensuring that you not only gain theoretical knowledge but also apply it in real-time situations. Your personal creativity will get a boost and you will learn how you can improve all parts of the Design Thinking process, with a focus on Ideation.
Throughout this dynamic day, you ’ll actively engage with and practice Creative Thinking methods that will directly impact your work.
"This course teaches you to step outside of your comfort zone and stimulate the creative process. "
Saud Alowayfi, Capital Market Authority
Creative Thinking may seem elusive, like an uncontrollable burst of inspiration, but in this course, we ’ll show you that creativity can be structured, focused, and repeatable. We will guide you through a range of proven techniques to help you generate, refine, and synthesize creative ideas. Creativity has an aura of uncontrollability. At the end of this course, you will have experienced the opposite. Creative Thinking is an effective process to solve problem statements for you and your team in the daily working environment.
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Why choose us? We're best in class for innovation.
Extensive Tools
We provide an extensive set of innovation tools that you can immediately put into practice (e.g., Stakeholder map & CJM) . After completing the course, you 'll gain exclusive access to our L&D library, packed with resources to continue your learning journey.
Expert Masterclasses
During each day, you 'll gain insights from expert-led masterclasses, where seasoned innovators share real-world strategies and lessons from the field. These sessions give you the tools and perspectives to navigate complex challenges with confidence.
Real-Life Challenges
You won ’t be working on hypothetical case studies - you ’ll tackle real-life challenges. By solving tangible problems, you 'll gain practical experience, refine your problem-solving skills, and leave with actionable strategies you can apply immediately.
Official Certification
DesignThinkers is accredited by the Dutch Council for Training and Education. After completing any of our courses, you ’ll receive a recognized official certification, validating your expertise and equipping you with a valuable credential to advance your career.
Prompting
We'll Support your process by using the latest AI applications. Prompt AI to generate ideas on your problem statement, present your persona to AI and ask your research questions, or make a prompt to enrich your CJM by simulating different situations.
Global Community
We’ re proud to welcome a diverse, global community of participants, bringing together professionals from different industries and cultures. That means plenty of opportunities for networking, fresh perspectives, and connections that can shape your future.
Participant Profile
A manager or team leader
…seeking to guide their teams in using Design Thinking in their daily work.
An executive or decision maker
…having solid experience with the Double Diamond methodology and the tools used in the Design Thinking process and looking to expand their facilitation skills.
Professionals and field experts A facilitator or moderator
…who aspires to lead Design Thinking and Co-Creation sessions with confidence.
…looking for in-depth training on how to integrate Design Thinking into facilitating projects & processes.
Our tools for growth
Stakeholder Mapping Research
Full access to all our DesignThinkers tools in the Online Learn & Development Library will be granted upon completion of the course. Building your Digital Toolkit
Customer Journey Evidence Mapping Ideation
Prototyping Storytelling
Persona Card
20-45 minutes
Individual or in groups
Sticky notes, sharpies
Idea Brainwriting Tool Service Scenario Map
Personas are used to define who are the customers you are trying to help with their specific problems. They can provide a range of different perspectives on a service, allowing your team to define and engage the different interest groups that may exist within your target segment.
Customer Journey Map
45-60 minutes
Core team
Sticky notes, sharpies
Creating a Customer Journey Map builds empathy by focusing on the present journey of the customer. At its best, this is a continuous activity to plot information about why your customers do what they do and how they experience interacting with organizations and/or services through different touch points.
-30 minutes
Sticky notes, sharpies 20-60 minutes
The Idea Brainwriting Tool is a simple and direct tool to start co-creating new ideas in a team. It pushes everyone to contribute in enriching and making ideas more detailed. Everyone in the group works on each other' s ideas by adding, eliminating, replacing and finetuning each idea.
Core team
Sticky notes, sharpies
The Service Scenario Map is a tool which will help you visualize the steps and actions your persona takes when using the service or product of your company. It is a visualization of the user experience, using the service designed based on the ideated ideas.
AI Prompting
Support your process by using AI for the different stages of the Double Diamond. Prompt AI to generate 5 ideas on your problem statement, present your persona to AI and ask your research questions pretending they embody the persona, or make a prompt to enrich your Customer Journey Map by simulating different situations. 5-15 minutes Core team
Laptop or phone
Mindsetters | Hands-free
Make pairs. There is going to be a competition making paper airplanes. Let everyone put their dominant hand in their pocket. Give the participants 5 minutes to make a paper airplane; Let everyone throw their plane from behind a common line. For throwing they can use their dominant hand.
Mindsetter | Hands-free
Make pairs. There is going to be a competition making paper airplanes. Let everyone put their dominant hand in their pocket. Give the participants 5 minutes to make a paper airplane; Let everyone throw their plane from behind a common line. For throwing they can use their dominant hand.
Mindsetter | Not a Banana
Start having the whole group walk around in the room. Whenever you see an object, point at it and give it a name that has nothing to do with it. (When you see a table, you call it a cat). When everyone understands, speed up the space. Stop for a while and share finding. Do people use association to connect words and objects?
Mindsetter | Step Clap Tap
No
Make groups of 2 Let the two group members facing each other and take turns counting to 3 together. As soon as the group gets the hang of counting, switch one number for a gesture, such as a step, a clap or a tap. This mind setter engages the brain and often results in a relaxed atmosphere and loads of laughs.
