DT WORKSHOP is a workshop that lets you get to know the DT methodology.

During four-hour sessions, participants learn what design thinking is, where it comes from, where it can be applied, how working with this approach looks and what stages it consists of. They get immersed in the DT process and experience what user-centered design is all about. They face a specific challenge and go through the entire design process, from empathy and defining the problem to generating ideas, prototyping and testing. They get hands-on experience with the principles, techniques and key tools used at each stage.

• Understanding what Design Thinking is and how you can use it to create innovative, user-friendly solutions
• Finding out what it means to design with people for people and what Human-Centered Design is
• Learning some chosen design thinking techniques and tools
• Getting hands-on experience with user-centered design
• Building skills to creatively solve problems using design thinking

• Workshops recommended for people who have not worked with the Design Thinking methodology before
• Number of hours: 16 teaching hours
• Number of participants: 12-16 people
• Meeting format: offline/online
• Workshop type: open/closed

DT PHASES are workshops focused on getting a deeper understanding of a specific stage of the DT methodology.

During one or two four-hour sessions, participants focus on a chosen stage of the Design Thinking process (project initiation, empathizing, defining the problem, idea generation, prototyping, testing, implementing solutions), exploring its purpose, available techniques and tools. Working in an interdisciplinary team, they gain not only theoretical knowledge but, most importantly, practical experience in the context of a specific problem or organizational need.

• Understanding the importance of a chosen DT phase and its role in the whole process
• Getting to know practical tools appropriate for that phase, to use in everyday tasks
• Experiencing user-focused project work
• Developing skills aimed at creative problem-solving

• Workshops recommended for people who want to dive into the Design Thinking methodology step by step in a practical and engaging format
• Number of hours: 4-8 teaching hours
• Number of participants: 12-16 people
• Meeting format: offline/online
• Workshop type: open/closed

DT TOOLS are workshops that expand your knowledge of project thinking techniques and tools.

The workshops help you understand the essence of a given technique (including graffiti wall, trend map, trend analysis, insights card, idea transfer map, crazy eight), the purpose of using it, the process, rules, guidelines, tips, benefits and limitations, expected results, and technical-organizational conditions.

• Learning additional techniques and tools of design thinking
• Gaining experience in designing a solution that meets the identified needs of potential users
• Developing skills focused on practical application of specific techniques and tools from different stages of Design Thinking

• Workshops recommended for people who want to learn more advanced DT techniques and tools useful during project work
• Number of hours: 4 teaching hours
• Number of participants: 12-16 people
• Meeting format: offline/online
• Workshop type: open/closed

DT FACILITATION is a course aimed at future DT process facilitators.

During consecutive four-hour sessions, participants deepen their knowledge on effectively leading teamwork. They get hands-on experience with the principles, techniques and key tools used in different phases of the facilitation process and gain the skills to run workshops and project meetings based on the Design Thinking methodology.

• Learning specific, practical techniques and tools of the facilitation process
• Developing attitudes, competencies, and skills that allow a facilitator to effectively support a team in its growth
• Building group synergy by creating a safe and creative environment and making use of each team member’s potential
• Designing team meetings in line with facilitation principles

Thanks to the course, participants understand their role as a facilitator and how it differs from being a teacher or trainer, and they can assess a team, enhance participation, work with team members’ strengths and understand the processes happening within the team. The facilitative approach allows them to draw lessons from both successes and failures.

• The course is recommended for people who want to gain skills in the practical use of facilitation when designing custom, participation-based solutions for identified problems
• Number of hours: 24 teaching hours
• Number of participants: 6-8 people 
• Meeting format: offline/online 
• Workshop type: open/closed

DTTHON is a two to three-day event similar to a hackathon (programming marathon). During intensive workshop sessions, project teams tackle specific challenges (i.e., real business, educational or social problems) provided by the organizers. Teams work using the Design Thinking methodology in the presence of (i.e., with access to) the challenge owners. With the support of facilitators, they create solutions for problems brought by invited organizations.

