Design Thinking: Creative Methodology for Solving Problems
Design thinking workshop
What is design thinking? An innovative, human-centered methodology used by entrepreneurs to design products, services and generate solutions to complex problems. It was made popular by the Stanford Design School and Silicon Valley design firm Ideo. What to…
Construction/Building Activity
Cooperative Problem-Solving
Creative Activity
Group Activity
Group Creativity
Ideation
Workshop
Description
What is design thinking?
An innovative, human-centered methodology used by entrepreneurs to design products, services and generate solutions to complex problems. It was made popular by the Stanford Design School and Silicon Valley design firm Ideo.
What to expect in this session?
A 90-minute, high-energy workshop offering a hands on design sprint. Every participant will be given a design brief and create workable prototypes to solve a real-life problem (which could be a problem within the organization).
Participants will work in pairs, and be guided through the 5 phases of the session (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test) with prompts from the facilitator, using workbooks and art supplies to essentially build prototypes.
Who is the facilitator?
Umbreen Shaikh was selected by the Ministry of Education in the UAE to go through a training program with Stanford University and gain certification as a Program Ambassador and trainer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education. She worked at Zayed University for 6 years, where she led the Innovation and Entrepreneurship course, teaching hundreds of students and training faculty and university administrators across the UAE in design thinking. She also facilitated a 400 person high level design sprint at the Zayed University convocation. In addition, Umbreen conducted pro bono design sprints for NGOs in Turkey to help address problems faced by refugee communities.
She works as a positive psychology practitioner, helping organizations and individuals achieve peak performance through coaching and trainings.
Benefits
-Builds creative confidence
-Problem solving skills
-Relationship-building
-Innovative thinking
-Group cohesion
-Ideation
-Artistic expression
Hosted by Umbreen Shaikh
About the Host
I am a positive psychology practitioner specializing in cross-cultural coaching and coaching for leadership, innovation, and professional and personal growth. I design and deliver content and trainings for organizations to maximize performance and employee wellbeing.
I'm certified through the European Mentoring & Coaching Council, and my coaching techniques incorporate creative tools to build confidence in clients, drawing on my experience as a certified trainer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education from Stanford University. In addition, I use positive psychology practices aimed at empowering organizations and clients to unlock their full potential and maximize growth.
I have extensive experience mentoring students and faculty in my six years at Zayed University, where my roles involved teaching, research and advising. I was engaged in two major UAE Ministry of Education initiatives; to promote innovation education through training university professors across the UAE as well as to develop and teach curriculum for one of the country’s first happiness and wellbeing courses.
In addition, I am deeply committed to social and humanitarian causes, with an emphasis on education for refugee communities. My training at the European University Institute in Italy led me to work with large international humanitarian organizations like Save the Children in Lebanon as well as regional NGOs such as Small Projects Istanbul and Karam Foundation in Turkey, where I designed and delivered positive psychology workshops for Syrian refugee youth as well as offered trainings for their employees.
Certifications & Credentials
EMCC Global Certified Coach
Stanford University Certified Trainer in Innovation & Entrepreneurship Education
MSc in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology
MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies
BA in Cultural Anthropology and Political Science
Client Requirements
If it's a large group, a microphone would be required. A screen to show some slides. A room with space for participants to work in pairs and to walk around for the interactive parts of the session
Focus Areas
Well-being/HealthDevelopment/Coaching
Location
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Languages
English
Travel Locations
Abu Dhabi
Globally
Corporate Experience
Significant
Session Types Offered
Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
Past Clients
Zayed University, Mamahood, Karam Foundation, Save the Children
Photo Gallery