DesignThinkers
Global Portfolio 2026 “Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation.”
2-Day Design Thinking Fundamentals *AI included
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© DesignThinkers
Global Portfolio 2026
We're ready to help you build the skills for what's ahead.
Hi, we're DesignThinkers.
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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.
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The Future of Work: Top 10 Core Skills You'll Need by 2030
Our Propositions & Preparing you for Tomorrow's Challenges
A Profile for Every Level: Creating Your own Innovation Path
Reach out: We love to guide you to take the next steps
Global Portfolio 2026
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:
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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
Global Portfolio 2026
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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.
"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
IMPACT WITH AI CAPABILITY BUILDING EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CO-CREATION IN SALES
Global Portfolio 2026
We ignite change Culture
Content
We shape AI-aware innovation cultures
We solve tomorrow's challenges
Our experts will guide you through a structured approach that integrates emerging technologies like AI and establishes a future-proof way of working to sustain innovation.
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.
Culture
Capability
Capability
We train innovationready teams Through hands-on training and coaching, we empower your team to adopt a solutionoriented mindset and build confidence in applying emerging AI learning technologies to drive innovation.
Content
Now, let's get started!
Language
English or Dutch
Location
DT Amsterdam Studio or Online
Involvement
2 days of 8 hours
"Perfect course to refresh how important customer-centricity is and how to put it into action." Giovanni di Russo, Coca-Cola HBC
Capabilities: Design Thinking
Customer Centricity
Innovation & Applied AI
Global Portfolio 2026
Dates
See full Calendar 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.
Personal Development
© DesignThinkers
2-Day Design Thinking Fundamentals
*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.
Global Portfolio 2026
2-Day Design Thinking Fundamentals Sign up
*AI included
Day one
Day two
09:30 Kick-off
09:00 Kick-off
Problem Space
Solution Space
Introduction to Design Thinking
Stakeholder Mapping
Design Phase: Ideation
Brainstorm Techniques ABC Avalanche
Methodology & cases
Research Guidelines
Present team-specific challenge
Design Research
Prototyping and Validaton
Priority Mapping Service Scenarios Prototyping
12:30 Lunch break
Define Pase: Reframing and Opportunity Areas
Problem Statement Customer Journey Map
*Using AI in research
Opportunity Areas & Reflection Methods
Wrap-up day 1 & Reflection round 18:00 End
*Integrating AI in brainstorm techniques 12:30 Lunch break
Discover Phase: Briefing Stakeholder Map & Persona and Research
Programme
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Deliver Phase
Testing & Validation Iteration
Pitching
Persuasive Selling
Wrap-up day 2 & Reflection round
Now-Next-Future Personal Action Plan
17:30 Certification & Drinks 18:00 End
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Global Portfolio 2026
Why choose us? We're best in class for innovation. Extensive Tools
Expert Masterclasses
Real-Life Challenges
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.
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.
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
AI Prompting
Global Community
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.
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.
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.
Global Portfolio 2026
Participant Profile
Working professionals Executives or decision makers and field experts …looking to understand their customers and users, and who want to gain confidence in using Design Thinking to do so.
...looking to strengthen their ability to lead innovation and enhance the organization’s innovation capability.
NGO's and Government workers
Freelancers and consultants
…who want to understand their audience's needs and create impactful solutions for the public.
…who want to understand the needs and behaviour of their target groups, and how to help them kickstart innovation.
Global Portfolio 2026
Our tools for growth Preview
Exclusive Alumni Access for our L&D Online Library Full access to all tools & guidelines in the Online Learn & Development Library will be granted upon completion of the course.
© DesignThinkers
Stakeholder Mapping Personas Customer Journey Mapping Service Scenarios Prototyping Idea Brainwriting AI prompting
Persona Card 20-45 minutes Individual or in groups Sticky notes, sharpies
Idea Brainwriting Tool 10-30 minutes +4 people Sticky notes, sharpies
Service Scenario Map 20-60 minutes Core team Sticky notes, sharpies
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.
