We believe in a world where innovation meets empathy.
Organisational innovation is at the core of our work. . Based in Amsterdam, we’re a strategic design partner with deep expertise in Design Thinking, Service Innovation, and Organizational Transformation. Grounded in European innovation practices, we work with public and private sector organisations to tackle complex challenges, improve experiences, and accelerate meaningful change. Our mission is to help build a more inclusive and future-ready society: where people, services, and systems are better connected and truly human-centered.
With a rich legacy spanning over 20 years in the industry, operating across 25 countries, and boasting a team of over 150 human-centric design professionals from various domains, we bring unparalleled industry expertise to the table. Our worldwide team combines global reach with invaluable local expertise, working for clients such as FedEx, L’Oréal, Coca-Cola, Rainforest Alliance, ING, Michelin, PwC, Salesforce, Emirates NBD, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Rockwool.
Relevant, Responsive and Innovation Ready
We help organisations become truly future-ready by building their innovation capabilities and strengthening agile ways of working. Using customer insights and behavioural data, we guide teams from first ideas to evidence-based decisions, empowering them to identify real opportunities and develop human-centered solutions. As we build on your organisation’s unique strengths, we coach motivated teams, equip them with practical tools, and foster the cross-functional collaboration needed to turn vision into action.
Adidas | Elevating UX in Adidas Global Team-wear Customization Platform
The global team sports division at Adidas recognized a focused UX and user interface design strategy informed by user research and validation would elevate the entire LockerRoom experience. Together with the GTS team, we forged a vision for 2024, setting the stage for the platform’s immediate and enduring success, driving sales, engagement, and digital innovation in sports retail.
Treatwell | Leading through change with confidence and collaboration
This program equipped teams with the skills to communicate, collaborate, and lead with confidence. Through targeted trainings in coaching, feedback, listening, conflict resolution, and team building, participants practiced real-world applications and designed lasting habits. The result was stronger alignment and a culture where leaders and teams drive performance and growth.
FedEx | Merging human & Artificial Intelligence for innovation
We partnered with FedEx’s European Marketing team to explore how AI can enhance daily work and spark innovation through a human-centered approach. Participants engaged in live workshops, and inspiration sessions with AI experts. Guided by colleague insights, internal best practices, and targeted preparation, teams co-created ideas to improve work experiences, creating a vision for integrating AI into the company culture.
Coca-Cola | Robust employee services using Design Thinking
Our collaboration with Coca-Cola highlighted Design Thinking in HR. DesignThinkers helped redesign Coca-Cola's HR and employee ecosystem. We facilitated Design Councils with Coca-Cola employees and HR professionals to improve services, especially for hiring and onboarding. The result was a set of prototypes and roadmaps for implementing the pilots.
GIZ | Building human-centered capacity for EU-ready governance
We partnered with GIZ to strengthen human-centered capacity for governance by focusing on real user needs to improve public services. Teams applied a tailored Human-Centered Design methodology using the official playbook, moving step-by-step from understanding problems to developing and testing solutions. Working in teams with bespoke tools, they gained practical skills to optimize and redesign services, fostering a culture of innovation and citizen-focused governance.
L'Oréal | Future leadership amidst a department merger
The new Parisian department store offers L’Oréal Group growth opportunities through cooperation with the DFS Group. This partnership brings new ventures and questions about future strategic leadership. L’Oréal invited DesignThinkers to organize training sessions to co-create future success scenarios. Read on to learn about applying Design Thinking in luxury retail.
Tamimi Markets | Building a Unified Culture for Growth
Tamimi Markets has built its reputation on exceptional customer experience, product quality, and deep community engagement. As it aims to become the leading online grocery destination in the country, Tamimi faces a key challenge: achieving strategic alignment across all levels. By fostering co-creation and uniting leadership and frontline teams around a shared vision, Tamimi is strengthening collaboration and embracing digital innovation to drive sustainable growth.
Cartier | Future Employee Experience in Luxury retail
The Employee Journey project at Cartier involved participants from different departments of their global organization. This was essential in order to allow the co-creation of shared solutions. As a result, in a learning-by-doing manner, participants were guided through a Design process that enabled them to visualize future scenarios.
