In May 2019, I had the pleasure of participating in the Berlin Design Campus. It was an exciting opportunity to immerse myself in Berlin’s vibrant creative scene. This journey was filled with workshops, lectures by renowned German experts, visits to design agencies and product companies, and a chance to explore the global design industry firsthand. It was a perfect blend of learning, networking, and exploration with like-minded creatives.
What is the Berlin Design Campus?
The Berlin Design Campus is an initiative of the Projector Institute (prjctr.com), a platform known for promoting creative learning and development. Organized by Mike Rybachuk and Oleksandr Tregub, the Berlin Design Campus offers participants a week-long immersive experience in the city’s vibrant design scene.
The program combines interactive workshops, lectures by industry leaders, and visits to top design agencies and product companies. It provides an opportunity to explore global design trends, gain hands-on experience with innovative tools and methods, and network with professionals from across the creative industry.
With a focus on learning, collaboration, and inspiration, the Berlin Design Campus offers a unique blend of education and cultural exploration—immersing participants in both theoretical knowledge and practical insights from Berlin’s cutting-edge creative community.
Why Did I Join?
I had never been to Berlin before, but I had heard how it’s an exciting city full of contrasts. I wanted to spend a week in this inspiring environment, surrounded by designers from different parts of the world. It was a chance to meet new people, observe how European companies and agencies operate, and gain fresh insights through hands-on workshops. I hoped to come away with new skills, inspiration, and friendships.
What Did I Gain from It?
The week turned out to be unforgettable—but also more challenging than I initially expected. Why was it so demanding? Let me walk you through the journey step-by-step.
Day One: Mozilla Workshop
Our first stop was the Mozilla office, where we were joined by Vitaly Friedman. From the moment we entered, we were warmly greeted in their comfortable workspace and given a brief tour of the office environment.
After a 45-minute presentation about Mozilla’s work culture, we took a coffee break to prepare for the hands-on session. Our first task was focused on the Firefox mobile application. We were divided into four teams, and our mission was to improve the browser’s tab management, applying techniques introduced during the presentation.
Applying the Walt Disney Method
One of the most impactful methodologies we used was the Walt Disney method, which splits thinking into three distinct roles:
- The Dreamer – Generates visionary ideas.
- The Realist – Figures out how to implement those ideas practically.
- The Critic – Analyzes ideas for flaws and suggests improvements.
This was my first time using this method, and I found it extremely effective. It allowed our team to quickly identify promising hypotheses and eliminate those that wouldn’t work. We brainstormed solutions, drafted a prototype on paper, and refined it into a coherent concept.
Our Concept: Automatic Tab Grouping
Our idea was to introduce automatic tab grouping into categories, with a filter for frequently used tabs to enhance usability. When we presented our idea, it was met with enthusiastic applause, which felt incredibly rewarding. It was inspiring to see how a structured process could lead to creative problem-solving in such a short time.
Next Stop: SHARE NOW – Innovation, Workflow, and Insights Through Play
At our next stop, we visited a design company working with Daimler on the development of car2go, now integrated into SHARE NOW.
As one of the largest car-sharing platforms in Europe, SHARE NOW offers a free-floating fleet of Smart cars, providing flexible urban mobility.
During the visit, the team shared their workflow and processes, offering insight into how they approach design challenges. I was particularly impressed by how their 10-person team conducted UX research over a span of nine months. This extensive research provided them with critical insights that became the foundation for building an efficient and well-aligned project. Their methodical approach demonstrated the value of deep user understanding in driving meaningful product improvements.
We also participated in LEGO Serious Play, a methodology that uses LEGO bricks to visualize ideas and spark creative problem-solving. This hands-on activity revealed how play can enhance collaboration and uncover hidden insights. Each model we built represented a potential solution or process enhancement, helping us think beyond conventional approaches. Through storytelling and discussion, we explored ways to refine user experiences and address key mobility challenges, all while keeping sustainability and efficiency in focus.
This experience illustrated how thorough research, playful collaboration, and structured workflows can converge to create innovative solutions in mobility services.
The first day was long, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Exploring Berlin through a design lens revealed the city’s beauty—not just in its aesthetics but also in its creative energy and innovation.
