Design
Driving Innovation Through Design Thinking
Overview
The Driving Innovation Through Design Thinking programme is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of how design can function as a strategic driver of innovation, rather than merely a tool for aesthetics or user interface enhancement. At its core, the programme aims to reframe design as a systemic capability that can influence organizational thinking, business models, and industry-wide transformation.
One of the primary objectives is to help participants develop a deep appreciation of design thinking as a structured and scalable approach to problem-solving. This includes understanding its principles—such as empathy, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and testing—while also critically examining its limitations and real-world applicability. The programme further seeks to introduce participants to robust frameworks, particularly the 7C’s of Concern, enabling them to navigate complex challenges through a methodical yet creative lens.
Another key objective is to enable learners to translate design principles into actionable strategies that drive innovation, resilience, and growth within their organizations. By studying cross-sectoral case studies and real-world interventions, participants gain insights into how leading firms have leveraged design to create new markets, reshape user behaviors, and build competitive advantage.
The programme also emphasizes the integration of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, as collaborative tools in the design process. Participants are encouraged to explore how AI can augment creativity, enhance decision-making, and enable new forms of human-machine co-creation. Finally, the programme aims to cultivate a human-centered mindset by embedding empathy and gamification into system design. This ensures that solutions are not only functional and scalable but also meaningful, engaging, and responsive to user needs, thereby fostering sustainable and inclusive innovation across industries.
Important dates & time
Important dates & time
*Dates and schedules are subject to change
| Dates | Mode | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 Aug 2026 | On-Campus, Mahindra University | Rs. 45,000/- + GST Per Participant |
B. K. Chakravarthy
Dr. B. K. Chakravarty, the distinguished founding dean of Mahindra University, is a visionary educator and innovator with a rich legacy of accomplishments. Before his role at Mahindra University, Dr. Chakravarty established the Shenoy Innovation Studio at IIT Bombay, a pioneering initiative aimed at cultivating a culture of innovation and design thinking among students and faculty. With a profound commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in education, and his leadership and dedication in driving innovation have left an indelible mark on the field of education and continue to inspire the next generation of innovators at Mahindra University.
Chaitanya Solanki
Dr. Chaitanya Solanki is an Assistant Professor at the School of Design Innovation, Mahindra University. Chaitanya holds a Ph.D. from IIT Hyderabad and an M.Des from NID Ahmedabad. He is also the author of the book ‘Me or We: Individualism and Collectivism through Six Contemporary Lenses’.
Programme Highlights
- 7 Concerns of Design Innovation | Creativity and Implementation
- AI as a thinking partner & Emerging Concerns around ethics, authorship and the evolving role of designers in the AI-enabled environment
- Role of Empathy in the Design Process
- Gamification Strategies for the Industry
Who Should Attend
- Managers and leaders involved in innovation, strategy, or transformation initiatives
- Professionals from business, design, technology, and operations roles
- Product, Customer Experience and design practitioners seeking to apply design thinking at scale
- Executives interested in human‑centred, AI‑enabled, and design‑led innovation
- Entrepreneurs and change agents addressing complex business or societal challenges
