The new HPI d-school – crafting tomorrow

HPI d-school in a nutshell

The HPI d-school at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam is a leading innovation hub, offering education and training in human-centered problem-solving. Inspired by Stanford's d.school, it fosters creativity, teamwork, and agility to tackle complex challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, it empowers students, professionals, and researchers to shape the future at the intersection of humans and technology.

Learn more about the HPI d-schools’ vision in the following interview with the leading Co-heads Prof. Dr. Falk Uebernickel and Monika Frech, Dr. Claudia Nicolai, Academic Director, and Flavia Bleuel, Head of Professional Development:

What is your vision for a shared future at the d-school?

Falk: We want to be the global leader for Design Thinking and design-led education, crafting a space where imagination, creativity, and innovation are at the forefront. We empower individuals to harness cutting-edge technologies like AI to create meaningful, human-centered change. Our pedagogy ensures that tomorrow’s leaders can bridge creativity and technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

Monika: Building on this vision, we recognize that we live in challenging times. The HPI d-school is a place to explore the exciting side of these challenges. Here, students, professionals, and researchers can experience the power of human creativity in a digital world. By combining design-led education with technology and curiosity, we empower change-makers from different domains to shape the future in innovative ways.

What is the starting point for implementing your vision?

Falk: To realize our vision, we need to nurture imagination and visioning as foundational capabilities for our students. This allows them to explore emerging technologies and serve real user needs while staying rooted in human-centered values.

Monika: Indeed, imagination is crucial, but equally essential are empathy, collaboration, and iteration – the core principles of Design Thinking. We need leaders who are not afraid to say, “I don’t know (yet),” who bridge gaps between disciplines, and who are comfortable with conflicting opinions. The HPI d-school is a space to experience and teach that culture, creating an environment where bold ideas can flourish and real impact can emerge.

Three departments under one roof – What are the basics of the offers for students as well as for professionals and researchers?

Monika: We offer a space – both physically and culturally – for wild ideas and bold experimentation. We want every participant to surprise others and themselves. With the HPI ecosystem and an international network of innovators and educators, we support students and professionals in their creative journey. This interdisciplinary approach is what makes our programs unique.

Claudia: Expanding on that, fostering sustainable innovation means creating spaces that encourage risk-taking, imagination, and collaborative learning. It’s about building an innovative learning hub that is part of a global community, striving to co-design a better future for people and the planet.

Flavia: And to make this vision a reality, we must emphasize collaboration and experimentation as key practices. By inspiring and enabling professional teams to tackle societal challenges for the long term, we cultivate an ecosystem where innovation thrives through collaboration – across domains, cultures, and organizations. Only by solving complex problems together can we truly craft tomorrow.

What can project partners and companies expect from the programs offered by the HPI d-school?

Monika: At the d-school, project partners are not mere “clients” for our students but real collaborators. Companies and NGOs who trust our students with their challenges receive insights and ready-to-be-implemented concepts. Our students are curious, critical challengers and sparring partners in the quest for meaningful innovations. Partner organizations in our academic programs should expect to get answers to questions they didn’t even know they had.

Flavia: Building on that, in a world of rapid change, mastering the synergy between people and technology is essential for success. We equip professionals to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Our workshops and programs blend proven methods with cutting-edge technology, focusing on Design Thinking, Agile and Tech-leadership, AI, foresight-driven innovation, digital and agile transformation, as well as digital upskilling. From mastering user-centered innovation to leading transformative change, our programs foster sustainable success.

We also offer customized, results-driven formats to meet the unique needs of organizations. With decades of expertise and a human-centered approach, we help turn challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.

Ultimately, we are d-place for crafting tomorrow. At the intersection of humans and technology, we provide individuals and teams with the knowledge and know-how to imagine and innovate impactful products, services, and strategies.

Let’s craft the future together!