Metahaus – Industrial Charm and Award-Winning Design
On the second day, after breakfast at the hotel at 8:00, we took the subway to the Metahaus office, home to the Red Dot-winning agency MetaDesign, part of Publicis Groupe Germany. Located in a former transformer station, the space impressed us with its industrial charm, blending historic architecture with modern design. Despite the building’s age, it was remarkably clean, embodying the balance of creativity and order that defines the agency’s work.
We were greeted by Andreas (Partner), who presented MetaDesign’s portfolio and shared some of the ambitious projects they’ve brought to life. The presentation also featured impressive marketing videos, reflecting the agency’s expertise and the scale of their creative endeavors.
At the entrance, an unusual scooter immediately caught our attention. It turned out to be an official MetaDesign project, designed by Andreas himself. Equipped with a power bank and a wearable Bluetooth speaker, the scooter was a brilliant example of how the agency integrates practicality with playful, innovative design. This project perfectly demonstrated how MetaDesign pushes the boundaries of creativity, even in unexpected forms.
The visit to MetaDesign’s Metahaus office was an inspiring glimpse into how award-winning design emerges from unique environments. Their ability to seamlessly merge history, creativity, and functionality left a lasting impression and set a high standard for what great design can achieve.
Fjord Berlin – Sustainability Meets Creative Collaboration
Our next stop was the Fjord Berlin agency (now part of Accenture Interactive), located in one of the city’s creative hubs. Upon arrival, we were welcomed into a space that felt both innovative and relaxed, reflecting the agency’s focus on human-centered design and sustainability.
For this session, we split into four teams, each working on sustainability-focused UX challenges. The goal was to brainstorm user-friendly solutions that address sustainability issues, all while using large sheets of paper, colorful stickers, and markers. The exercise allowed us to think freely, experiment with ideas, and visualize concepts in a playful, hands-on environment.
The workshop was engaging and full of energy—a perfect blend of serious design thinking and fun collaboration. Each team developed solutions by building on sticky notes and visual cues, using the framework to rethink UX with sustainability in mind.
This experience at Fjord Berlin reinforced the idea that sustainability should be an integral part of design. It showed us how collaborative workshops, where teams work freely without rigid constraints, can spark creative solutions to real-world problems.
Evening Networking – Conversations, Beer, and New Connections
After our insightful session at Fjord Berlin, the evening unfolded in a more relaxed tone. We met with professionals from various companies we had visited and Ukrainians who had relocated to Berlin. The gathering was a perfect opportunity to exchange stories, share experiences, and build connections over beer and delicious food.
The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and engaging conversations about design, life in Berlin, and cultural experiences. It was fascinating to hear how people from different backgrounds had found their way into Berlin’s creative scene, contributing to its vibrant design community.
By midnight, we took the metro back to the hotel, eager to catch a few hours of sleep before the next day’s adventures. It was the kind of evening that reminded us of the importance of community and shared experiences, making our time in Berlin all the more memorable.
Zalando – Innovation at Scale in a Stunning Location
The next day took us to Zalando, located near the Mercedes-Benz area and the remnants of the Berlin Wall. Zalando’s commitment to real estate investment is evident—they own multiple campuses throughout the city, and the location we visited was enormous. The office design was breathtaking, blending modern aesthetics with functional layouts, making it a truly inspiring place to work.
Insights from Zalando
Zalando left us with several key insights into how they approach work and innovation:
- No Individual KPIs: One of the most striking aspects of their workflow is that KPIs are set for the team on a quarterly basis, rather than individually. This fosters collaboration and alignment among team members, encouraging them to work towards shared goals.
- Incremental Conversions: Zalando focuses on making small, continuous improvements to the customer experience, ensuring steady growth and enhanced usability.
- Personal Shopping Experience: A key part of Zalando’s strategy is creating a personalized shopping journey for each customer, offering tailored recommendations and experiences to meet individual needs.
Zalando’s visit was impressive on every level—from the scale of their operations to the thoughtful design of their offices. Their collaborative team dynamics and focus on continuous improvement left us with valuable lessons in both design and business strategy.
SinnerSchrader – Unraveling Complexity with Event Storming
The following day, we visited SinnerSchrader, a leading digital agency known for its innovative approach to product and service design. Their office had an open and creative atmosphere, setting the perfect tone for the Event Storming workshop we participated in.
