The 17th edition of First Fridays brought together Goa’s creative minds for an evening of inspiration and learning. Hosted by the Creative Community of Goa in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India Goa Chapter and supported by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), Goa, the event delved deep into the transformative power of Design Thinking.
Held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Biz Nest, Co-Working Space, Workstations and Meeting Zone Patto, Panjim, the session featured Dr Sneha Bhat, Assistant Professor, Strategy & Consulting at Goa Institute of Management (GIM) who emphasised the importance of putting the customer’s needs and experiences at the forefront of the design process.
Stressing on how functionality, usability and aesthetics must all work together when designing, Dr Sneha explained, “At its heart, design thinking is about being user-centered. The process involves understanding the user’s needs and creating something that works for them. It’s about taking the user into consideration at every step of the way.”
Pointing out the difference between traditional tools like surveys, which provide data and statistics, and the empathetic approach that design thinking offers, she cited Apple’s game-changing decision to combine three products into one iPhone device. “The company focused on how users interacted with the device, how they wanted to scroll, zoom and navigate the interface. Apple didn’t just make a product, they designed an experience. They looked at user behavior and made it work, pinch to zoom, for instance, was created by observing users,” she said.
Dr Sneha walked the audience through the 5 key steps of design thinking: Empathise, Define the problem, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. And how each step is about engaging deeply with the user and refining the solution until it’s the best possible fit.
The session was a valuable opportunity for Goa’s creative professionals to gain new skills and perspectives on how to integrate Design Thinking into their daily work, whether it’s in product design or organisational strategy.
DS Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, addressed the gathering, highlighting how Goa is creating an ecosystem that supports the growth of startups, particularly in the design and product-building sectors. “We are focused on branding Goa as a destination for design and fostering creativity, with input from local startups and professionals. The Creative Community of Goa, formed by designers, is playing a key role in building this ecosystem,” he said, adding that a draft design policy for designers has been created and is being shared for feedback.
This edition offered yet another opportunity for Goa’s creative community to come together, exchange ideas and network, playing a pivotal role in advancing the vision of establishing Goa as the Creative Capital of India, a hub where innovation and creativity thrive.