Mindsetter | Sheep Shed
needed
Make groups of 3. One person is the ‘sheep’ and stands in the middle. The other two are the shed and cover the sheep with their hands making a roof. There is one person tells the sheep to try to find another shed and the shepherd becomes a sheep too. The person standing alone is the new shepherd.
Mindsetter | Dolphin Show Mindsetter | 5 Changes
Make a circle and send one person out of the room. Decide who in the circle is the leader. The person who left the room at the beginning of the exercise may now come back and stand in the middle of the circle. The leader will start with gestures and everyone follows the leader. The person in the middle has to guess who the leader is.
Make pairs. Observe each other for 30 seconds. Turn around with your backs toward each other. Change 1 thing about your appearance. Turn around and identify the change. The second time, change 2 things about your appearance. Turn around again. Repeat a third time.
Outcomes, Objectives & Certificate
Core Skills & Applications
What to expect Learning Outcomes
High-energy Training
Learning-by-Doing DT Toolkit & Certificate Learning from internationally recognized facilitators
Multiple expert masterclasses
Did you know?
All our alumni gain unlimited access to our exclusive online L&D Library.
Human-Centred Mindset
Experience with practical tools & frameworks
Ideation & Prototyping (*AI)
Collaborate across disciplines Apply analytical thinking in practi
What's Included?
Your ticket includes a daily healthy lunch, snacks, beverages, course materials for personal use, and an official DTA certificate upon completion.
We value quality! We are accredited by the Dutch Council for Training and Education, ensuring high-quality learning experiences. Participants receive an Official Certificate upon course completion, with exclusive access to our Learn & Develop Library. KHDA Educational Services Permit: 633078
Price list*
Stepping stones for innovation
We open paths for innovation by helping teams rethink how they create value. Guiding organizations and individuals to see change as an opportunity, we translate challenges into clear directions for growth, building the mindset and capabilities needed to be future-ready.
& we shape capabilities. We solve challenges,
A profile for
One portfolio, infinite pathways. Whet
the top, we offer tailored programs at ev
level
Begin with the Basics. Advance with a Custom Training.
From Aspiring to Accomplished. Leadership Training for What’ s Next.
Elevate Your Leadership. Drive Strategic Success.
Foundational level
Are you an eager explorer?
Do you recognise this?
Lack structured creativity methods. Feel uncertain about where to start with innovation. Struggle to translate ideas into action. Limited confidence in using design tools or AI effectively.
What's in it for you?
Improved creative confidence and practical problem-solving skills; Ability to use and apply design & AI tools with purpose; Turn ideas into tangible results
Applied level
Are you a proactive practitioner?
Do you recognise this?
Struggles with balancing day-to-day operations and long-term goals. Difficulty making confident, wellinformed decisions. Teams lack alignment and efficiency. What's in it for you?
Improved team management and collaboration;
Stronger decision-making skills; Increased operational efficiency.
Executive level
Are you a limitless leader?
Do you recognise this?
Struggles to align teams. Faces resistance to change across departments. Limited time to explore new technologies. Finds it challenging to translate strategy into action. What's in it for you?
Enhanced strategic alignment across teams and initiatives; Strengthened leadership presence in driving transformation; Increased capacity to make future-focused decisions.
Meet some of our Facilitators
Our coaches and facilitators are all subject matter experts in the field of Human-Centred Design, and have extensive experience in providing project assistance and trainings in Design Thinking. You can find all of our coaches and facilitators on our website.
About what we do Expertise
We focus on creating value for people as the most effective way to drive project success and inspire.
"A
refreshing and engaging experience
that went beyond my expectations."
Tupo Muocha, UNICEF
Our worldwide team combines global reach with invaluable local expertise. We approach every challenge from the user ’ s perspective. We focus on creating value for people as the most effective way to drive project success and inspire growth for our clients’ businesses and organisations. inspire growth for our clients’ businesses and organisations. inspire growth for our clients.
Elmo Diederiks
Dimitra Tsertou Adela Cristea
Christina Lennartz
Joey Piliero Marjo Staring
Jeroen v/d Weide
Tim Schuurman
Ilana v/d Boel
Book a call
Other courses that may interest you
Immersive DT
Bootcamp for Professional Innovators* (AI)
Learn from highly experienced Service Design & Design Thinking practitioners by Masterclasses and experiencing DT with a real case.
Creative Facilitation Course*(AI)
Storytelling for Impact Course
Systems Thinking for Positive Transformation Future Leadership Skills Course
Master Facilitation by enhancing your skills with advanced techniques and refine your style to effectively guide groups, focusing on People, Structure, and Outcome.
Build confidence and master storytelling techniques to gain buyin and foster engagement with stakeholders through effective presentations and data utilization.
Join our Systems Thinking Course to understand the influence of your environment and learn how to influence factors to stimulate innovation and change.
Gain essential skills to being an effective leader of the future while learning to confidently guide your organization through disruptive and dynamic environments. * includes latest AI techniques
Get in touch via Whatsapp for questions big or small.
Some companies we'r proud to team up with
“I have been to a lot of trainings and conferences, but nothing measures up to the 5 interactive days at DesignThinkers ”
Prof.Douglas Tschopp, Director
