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Part 1: Event Overview and Theme [Details]
Part 2: Opening Remarks and DTA’s Journey [Details]
Part 3: Design Thinker Contributions and Insights [Details]
Part 4: Expert Insights: Global Perspectives [Details]
Part 5: Expert Insights: Advanced Application [Details]
Part 6: Co-Creation and Community Building [Details]
Part 1: Event Overview and Theme
On June 27, 2025, the inaugural Design Thinker Meetup of Design Thinkers Academy (DTA) was held in Hong Kong, China, marking a significant milestone for the Design Thinker Network (www.DesignThinkers.org). Themed “Empowering Innovation: Adopting an AI-Driven Design Thinking Mindset and Technologies to Tackle Contemporary Challenges,” the event explored the transformative potential of AI-enhanced Design Thinking methodologies in addressing real-world problems.
Facilitated by Ms. Tiffany Liu and Mr. Paul Lee, both esteemed Program Leads at DTA China, and two global Design Thinking experts, Mr. Jeroen van der Weide (Dean of DTA Headquarters) and Mr. Daryl Lim (Dean of DTA Asia). The event provided a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration at both global and local levels. Their expert leadership ensured an engaging and impactful experience, inspiring participants to embrace Design Thinking 3.0 as a tool for revolutionizing their approaches to problem-solving and innovation.
Part 2: Opening Remarks and DTA’s Journey
Mr. David Chung, Dean of DTA China, opened the event by reflecting on the academy’s journey since its first Design Thinking Practitioner Course on August 15, 2019 (Details). Over the past six years, DTA China has conducted over 200 courses, trained more than 3,000 Design Thinkers, and evolved from Design Thinking 1.0 to the AI-driven Design Thinking 3.0 framework.
Collaborating with leading universities, such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the City University of Hong Kong, alongside global organizations like UNESCO and PMI, DTA China has spearheaded over 10 industry-based certification programs. These initiatives have solidified its role as a leading force in fostering innovation and collaboration across sectors in the Chinese world.
Part 3: Design Thinker Contributions and Insights
Participants from the first to the 27th cohort (Details) of the academy shared their transformative experiences, showcasing how Design Thinking principles and values have been applied to drive innovation across diverse industries. Their testimonials reflected the versatility and impact of Design Thinking in solving complex challenges both professionally and personally.
Ms. Angel Choy, a seasoned Design Thinker based in Shanghai, provided an overview of the evolution of Design Thinking in China. She highlighted how institutions such as Fudan University and Tongji University have integrated Design Thinking into their academic programs and how enterprises and government bodies have adopted these practices to enhance strategies, optimize operations, and drive innovation since 2010.
Part 4: Expert Insights: Global Perspectives
Mr. Jeroen van der Weide, Dean of DTA Headquarters, delivered an insightful session on Systems Thinking, breaking down complex challenges using frameworks such as the Iceberg Model and Story Approaches. Despite presenting virtually, his interactive approach kept the audience engaged, emphasizing the value of holistic and systemic solutions in Design Thinking.
In a keynote titled “Learning Powered by Empathy: Growing Beyond Competencies into New Capacities,” Mr. Daryl Lim, Dean of DTA Asia, emphasized the critical role of empathy in enhancing learning and development. He inspired participants to view empathy as a driver for awakening human potential, purpose, and transformative growth, reinforcing the human-centered essence of Design Thinking.
Part 5: Expert Insights: Advanced Application
In an engaging session, Mr. Paul Lee, Program Lead at DTA China, demonstrated the integration of AI into Design Thinking processes. Highlighting cutting-edge technologies capable of accelerating design research by up to 20 times, he showcased their application through a local case study: “Using AI Design Thinking Tools to Reduce the Sham Shui Po Fabric Market Community Development Project from 26 Weeks to Just 1 Week” in December 2024 (Details). This example illustrates the immense potential of AI in streamlining projects and achieving impactful outcomes.
Ms. Tiffany Liu, Program Lead at DTA China, led another compelling session titled “Design Thinking for Life Design: Life and Career Transition Assessment (Details).” Drawing on global research, she guided participants through a real-time assessment of their skills, strengths, and areas for growth. This interactive session empowered attendees with actionable tools to navigate personal and professional transitions with clarity and purpose, further demonstrating the adaptability of Design Thinking principles.
Part 6: Co-Creation and Community Building
The event concluded with a Co-Creation Session, where participants collaboratively envisioned the future of the Design Thinker Meetup. This interactive activity encouraged diverse perspectives, ensuring that future gatherings will remain user-centric, co-creation, and result-driven. Attendees emphasized the importance of designing events that further enhance the value of the network while fostering collaboration and creativity.
A dedicated networking session followed, allowing participants to build meaningful professional connections, exchange insights, and strengthen the collaborative spirit of the Design Thinking Network.
This first Design Thinker Meetup set a new benchmark for innovation-focused gatherings, exemplifying the transformative power of AI-driven Design Thinking to tackle contemporary challenges. The event’s success highlights the mission of Design Thinker Network (www.DesignThinkers.org) to foster a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for certified professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow together.
