Design Thinking at Hasso Plattner Institute

The innovation approach Design Thinking provides the mindset and methods to develop creative and innovative solutions for complex problems. It fosters an agile culture of learning and working that helps managing digital transformation. Multidisciplinary teams work in a flexible environment and apply an iterative process to develop human-centered products, services or business models.

More on Design Thinking

What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking Pioneers

The HPI School of Design Thinking (HPI D-School) is at the center of the Design Thinking activites at Hasso Plattner Institute. Since 2007, the academic programs of the HPI D-School complement the IT study program of HPI. At Europe’s first innovation school, students from all disciplines get to know the mindset and methods of the Design Thinking approach.

HPI collaborates closely with Stanford University in Palo Alto and its Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. In November 2008, both institutes started a shared innovation research program - the HPI Stanford Design Thinking Research Program.

In addition to HPI’s Design Thinking courses for students, the HPI Academy offers Design Thinking trainings for professionals who want to address the challenges of digital transformation.

As a founding member of the Global Design Thinking Alliance (GDTA), HPI promotes the collaboration between Design Thinking institutions around the world. The international network further develops the methods and mindset of Design Thinking and promotes excellence in Design Thinking education and research.

An Overview of the Design Thinking Program at Hasso Plattner Institute

For Students and Project Partners

The academic Design Thinking programs at the HPI School of Design Thinking are open for students and recent graduates from all disciplines and nationalities. The HPI D-School offers the introductory Basic Track program, the Advanced Track program and several one-week workshops, the Global Design Thinking Weeks. In all three programs, students work in small, multidisciplinary teams and are guided by an experienced team of Design Thinking coaches. Every semester, they collaborate with project partners from NGOs, corporations, startups, universities or political institutions.

Studying at the HPI School of Design Thinking

For Professionals

Digital transformation, ever-faster product cycles, and change processes are major challenges, but also the source of great opportunities for companies and employees. The HPI Academy, the Hasso Plattner Institute's education provider for professionals, helps to face these challanges and offers a world-class curriculum in design thinking, digital leadership, entrepreneurship and IT. By applying practical teaching methods, enthusiasm and experience from countless innovation projects, our program managers equip clients for the challenges of our day. HPI Academy's offerings range from workshops in various aspects of Design Thinking, agile methods, and digital transformation, accompanying innovation and change processes, and digital product development.

For Researchers

In the Hasso Plattner Design Thinking Research Program (DTRP) at Potsdam and Stanford, researchers investigate the impact of Design Thinking, how innovation teams work together or how to implement Design Thinking in an organizational context.