ING | Accelerating Innovation Processes to Improve User-Centricity
ING is preparing for future-proof innovation. Therefore, with facilitation by DesignThinkers, we accelerated an innovation process that embeds the users’ perspective in product & service development. As a result, we successfully combined Lean, Agile & Scrum with Design Thinking. In this manner, we empowered ING to bring relevant solutions to the market faster.
Emirates NBD | Fostering a Culture of Human-centric Innovation
Emirates NBD is taking strides to become a human-centered financial service provider. Beyond offering Design Thinking trainings to their employees, the organization aims to embed this approach deeply into the organizational culture. By developing long-lasting skills, Emirates NBD aims to ensure that employees can apply Design Thinking across projects and daily operations.
Pictet | Design Thinking in banking to boost innovation
Change and innovation often face resistance in conservative industries. Successful implementation of new ideas requires specific capabilities essential for growth. In this 1-year project, we introduced improved ways of working, like Design Thinking, at Pictet. We facilitated skills such as research design, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration at one of Switzerland's largest banks. Read on to learn more about applying Design Thinking in banking and investment.
Bloomberg Philanthropies | Creating new solutions
Every year, Bloomberg Philanthropies organizes the Global Mayor Challenge, where cities develop sustainable solutions for pressing local issues. As Design Thinking consultants, we assisted Rotterdam and Butuan in incorporating human-centered thinking into their final products. Read on to learn more about applying Design Thinking in NGOs.
Rainforest Alliance | A filter for innovation
Rainforests are our planet's green lungs. Companies aim to minimize their environmental impact, making Rainforest Alliance (RA) a valuable partner due to its high-value certification. RA seeks high-quality partnerships, requiring stronger criteria to filter applications. This improves innovation and ensures consumers of RA-certified products help preserve rainforests and biodiversity.
We unlock the innovation potential of your organization
Together with our clients, we turn deep customer insights into validated solutions, co-created and tested with employees, end-users and key stakeholders. We build and coach motivated teams through hands-on Design Thinking processes, ensuring they gain practical innovation experience. By actively engaging internal stakeholders, we help raise organisational awareness, embed a culture of learning and create the alignment needed for lasting impact and successful implementation.
“Our experts will guide you through a structured approach and establish a new way of working to sustain innovation.”
Our goal is to unlock your organization’s challenges and create lasting impact. With our hands-on approach, we empower you to lead change, providing the tools to identify valuable opportunities and nurture valuable solutions. As we build upon your organization’s foundation, we support motivated, innovation-ready teams and foster essential connections.
We believe that success can be unlocked through a deep understanding of users’ struggle for progress and by creating the right solution and associated experiences that address ‘users’ jobs’ well. To this end, every project we deliver is strengthened by deep customer insight and action informed by empathy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR APPROACH
Go Global or Local
Our worldwide team combines global reach with invaluable local expertise. More than just overseeing clients and connections, they adeptly communicate in your language—both literally and figuratively—ensuring accessibility through local front doors while harnessing an inviting and robust global network. From this global team of over 150 human-centric design professionals from various domains and industries, we strategically assemble the team best fit for your specific challenge. We’re proud to have partnerships strategically located across various corners of the globe, each bringing their own unique insights and connections to the table. Take a look at our regional partners below and discover how their collaboration enhances our global capabilities:
From Amsterdam roots to global impact
DesignThinkers was founded over 20 years ago in the Netherlands by Tim Schuurman with a clear mission: to help organizations design services that put people at the center. What began in Amsterdam has since evolved into a global network, with teams now based worldwide, and an expanding network across all regions.
We specialize in Design Thinking training, AI-powered innovation, and co-creation workshops that support governments and businesses in translating strategy into meaningful, citizen-centric services.
With a proven track record in public sector innovation and customer experience, we’ve partnered with organizations like ING, Bloomberg Philanthropies, FedEx, GIZ, Tamimi Markets, Emirates NBD, Red Cross, Salesforce, Adidas, and Treatwell. Our work is further enriched by collaborations with academic and innovation leaders such as Dr. Rob Collins (Oxford University) and Taghi R. Zadeh (University of Amsterdam). We’re committed to making innovation real by building capabilities, designing for impact, and shaping services that improve lives.
GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE OF OUR EXPERTS: ILANA VAN DE BOEL | ASSOCIATE PARTNER CLIENT STRATEGY
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