Words and Images Design Center of the Philippines (Design Thinking Academy)
Editing The Kanto team
The Philippines makes a decisive step in realizing its vision of turning design thinking into a national competency. The DTI-Design Center of the Philippines announces its collaboration with Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) School of Design Thinking, a European hub for Design Thinking education, signifying progress in Philippine innovation. The signing event took place on November 15, 2023, at Menarco Tower, Bonifacio Global City.
The Design Thinking Academy results from a collaboration between the Design Center, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and HPI – d-school, founded in 2007 as a sister institution of Stanford d.school.
HPI annually trains over 3,000 professionals in Design Thinking, an approach gaining popularity in corporate digital transformation. Prof. Ulrich “Uli” Weinberg, Head of the Design Thinking School at Hasso Plattner Institute, co-founded the Global Design Thinking Alliance, now with 32 member institutions across 22 countries and 5 continents. More than half of Germany’s largest companies use Design Thinking for their digital transformation and cultural change processes. The Potsdam School of Design Thinking has become a model for educational institutions in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Stockholm, Cape Town, and Santiago de Chile.
Senator Sonny Angara, a key advocate for innovation in the creative sector, emphasizes the profound impact of the Design Thinking Academy. “This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for Philippine innovation or Filipinovation. It propels the Philippines towards becoming a stronghold of creative design and innovation talent within the ASEAN region and contributes to establishing a strong reputation for our country—Tatak Pinoy,” expresses Senator Angara.
The Design Thinking Academy, along with a Design Policy Lab, aims to cultivate innovation-driven governance, aligning with national-level policies such as RA No. 11904 – the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act. Executive Director Rhea Matute emphasizes the profound impact of the Design Thinking Academy + Policy Lab, citing its alignment with the recommendations of the Design Counts report. “This initiative strengthens the Philippine design innovation ecosystem, empowering our target beneficiaries to thrive despite the ever-growing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguous world that we live in,” Matute affirms.
The establishment of the Design Thinking Academy propels the Philippines towards joining the Global Design Thinking Alliance. Engaging over 40 beneficiaries, the academy brings together representatives from 13 Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers (RIICs) across 10 regions, collaborating with government policymakers and industry leaders nationwide for a Design Thinking Bootcamp.
Prof Ulrich “Uli” Weinberg describes Design Thinking as a mindset for developing innovative solutions in collaborative teams. The Design Thinking Academy marks a significant chapter in Philippine innovation, steering the nation towards a future where Design Thinking becomes a national competency, propelling design as a driver of competitiveness and innovation, and laying the groundwork for sustained growth. •
Roundtable Discussion
Signing of Declaration of Support Signatories
Moderator, Chief Design Services: Carla Mae D. Leonor
DTI – Competitiveness and Innovation Group Director: Lilian G. Salonga
DTI – Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director: Maria Rita O. Matute
HPI – School of Design Thinking Director: Ulrich Weinberg
Design Advisory Council, Member: Jenny Wieneker
Menarco Corporation, Founder and CEO: Carmen Jimenez-Ong
Women’s Business Council, Chairperson: Mylene Abiva
Rags2Riches, President and Founding Partner: Reese Fernandez
RIIC Advisor: Marella Castro
