Design Thinking is a human-centered mindset and approach to design innovative solutions for complex problems. Small, multidisciplinary teams apply an iterative process and work in a flexible environment that fosters collaboration and creativity.
Today, many organizations have recognized that Design Thinking is more than an innovation method and understand it as the cultural dimension of digital transformation.
In the Design Thinking Basic Track program, students experience an agile learning and working culture that is essential for organizations that launch digital technologies. After completing the program, they carry this agile mindset into all kinds of organizations.
Project-based and experimental learning
The Basic Design Thinking study program is the first part of the one-year Design Thinking education offered at the Hasso Plattner Institute. Participants get to know the innovation method and mindset during the course of one semester. In our unique learning environment, they work on different projects in small, multidisciplinary teams. Together with project partners from business and society our student teams work on real-world problems, interview users, develop creative ideas and human-centered prototypes.
Our program team creates an open culture of experimentation that fosters creative confidence. During the whole semester, a diverse team of experienced Design Thinking coaches is accompanying our student teams in all project phases.
"The HPI D-School is an incredible place for personal growth. It creates a context where diverse mindsets and forward thinking individuals can come together and learn from and with each other. The principles and methods are human centered and gives a framing to envisioning a better more inclusive world for all people," says Hendrik Joost, HPI D-School alumnus.
Interested students and recent graduates can apply for the Basic Design Thinking program via our online application platform until 31 January 2020.
For your application, we need the following documents:
- Personal information
- CV
- Your personal T-profile
We are looking for T-shaped people and change-makers
T-shaped people are experts in a specific field (reflected by the vertical part of the letter "T"). Moreover, they have numerous additional skills and interests as well as a broad general knowledge (represented by the horizontal part of the "T").
At HPI School of Design Thinking we bring "T-shaped people" from all over the world together and enable them to cross disciplinary boundaries, to work collaboratively and to apply their skills and knowledge together with others to create innovative solutions for complex problems.
How and in what form you want to create your personal "T-Profile", whether as text, picture, diagram or photo, is completely up to you. Just use your creativity and illustrate your uniqueness.
You can find more information and important dates about the application process on our website.
Do you have questions about the application process? Visit our Open House on 15 January!
On 15 January, interested students have the opportunity to visit us from 4:00 – 6:00 pm to get an impression of our Design Thinking program and unique teaching space. Visit us, bring your questions and meet our students and the HPI D-School team.
We look forward to meeting you!
Photos: HPI D-School / Jana Legler