Sparking Action: AIPO hosts Design Thinking workshop for students of Nagano University, Japan

On 24 June 2024, the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) conducted a Design Thinking workshop for the students of Nagano University, Japan to introduce the astounding problem-solving capabilities of creative thinking.

The primary purpose of the students' visit to the country was to gain firsthand insights into the Philippine market. Their visit focused on exploring local brewery operations, understanding the role of sari-sari stores in the economy, and learning about sustainability initiatives undertaken by breweries. Additionally, they engaged in cultural exchange activities and collaborative discussions with Ateneo students on entrepreneurial practices and market strategies in the Philippines, exposing the students to a new environment with different perspectives.

Powered by the Ateneo Business Resource Center, the workshop was facilitated by Steve Chaves and Mariela Alcaparas from AIPO, along with the assistance of several members who were tasked with providing further guidance to each group of students.

Throughout the session, the various concepts and processes of design thinking were broken down into straightforward steps and activities to guide the Nagano University students further. Each activity aimed to encourage a deeper understanding of the main concepts in design thinking: empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. These served as their base in formulating an empathetic solution that can likely solve the problems of their target markets.

The students were able to brainstorm and create practical yet empathetic solutions for their target markets. These solutions vary from discount coupons and promo concepts, and canned vegetables and fish for Sari-Sari stores; marketing concepts for beer, and non-alcoholic beverages for health-conscious individuals; and an Educational Funding process and Time Management System for impoverished families and working students, respectively. The thought put into each solution places a strong emphasis on how the design thinking method can create innovative ideas through a human-centric approach. These prototypes served as the basis of each group’s next course of action for the following week.

On 3 July 2024, the Nagano University students had the opportunity to present their outputs and findings to a panel of evaluators from Ateneo de Manila University. The presentations were composed of their prior research, interviews, survey results, statistics, and finalized solutions based on the solutions that they had created the previous week using the design thinking method. Each group was able to create their presentations with a high level of understanding and empathy towards the situations that their target markets were facing. 

By the end of the session, AlPO saw that the students had developed new perspectives and a stronger understanding of the design thinking method with an opportunity to take and harness their learnings when they return to their university in Japan.

Interested in how design thinking can help you and your team? Visit www.aipo.ateneo.edu/designthinking or send us an email at aipo@ateneo.edu. 
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