New in the Co-Leadership of the HPI d-school

Monika, what connects you to the HPI d-school?

Monika: I was a student here myself in one of the very first years. Our intensive year at the HPI d-school impressed us alumni so much that we subsequently founded the consulting firm Dark Horse Innovation in Berlin together. With the vision of becoming the most innovative company in Germany – we were young, naive and megalomaniac. We built the Design Thinking principles into the DNA of our company. A few years later, we actually did get a lot of press and awards for our unusual company – what a ride!  

I am happy to pass on what I experienced at the HPI d-school and I enjoy learning from and with other creative minds. That's why, in addition to Dark Horse, I have repeatedly worked as a coach for students and professionals at the HPI d-school.  

So it's fair to say that the HPI d-school has played a crucial role in my professional development. I am very happy to be able to help shape the institution to which I and so many others owe so much.

What potential of the HPI d-school would you like to further develop?

Monika: Empathy, collaboration, and iteration are central to Design Thinking. They are fundamental to all of the HPI d-school's programs, and our team takes great care to ensure that our students truly experience these elements. This is not an end in itself, but essential for the development of creativity.  

Design Thinking has become established in many companies and educational institutions in recent years – an impressive success story. At the same time, I see this as an invitation to the pioneering work of the HPI d-school to go one step further. We want to immerse students and professionals deeply in different areas of application for Design Thinking. We already do this in our studios. There, students can, for example, work intensively on sustainability innovations. We also want to use this approach to take a close look at other socially important topics such as mobility, health or cybersecurity.

From a human-centered and life-centered perspective: Why does the world need the HPI d-school?

Monika: Here at the HPI d-school, people can work together on real challenges. They can experience that it's okay and even helpful not to know the answer yet, not to agree, and to take detours to reach their goal. They learn that innovation is always a team sport and that tolerance of ambiguity is not just a complicated word. This experience is particularly valuable for young people and, in our challenging times, more important than ever.  

And then there is the interface between people and technology. In a world in which artificial intelligence is becoming ever more important, human creativity needs to be put to meaningful use. Here at HPI, we have leading experts in AI, a state-of-the-art Maker Universe, we have the HPI d-school as a space for experimentation and learning for truly new ideas, and the Engine as a way to bring these ideas to life through start-ups. With this broad range of offerings, students can develop and explore concepts and prototypes of all kinds, and see how artificial intelligence can create value for real people.

In two to three years, how would you recognize the thought leadership of the HPI d-school?  

Monika: I hope that people who want to make a difference will find their way to the HPI d-school. Even better: people who didn't even know they were changemakers before will leave with that knowledge after their experience at the HPI d-school. Here they get the necessary tools and the necessary confidence in themselves and others. When politicians, CEOs, NGO managers, club coaches, parent representatives, or volunteer firefighters use co-creative problem-solving strategies, we have achieved a lot.

Where would you be today without the HPI d-school?  

Monika: If my application to the HPI d-school hadn't been successful back then, I would probably have had a wild career between advertising agencies and saving the world. I almost certainly wouldn't have co-founded a creative consultancy but I would have probably ended up in a venerable company in my Swabian homeland (greetings go out!). But even more importantly, I would never have met so many amazing people! Some of them have become good friends and many inspiring companions, and I am incredibly grateful for that.

Thank you very much for the interview, Monika!