• Discover what it means to create with people for people and what Human -Centered Design is
• Experience creative teamwork in a project setting, considering different points of view, with a focus on the user and a specific problem to solve
• Develop skills related to creating custom solutions based on Design Thinking, combining competencies and utilizing the potential of the entire team
• Solve a specific problem important to a given organization (working on real business problems – challenges prepared by invited organizations)
• Networking and building relationships – the event brings together representatives from different backgrounds (industries, sectors, institutions), which helps establish valuable connections

The value for the owners of challenges using the DTthon formula lies in the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on problems occurring in the organization and the chance to implement the best solutions proposed by project teams. DTthon also fits perfectly into competency-based recruitment activities. The workshop format allows you to verify not only the theoretical knowledge potential candidates have but, more importantly, their ability to apply it in practice while working on real business problems.

The workshops make it possible to see how potential candidates behave during interactions with other team members, what motivates them to work, how they communicate, and how they handle difficult or stressful situations. The DT methodology gives insight into candidates’ skills and traits, like the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, openness to others, flexibility and adaptability, commitment, ability to plan and carry out projects, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills, and finally, the willingness to keep learning and take on new challenges.

DT CREATIVE DAYS is an event where participants design, and present innovative business solutions created using the Design Thinking methodology.

The event is divided into two parts:

PRESENTATION WORKSHOP (so-called pitch decks), where participants learn effective ways to present their concepts (just like startup founders do!). This part is led by experts from inQUBE – the University Entrepreneurship Incubator. After the workshop, participants present their ideas to organizations and other attendees of DT Creative Days.
Run by: inQUBE

DESIGN WORKSHOP, where teams collaborate with invited organizations and design solutions for a business problem proposed by the organization. All of this happens under the watch of a DT HUB facilitator, who guides the participants through the entire process of creating and choosing solutions. 
Run by: DT HUB

• Creating concrete (real) solutions based on actual business problems – working on challenges prepared by invited organizations
• Getting to know the Design Thinking methodology, which supports designing useful solutions that meet user needs
• Learning the principles of effective pitching (preparing professional pitch decks) and developing communication skills
• Providing the opportunity to test an idea in front of a real audience and gather valuable feedback 
• Networking and building relationships – a chance to connect with potential partners (presentations create space for networking with organization representatives, mentors, and other event participants)

DESIGN BEYOND THE FRAMEWORKS is a one-day event dedicated to designing experiences that really “work” – that inspire, engage and stick with the user for longer. It is a space where practitioners, students, and UX and Human-Centered Design enthusiasts come together, all aiming to create better products, services and interactions. The event combines expert knowledge, practical workshops and experience sharing – all so you can go beyond the usual patterns and design with more meaning, effectiveness and empathy.

• Understanding the Human-Centered Design approach and discovering tools you can use in this context for your design work
• Getting to know the latest trends in UX and user-focused design 
• Becoming inspired by the experiences of experts from different backgrounds – academia, business, and design agencies
• Building valuable connections with people who want to design with purpose and empathy
• Thinking outside the box – literally and figuratively

DESIGN BEYOND THE FRAMEWORKS is an event that sparks action – exploring and experimenting.

DT PROJECT TEAM is an intensive workshop-style work on a specific challenge, in an interdisciplinary project team, using the Design Thinking methodology. During consecutive four-hour sessions, with the support of a facilitator, team members create solutions for problems that occur in the organization – identifying real issues and designing proper solutions (products, services, communication forms, processes, working methods, spaces, development strategies and business models, educational programs, etc.).

• Discovering what it means to create with people for people and what Human-Centered Design is
• Learning specific, practical techniques and tools of design thinking
• Experiencing creative teamwork in a project team while considering different points of view and focusing on the user and the specific problem to solve
• Developing skills related to creating unique solutions based on Design Thinking, combining competencies and using the potential of the whole team
• Solving a specific problem important from the perspective of the organization and the project team members

The solutions created are the result of the whole team’s work – being the authors, team members identify more strongly with the developed concept and find it easier to understand and implement the solutions generated together (more motivation to bring about changes, greater engagement, natural transfer of knowledge and experiences within the organization).

