THEME
“Through Different Eyes. We live in the same world, but not in the same reality.”

We’ve chosen the theme “Through Different Eyes” focusing on the importance of empathy and how we experience reality in different ways. This is a very topical theme, connecting to the discussion on our polarizing societies, and it also allows us to explore empathy, a key quality of the Design Thinking mindset. We have invited an amazing group of people, our members of the cast, to help us look for the boundaries of empathy and how they overcame them.

The exciting new format of the conference, inspired by theatre, will help both speakers and audiences be engaged and surprised. In the true spirit of design thinking we will question everything, so prepare to be challenged.

MISSION
We believe that new approaches are emerging because our world needs new solutions to solve the problems we are facing. Design Thinking, and other human centric approaches, is emerging as a result. It is a symptom, not an end.

The mission of the Design Thinking Conference is to keep the conversation on Design Thinking moving forward and push the boundaries as far as we possibly can.

Design Thinking Conference is powered by the DesignThinkers Academy Amsterdam. DesignThinkers Academy is one of the leading design driven innovation agencies helping organizations around the world making the transition from being strictly product orientated and sales driven, towards being service oriented and human centered.

THE DESIGN THINKING CONFERENCE
The Design Thinking Conference is an interactive and high-energy gathering of experienced design thinking practitioners from around the world. We offer a platform to share knowledge and further your understanding of what is driving the changes we all experience in today’s world.

The Design Thinking Conference is not a traditional conference, but highly inspired by theatre. We have developed an experimental and exciting new format to challenge both the speakers (our actors) and the audience (supporting actors).

With this conference we aim to shake you up and enrich you with new insights, not just leave you comfortable and confirmed in your beliefs. No preaching to the converted, but experimenting, experiencing, having fun and being surprised.

FOR?
For Design Thinking professionals who practice what they preach in their own organizations or with other organizations.

WHY?
Because It is time to take the next step and truly deep dive into Design Thinking.

WHAT?
Deep diving Design Thinking means critically looking at it, constructively discussing it and surprising ourselves with fresh perspectives.
It means to reframe and be sure about the problem we are solving.
It means to feel and discuss how truly empathic we can be.
It means to experiment and to test out new perspectives.
It means to envision and discover how far we can bring Design Thinking.

HOW?
Instead of definitions, tools and showcases, we will focus on inspirations to question oneself, debates to get further, perspectives outside our comfort zones, all in togetherness and positivism, and with a bit of lightness.