Innovation is no longer a luxury. It’s a must. In fast-moving economies like Singapore, businesses face constant change, growing customer expectations, and pressure to stay relevant. Design Thinking has become a valuable tool to meet these challenges.
This people-first approach to problem-solving is not just for designers or creatives. It’s now used by global brands, government bodies, hospitals, and small teams alike. If you’re looking to grow your business or improve how your team works, these ten real-world examples show how Design Thinking Training can help.
What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a way of solving problems by putting people at the centre. It helps teams understand users, test ideas early, and improve solutions based on real feedback. It doesn’t rely on guesswork or long planning cycles. Instead, it supports learning by doing.
Design Thinking follows a few simple steps:
- Understand the problem
- Observe users
- Define the challenge
- Come up with ideas
- Build quick prototypes
- Test and learn
- Reflect and improve
Many companies also combine Design Thinking with Innovation Training to help teams apply these tools in daily work.
1. DBS Bank
DBS, one of Singapore’s largest banks, used Design Thinking to rethink how they deliver banking services. They wanted to move from being a traditional bank to becoming a digital leader.
By focusing on what customers actually need — not just what the bank wanted to sell — DBS improved their digital products, redesigned branches, and built tools to help users make better financial decisions. This shift made them one of the most respected digital banks in Asia.
2. GovTech
GovTech applies Design Thinking to improve how Singapore’s public services meet citizen needs. One example is LifeSG, a mobile app that helps people access government services based on life stages.
Instead of offering services in silos, the team studied real user journeys — from new parents to retirees — and grouped useful tools together. The result is a more connected, simple experience. That’s the value of good design in government.
3. Airbnb
In its early days, Airbnb was struggling. Bookings were low, and the company was unsure what to fix. They used Design Thinking to find the answer.
The team visited hosts and users, studied how listings looked, and discovered that poor photos were a major issue. Instead of building more features, they improved the photos. This simple, user-driven fix led to a major boost in bookings.
Airbnb’s story shows that Design Thinking doesn’t always mean big changes. Sometimes, small actions based on real insight can unlock growth.
4. Singtel
Singtel used Design Thinking to design new digital services. Rather than assuming what customers wanted, they spent time speaking with them, watching how they used their phones, and identifying pain points.
This helped their teams build apps and tools that made everyday tasks — like managing bills or data — more intuitive. The company also brought Design Thinking into its internal operations, improving workflows and team collaboration.
5. IBM
IBM invested heavily in Design Thinking to stay ahead in the tech space. They trained thousands of employees and made it part of their daily work culture.
One big result: faster product launches with better user feedback. Teams stopped working in isolation and started co-creating solutions with customers. IBM’s Design Thinking model is now widely studied in business schools.
The company also built an open-source toolkit that lets others learn from their process — a clear sign of confidence in the approach.
6. Homage
Homage, a Singapore-based care platform, used Design Thinking to improve how families find and manage care for elderly relatives. Instead of offering generic service listings, they spent time with caregivers and patients to understand their real challenges — from scheduling difficulties to trust concerns.
This led to a platform that matches trained care professionals with families based on needs, timing, and personal preferences. By focusing on empathy and ease, Homage has made quality care more accessible and less stressful.
7. Grab
Grab operates across Southeast Asia, but in each city, the customer and driver needs differ. In Singapore, their team applied Design Thinking to improve food delivery and ride-hailing experiences in ways that fit local habits.
For example, they streamlined app navigation for busy lunch-hour orders in the CBD, and adjusted pick-up points to suit dense urban layouts. These small, insight-driven changes improved efficiency, reduced wait times, and boosted satisfaction for both users and drivers.
8. SG Enable
SG Enable, Singapore’s agency for disability support, used Design Thinking to improve its service touchpoints for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Before, users often had to navigate multiple agencies and unclear processes.
By mapping user journeys and co-creating solutions with the community, SG Enable simplified application steps, improved information access, and made physical spaces more inclusive. It’s a strong example of how Design Thinking can create impact beyond business — shaping services that truly support people.
9. Stanford Hospital
Hospitals can be confusing and stressful. Stanford Hospital used Design Thinking to redesign their emergency room experience.
Doctors, nurses, and designers worked together to understand what patients felt and needed during visits. Changes included better signage, clearer communication, and more comfort in waiting areas.
These may seem like small details, but they made a big impact on trust, clarity, and care quality.
10. Theatre-Based Innovation – “Yes, And”
One unique approach to Design Thinking uses theatre methods to train teams. A standout is the “Yes, And” method — a technique from improv that encourages people to build on each other’s ideas instead of shutting them down.
This approach creates space for bold thinking, open discussion, and stronger teamwork. It is especially useful in workshops and innovation training programmes, where the goal is to explore without fear of being wrong.
Teams that use “Yes, And” become more confident, supportive, and creative.
Why These Examples Matter
Each of these stories shows that Design Thinking works in real situations — across banks, startups, hospitals, and public services. It’s not just a trend. It’s a practical tool for solving complex problems.
Here are some clear benefits:
- It helps teams understand users better
- It creates space for new ideas
- It supports faster and better testing
- It builds confidence and clarity at work
When used together with Design Thinking Training, these skills become habits that lead to better outcomes — not just in products but also in culture.
Make Design Thinking Part of Your Work
Singapore’s business landscape is fast, smart, and global. To stand out, your team needs more than technical skills. You need tools that help you think deeply, act quickly, and care about what your users actually want.
That’s where Design Thinking makes the difference. And with the right training, your team can learn to use it well — every day.
At the end of the day, innovation isn’t just about big breakthroughs. It’s about staying close to people, staying curious, and staying open.
This is the work we support at Think.Story.Speak — helping businesses in Singapore use Design Thinking and Innovation Training to unlock bold, human-centred ideas.