• Sessions recommended for those interested in gaining skills in the practical application of Design Thinking when designing unique, innovative solutions – in response to problems identified within a given organization
• Number of hours: min. 28 teaching hours (NOTE: the number of workshop sessions/teaching hours depends on the scope of the project – the nature of the project challenge)
• Number of participants: 6 people 
• Meeting format: offline/online

DT ADVISORY performs consulting/advisory/support functions for organizations  applying the Design Thinking methodology. The role of the consultant here isn’t just about sharing knowledge of the method. DT ADVISORY is mainly about selecting the right techniques and tools for the organization’s needs, inspiring innovative thinking, and helping run processes and meetings focused on creating effective solutions. It helps in areas such as:

• Diagnosing the organization’s needs and challenges – understanding the business context, users, and problems that require an innovative approach
• Designing the Design Thinking process – adapting techniques and tools to the specifics of the organization (project team) and the nature of the challenge
• Project initiation, building the project team, and organizing its work
• Carrying out the Design Thinking process – support during various stages (empathy, defining the problem, brainstorming ideas, prototyping, testing)
• Implementing and scaling innovations – advice on putting developed solutions into practice and planning the next steps for growth.

• A more objective (accurate) diagnosis of organizational challenges – an external consultant (facilitator) brings a fresh, neutral perspective to the situation, helping to avoid bias and internal conflicts
• Better understanding of user needs thanks to a more empathetic DT approach, which leads to creating useful and valuable solutions
• Greater alignment of DT techniques and tools with the context, needs, capabilities and goals of the organization, the nature of the team, industry and scale of the challenge
• Smooth project execution thanks to professional support at every stage of the Design Thinking process (reducing the risk of project failure)
• Stimulating creativity and innovation in teams by engaging them in an iterative process based on creative problem-solving (inspiring the search for unconventional solutions)
• Strengthening collaboration and a culture of openness – developing communication skills and the team’s readiness to learn and experiment
• Speeding up the implementation of solutions – helping to effectively turn ideas into concrete actions (preparing for scaling) 
• Building lasting project skills – laying the groundwork for long-term development and adaptation to changing market conditions

• Consultations recommended for organizations, teams, and individuals who are discovering the value of the Design Thinking methodology and want to make sure they are doing it the right way
• Number of hours: depends on the scope of the project – the nature of the project challenge
• Meeting format: offline/online

FACILITATION is the conscious planning and leading of meetings, workshops, and project processes in a way that brings out the potential of the group, improves collaboration, and makes it easier to achieve goals. The role of a facilitator is to create a space for constructive, engaging, and effective team work, whether it ‘is about developing a strategy, solving a problem, introducing innovation, or making other key decisions. The tasks of a facilitator include:

• Designing the course of a meeting or process (goals, structure, stages, tools)
• Leading a group/team neutrally, without imposing content, but being mindful of the participants’ goals and needs
• Building an atmosphere of trust, cooperation and openness so that every voice is heard
• Supporting constructive communication and resolving potential conflicts
• Using techniques that boost creativity, engagement and decision-making.

• Increasing meeting efficiency – the facilitator ensures structure, pace, and purposeful actions, helping participants achieve concrete results in less time
• Engaging all participants – the facilitator’s neutral role encourages including different perspectives and activating the team, regardless of hierarchy or positions
• Creating a safe space for collaboration – facilitation supports an atmosphere of trust and openness, which promotes the exchange of ideas and constructive discussion
• Making it easier to work on complex problems – the facilitator guides the team through the problem-solving process, helping organize thinking and focus on the most important issues
• Strengthening team responsibility and agency – through facilitation, participants feel like co-creators of solutions, which boosts their engagement and motivation to take action
• Improving communication and teamwork among team members – facilitation helps break down silos, build agreement, and strengthen relationships within the team
• Adapting work methods to the goal and context – the facilitator chooses tools and techniques that best support achieving the intended goal

• Facilitation is especially recommended for: organizations that need support in building understanding, integrating actions and effective communication; entities going through change, when it is necessary to develop a common course of action, increase engagement or overcome resistance to change; project teams working on new solutions, innovations or facing a complex challenge that requires collaboration among many people; teams with diverse experiences and perspectives, where creating a space for equal participation of all participants is key; leaders/managers who want to run more engaging, effective meetings; participants in creative and innovative processes who want to work in an organized but flexible way that encourages generating valuable ideas
• Number of hours: depends on the scope of the project – the nature of the project challenge
• Number of participants: up to 16 people
• Meeting format: offline/online