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.
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.
Customer Journey Map
AI Prompting
Mindsetters | Hands-free
45-60 minutes Core team Sticky notes, sharpies
5-15 minutes Core team Laptop or phone
10 minutes +4 people
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.
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.
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.
A4 paper
Global Portfolio 2026
Outcomes, Objectives & Certificate Main Goal
Learning Sources
Core Skills & Tools & Applications Mindsetters
What to expect
© DesignThinkers
Outcome
Certification & L&D Resources
Learning Outcomes
High-energy Training Learning-by-Doing DT Toolkit & Certificate Learning from internationally recognized facilitators Multiple expert masterclasses
Human-Centred Mindset Experience with practical tools & frameworks Ideation & Prototyping (*AI) Collaborate across disciplines Apply analytical thinking in practice
Did you know? All our alumni gain unlimited access to our exclusive online L&D Library.
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
Global Portfolio 2026
Let's Connect
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 solve challenges,
& we shape capabilities.
Process Design
Process Design
EX or CX Assessment
EX or CX Design Sprint
AI Masterclass
Future Leadership
Futures Thinking
DT & Agile
AI Agent Development
EX or CX Digital Toolkit
Stakeholder Management
Innovation Framework
Facilitation Skills Module
Employee Experience
Facilitation Skills
Sales & Co-creation
Storytelling Masterclass
Innovation Strategies
Design Sprint
EX or CX Design Project
Design Thinking
Systems Thinking
Effective Storytelling
Advanced Facilitation
CoursePortfolio Brochure2026 '25 Global
A profile for every level One portfolio, infinite pathways. Whether you're just starting out or leading at the top, we offer tailored programs at every level. Discover the right path for you.
Foundational level Begin with the Basics. Advance with a Custom Training.
Applied level From Aspiring to Accomplished. Leadership Training for What’s Next.
Executive level Elevate Your Leadership. Drive Strategic Success.
© DesignThinkers
© DesignThinkers
Course Brochure '25
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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.
Explorer's innovation path
AI & DT Training
Design Research
Innovation Playbook
Storytelling for Impact
Stakeholder management
Creative Facilitation
DT Toolkit for Government
Coachingon-the-Job
Systems Thinking
© DesignThinkers
Global Portfolio 2026
Applied level
Are you a proactive practitioner? Practitioner's innovation path 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.
Futures Thinking
Storytelling Workshop
Innovation Playbook
Creative Facilitation
AI Mastery Workshop
Stakeholder management
DT Toolkit for Government
Future Scenarios
Systems Thinking
© DesignThinkers
Course Brochure '25
Executive level
Are you a limitless leader? Leader's innovation path 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.
Program Design
Research Interviews
Leadership Toolkit
Creative Facilitation
Service Design Sprints
AI Agent Development
Strategy Alignment
Employee Strategy
Systems Thinking
Global Portfolio 2026
Meet some of our Facilitators
Elmo Diederiks
Ilana v/d Boel
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.
Jeroen v/d Weide
About what we do
Expertise
We focus on creating value for people as the most effective way to drive project success and inspire.
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.
"A refreshing and engaging experience that went beyond my expectations." Tupo Muocha, UNICEF
Christina Lennartz
Marjo Staring
Joey Piliero
Dimitra Tsertou
Adela Cristea
Tim Schuurman
Global Portfolio 2026
Get in touch via Whatsapp for questions big or small. Hey, DesignThinkers here, how can we help you today? I have a question about the 4-Day Innovation Strategy Program. Of course!
just drop our team a message and we'll get you what you need. Send a Whatsapp now
Global Portfolio 2026
Some companies we're proud to team up with! Prof.Douglas Tschopp, Director
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“I have been to a lot of trainings and conferences, but nothing measures up to the 5 interactive days at DesignThinkers ”
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