GSEM Alumni: Masterclass on design thinking

The seventh edition of our Masterclass series for University of Geneva Alumni in Economics and Management took place on Friday 26 February. The GSEM Alumni Chapter facilitates Masterclasses on relevant topics that are in line with our alumni’s experience and managerial needs.

Continuing with the new online format, expert on design thinking Alexis Moeckli, gave a masterclass titled “Design thinking: comment innover avec succès au sein de votre entreprise?”. Mr. Moeckli has been active for over 12 years in the innovation ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland.

Mr. Moeckli introduced the topic with a definition from Tim Brown, Executive Chair of IDEO: “Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success”.

After explaining the 5 stages of design thinking – empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test – participants were encouraged to apply these steps to a special Masterclass challenge. In breakout rooms, groups discussed how the GSEM alumni could develop a win-win relationship with its members.

This event brought together more than 60 alumni for a friendly moment of exchange and enriching discussions.