Panjim, October 2025 – The 17th edition of First Fridays, Goa’s monthly creative gathering, brought together design professionals, startups, and innovation enthusiasts to explore the transformative power of Design Thinking. The session, hosted by the Creative Community of Goa in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India (ADI) Goa Chapter and supported by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), was held at Biz Nest, Co-Working Space, Patto, Panjim on Friday, October 3, 2025.
The evening featured a thought-provoking session led by Dr Sneha Bhat, Assistant Professor, Strategy & Consulting at Goa Institute of Management (GIM). With an emphasis on empathy, user experience, and iterative problem-solving, Dr Sneha unpacked the five key phases of the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. She highlighted that design thinking is not just a method but a mindset—one that puts the user at the center of every decision.
Dr Sneha illustrated the difference between traditional tools such as surveys and the human-centered insights gained through design thinking. She pointed to Apple’s revolutionary design of the iPhone, where features like “pinch to zoom” were born from observing real user behavior. “Apple didn’t just create a product; they designed an experience,” she noted.
The audience, comprising designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and students, engaged deeply with the conversation, gaining actionable insights on applying design thinking across disciplines—from product development to service innovation and organizational change.
The event also featured remarks from Shri DS Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, who emphasized Goa’s vision to become a destination for design-led innovation. He highlighted ongoing efforts to nurture a startup ecosystem that prioritizes creativity, local talent, and product-building. “A draft design policy is now in circulation for feedback, and initiatives like First Fridays play a key role in strengthening Goa’s creative infrastructure,” he said.
First Fridays has grown into a platform where Goa’s creative and tech community converge to exchange ideas, build networks, and foster innovation. This edition further contributed to the broader vision of positioning Goa as the Creative Capital of India—where art, design, and technology intersect to build a future rooted in creativity and purpose.
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