Event Storming Workshop
Event Storming is a powerful technique for visualizing and analyzing complex processes. During the session, we mapped out workflows step-by-step on a large canvas using sticky notes and visual markers. The exercise encouraged us to identify bottlenecks, align ideas, and uncover hidden opportunities for improvement.
The workshop emphasized:
- Collaboration over hierarchy, bringing together participants from different roles to explore a shared understanding of processes.
- Breaking down complex workflows into smaller events, making it easier to grasp how different components interact.
- Encouraging open discussion and debate, fostering creativity and new solutions through diverse perspectives.
The session at SinnerSchrader showed us how Event Storming can simplify complexity and spark innovative solutions. It was an engaging way to learn how to visualize processes collaboratively, helping teams align and optimize workflows effectively.
This visit highlighted how creative problem-solving techniques like Event Storming can drive both innovation and efficiency in modern digital design.
Workshop with Vitaly Friedman and Matteo Cavucci – Crafting the Customer Journey
Our final sessions featured workshops with Vitaly Friedman and Matteo Cavucci, both renowned experts in UX design and product thinking. These workshops provided hands-on experience with customer journey mapping and interface sketching, offering deep insights into user-centered design.
Building the Customer Journey Map
In this session, we worked on a huge wall filled with sticky notes, creating a detailed customer journey map. One of the key takeaways was that the journey map should start from the end—when the job to be done is complete. This approach ensures that every step is designed with the end goal in mind, aligning the process with the desired outcome for the user.
Sketching User Stories
Armed with sketchbooks and pencils, we moved on to drawing interface ideas based on specific user stories. This exercise emphasized the importance of visualizing ideas early and iterating quickly. By sketching on paper, we could experiment freely, discarding or refining concepts without constraints.
These workshops highlighted:
- Customer journey maps help uncover key moments that matter most to users, ensuring purpose-driven design.
- Starting with the outcome ensures that every step in the process is aligned with user needs and goals.
- Sketching interfaces early fosters creativity and rapid problem-solving, making it easier to turn ideas into prototypes.
The sessions with Vitaly Friedman and Matteo Cavucci were the perfect conclusion to our time at the Berlin Design Campus, providing practical tools and insights we could immediately apply to our work. These workshops underscored the importance of focusing on outcomes and visual thinking to create meaningful and user-centered experiences.
Berlin – Reflections and Gratitude
In the final days, I enjoyed strolling through Berlin, indulging in street food, riding the metro, and visiting museums. Berlin left a lasting impression—it’s a creative, stylish, and youthful city, full of inspiration at every corner.
I’m incredibly grateful to all the participants of the Berlin Design Campus. It was a pleasure to meet and connect with more than 30 people over the course of the week. The combination of learning sessions and evening hangouts made the experience unforgettable. Each evening, we came together to exchange ideas, share stories, and immerse ourselves in the energy of the city.
This week in Berlin was not just about design workshops and knowledge—it was also about building meaningful connections and creating memories with an incredible group of people. Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey. I leave Berlin inspired, energized, and ready to apply everything I’ve learned to my future projects.
Would I Go Again? Without a Doubt!
Would I go again? Absolutely! If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Travel as much as you can, meet new people, and surround yourself with professionals in your field—in my case, digital product design. There’s nothing more inspiring than connecting with talented minds, learning from their experiences, and gaining insights that spark new ideas.
Meeting specialists from Mozilla, Daimler, and Zalando was truly a highlight. Their stories and innovative approaches gave me a fresh perspective on design and user experience, and left me excited to apply their wisdom in my work. A special shout-out to Vitaly Friedman—a true legend! I’ve been a long-time fan of Smashing Magazine, and working alongside him was like a dream come true.
This week in Berlin was more than just workshops and presentations—it was an adventure packed with creativity, new friendships, and unforgettable experiences. From building customer journeys with sticky notes to sketching interfaces with a pencil in hand, every moment was filled with inspiration and energy.
So, if you ever get the chance to join an experience like the Berlin Design Campus—take it! You never know what amazing insights you’ll gain or who you’ll meet along the way.
Leave a Reply