AIPO Hosts Design Thinking Workshop in August 2025

On August 27, 2025, the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe) successfully hosted a 6-hour Design Thinking workshop at CTC 313, facilitated by Mr Steve Chaves and Ms Mariela Alcaparas. The event gathered students and working professionals from NGOs and startups, eager to explore human-centered problem-solving. 

For many attendees, this workshop served as their first formal introduction to Design Thinking, a creative problem-solving framework centered on empathy, experimentation, and iteration. This methodology encourages innovators to gain a deep understanding of users, generate a wide range of ideas, and refine them through rapid prototyping and testing to create solutions that are both imaginative and grounded in real-world needs (IDEO, n.d.).

To bring these principles to life, the workshop guided participants through the comprehensive design thinking process, moving systematically from empathizing with users to testing refined solutions. A highlight of the event was the Building blocks-based prototyping activity, where participants built physical models to represent their proposed solutions. This hands-on method helped transform abstract concepts into tangible forms that could be examined, discussed, and iteratively improved.

Photo: Presentation of Ideas

Photo: Presentation of Ideas

Two compelling solutions emerged after a full day of collaborative work, each addressing different aspects of Mang Danny's (not his real name) experience as a jeepney driver. Both teams had worked through the same design process, but each identified different aspects of their situation to focus on. The diversity in these approaches showed how design thinking encourages multiple ways of solving problems. During the presentation of ideas, each group had developed concepts that reflected a genuine understanding of user needs.

Photo: One group’s prototype using building blocks

The first group created a comprehensive step-by-step plan to improve Mang Danny's livelihood. Their empathy-driven approach began with asking targeted questions to fully understand his family's needs. They then proposed partnering with government agencies such as TESDA, to provide training, followed by building business literacy and basic entrepreneurial skills to help manage future opportunities. Their long-term vision focused on creating sustainable income sources and eventually developing multiple income streams for jeepney drivers like Mang Danny.

Photo: Another group’s prototype using building blocks

The second group tackled the challenge of off-peak hours when Mang Danny struggled to find passengers. They proposed an innovative booking system similar to "Grab for PUVs" to attract more passengers, ease traffic congestion, and offer flexible payment options. The idea was recognized as innovative and potentially safer for both drivers and passengers, though the group acknowledged the importance of making the technology user-friendly for drivers unfamiliar with mobile apps.

After the presentations, participants and facilitators provided constructive feedback on each solution. This collaborative review process encouraged participants to consider how to make their ideas more realistic and scalable for the communities they aimed to help. The exchange highlighted how the iterative nature of design thinking leads to stronger, more viable solutions.

Photo: Group photo with the participants and facilitators

The workshop successfully demonstrated the power of human-centered design, leaving participants equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in applying these principles to real-world challenges.

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Interested in joining our next Design Thinking workshop on October 29, 2025? Slots are still available! Register now to secure your spot: https://www.aipo.ateneo.edu/designthinking