DT Foundations and Storytelling _ 2026 Course Brochure

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Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation

. ”

Design Thinking Foundations & Storytelling

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!

Design Thinking Foundations & Storytelling

This hands-on course blends the essentials of Design Thinking with Storytelling to help you turn user insights into meaningful narratives and impactful innovation. Over three dynamic days, you ’ll learn how to apply key tools such as Stakeholder Mapping, Personas, Customer Journey Mapping, and Prototyping. Simultaneously, you will also be exploring how stories shape understanding, build empathy, and inspire action.

3 days of 8 hours

"The course was a great introduction to the concepts of

Design Thinking, Customer Journey and Persona Mapping

Andrew Lyall, Adobe

Capabilities:

. "

You’ll work in small, cocreative teams guided by expert facilitators, tackling a real challenge from multiple angles. Along the way, you ’ll gain practical techniques for framing compelling narratives, choosing the right story to tell, and communicating ideas that stick. This course equips you to lead with empathy, think creatively, as well as bringing your solutions to life through story. Is the message you communicate about your product, service or idea presented in a way that is memorable and impactful?

Design Thinking Foundations & Storytelling

Sign up *AI Included

Problem Space

Solution Space

Introduction to Design Thinking Methodology & cases

Present team-specific challenge

09:30 Kick-off 12:30 Lunch

Stakeholder Mapping Research Guidelines

Design Research

09:00 Kick-off

Design Phase: Ideation

Brainstorm Techniques

ABC Avalanche

Prototyping and Validaton

Priority Mapping Service Scenarios

Prototyping

*Integrating AI in brainstorm techniques

Discover Phase: Briefing and Research

Stakeholder Map & Persona

Define Pase: Reframing and Opportunity Areas

*Using AI in research

Wrap-up day 1 & Reflection round

Problem Statement

Customer Journey Map

Opportunity Areas & Reflection Methods

Deliver Phase

Pitching

Wrap-up day 2 & Reflection round

12:30 Lunch break 18:00 End 17:30 Certification & Drinks

Testing & Validation

Iteration

Persuasive Selling

Now-Next-Future Personal Action Plan

Design Thinking Foundations &

*AI Included

Learning Objectives - DT & Storytelling

Storytelling Principles & Structures

Building Blocks for Impactful Stories

Strategy Development

Story Gathering

ABT Structure Clapboard Being Hollywood Hero's Journey

3 Act Structure

Your Storytelling Occasion

Define Target Group

Crafting Your Story & the Art of Visual Thinking

Protytyping & Testing your Story

Hands-On Tools

Art Cards

Skeleton Origin Story

Audience Persona

Audience Mapping

Steller Storytelling Framework

Story Mountain

6 Stickies in a Row

6 Word Story

Storytelling Feedback 09:30 Kick-off

Showtime: Pitch your Story

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

Working professionals and field experts

…looking to understand their customers and users, and who want to gain confidence in using Design Thinking and storytelling to do so.

NGO's and Government workers

…who want to understand their audience' s needs and create impactful solutions for the public.

Executives or decision makers

...looking to strengthen their ability to lead innovation and enhance the organization’ s innovation capability.

Freelancers and consultants

…who want to understand the needs and behaviour of their target groups, and how to help them kickstart innovation.

Steakholder Mapping

Customer Journey Mapping

Audience Mapping

Personas

ABT Structure

15-30 minutes

Individual or in groups

Sticky notes, sharpies

The “And, But, Therefore” structure helps you build a compelling and logical story. It prevents dull, episodic storytelling by ensuring each event leads to the next in a meaningful way. This structure keeps your audience engaged and invested in the outcome.

Skeleton Origin Story Freitag's Pyramid

30-45 minutes

+4 people

Sticky notes, sharpies

Your origin story is a powerful way to define who you are and what has shaped your journey. In the workshop, we explore this in pairs, but it can also be done individually. Understanding your own story helps clarify your values, motivations, and unique perspective.

Audience Mapping

45-60 minutes

Core team

Sticky notes, sharpies

Audience Mapping helps storytellers tailor their message to the right people. Not every story fits every audience—this tool ensures your story resonates by aligning it with the motivations, needs, and challenges of different stakeholder groups.

Stellar Storytelling

15-30 minutes

Core team

Sticky notes, sharpies

Stellar Storytelling helps you craft compelling stories that stick. This method is powerful because it connects your message to real human experiences, making it easier for your audience to care, remember, and act, while providing you with the foundational structure of expose, climax and resolution to create an impactful narrative.

20-60 minutes

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.

Storytelling Feedback

The Storytelling Feedback Form is designed to enhance the effectiveness of your story. It invites structured, constructive feedback from peers or audiences, helping you understand how your message lands. Storytelling is both an art and a skill, and this form offers valuable insights on clarity, emotional impact, credibility, and structure.

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

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.

*Dr. Robert Collins is a business consultant and educator who has been delivering courses through the University of Oxford for over 25 years.

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.

Other courses that may interest you

Immersive DT Bootcamp for Innovators (AI)

Strategy for Innovation Training Foundations of Innovative Design (Including AI)

Deep-Dive Bootcamp for Innovation leaders Future Leadership Skills (Including Strategic AI)

Learn from highly experienced Service Design & Design Thinking practitioners by Masterclasses and experiencing DT with a real case.

In this training, you will learn how to approach problems more systematically and detect emerging trends to transform them into innovation strategies.

This 3-day course combines the fundamentals of Design Thinking with hands-on applications of AI to help you innovate smarter, faster, and with more impact.

Learn the basics of Design Thinking and Facilitation in just 4 days. Work in co-creation in small teams to learn from participants with diverse industry backgrounds.

Gain essential skills to being a leader of the future while learning to guide your organization through disruptive and dynamic conditions, with the support of AI. * 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