“Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation. ”
Online Foundations of Design Thinking
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!
"
Perfect course to refresh how important customer-centricity is and how to put it into action. "
Giovanni di Russo, Coca-Cola HBC
Capabilities:
You' re new to Design Thinking and eager to learn how to apply it effectively. The Design Thinking Fundamentals course is your starting point to explore the core principles, key tools, and mindset needed to tackle complex challenges. How do you truly understand your endusers? How can you create innovative solutions that meet their needs? This hands-on course equips you with the skills and confidence to apply Design Thinking to real-world challenges through collaboration and expert guidance.
Online Foundations of Design Thinking
*AI included
Sign up
Design Thinking isn’t just a process. It’ s a mindset that helps you navigate complexity and create solutions that truly resonate with users. Many recognize its value, but applying it effectively is where real impact happens.
Guided by our expert facilitators, this course gives you hands-on experience with essential tools like Stakeholder Mapping, Personas, and Prototyping, helping you move from theory to action. Working in diverse teams, you ’ll uncover real needs, align stakeholders, and develop solutions that make a real difference. Additionally, this course will show you how to apply AI tools to the DT process.
Online Foundation of Design Thinking
Problem Space
Introduction to Design Thinking Methodology & cases
Present team-specific challenge
Stakeholder Mapping Research Guidelines
Design Research
Solution Space
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
Define Pase: Reframing and Opportunity Areas
*Using AI in research
Stakeholder Map & Persona Problem Statement
Customer Journey Map
Opportunity Areas & Reflection Methods
Deliver Phase Pitching
Wrap-up & Reflection round
Testing & Validation
Iteration
Persuasive Selling
Now-Next-Future Personal Action Plan
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 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.
Our tools for growth
Stakeholder Mapping Personas
Customer Journey Mapping Service Scenarios
Prototyping Idea Brainwriting
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.
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.
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
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
