A leading Central European Think × Act Tank producing world-class research, building executive capability, and co-creating scalable frameworks that accelerate transitions toward systems that are socially equitable, environmentally regenerative, and economically viable.
The world faces accelerating socio-ecological and economic challenges: climate breakdown, disrupted supply chains, inequality, and biodiversity loss. Traditional business models and design practices — often linear and short-term — are insufficient.
What's missing is a cross-disciplinary engine that synthesises design thinking, innovation, sustainability science, and business transformation powered by humanity and technology.
We operate at the intersection of design, innovation, sustainability, science, and business transformation. Our programmes are designed to produce real-world impact across academia, entrepreneurship, industry, policy, and civil society.
White papers, peer-reviewed publications, and frameworks at the frontier of Humanity + AI, deploying agentic AI for sustainability-driven innovation. Integrating design into business strategy for regenerative outcomes.
Executive programmes for leaders and businesses on design thinking and innovation. Developing and training partners in academic centres through Tech Transfer and Erasmus+ initiatives.
Evenings of Creative Leadership recognising talent and business leadership in sustainable transformation. Convening the ecosystem of change-makers across Romania and Europe.
Cross-sector co-creation labs with business, governments, and civil society. Partnerships engaging Agentic AI to tackle larger societal change issues at scale.
Translational outputs for policy makers, standards bodies, and corporate strategy. Bridging the gap between academic insight and real-world implementation.
We synthesise design thinking models with AI & technology, planetary boundaries, circularity, new business models, and society — creating frameworks for a genuinely regenerative economy.
Position design thinking as a core capability for societal transformation, shifting from product output to systemic impact.
Accelerate sustainable innovation adoption across sectors through practical frameworks and piloting programmes.
Serve as a bridge between academia, industry, policy, and civil society — generating high-impact case studies and actionable models.
Become the leading Think × Act Tank for Design Innovation and Sustainability in Romania and Central Europe, with global reach.
"DIIS exists to shift thinking — from product to system, from output to impact, from short-term gain to regenerative legacy.
We believe the future belongs to organisations that design with humanity, technology, and the planet in mind — simultaneously."
DIIS was founded by Emilian Dan Cartis — former Executive Director of Design Innovation in New York & London, and Exec MBA graduate at Imperial Business School on sustainability & Circular economy. He taught design thinking as visiting faculty at UAD Cluj (two years) and Politecnico di Milano (five years). He has founded Romanian Design Council as a give back program. He was born in Cluj-Napoca, and has lived and worked across Finland, USA, and the UK for the past 25 years.
DIIS operates alongside and in dialogue with Europe's leading institutes for sustainable design and innovation.
Whether you're an organisation seeking to accelerate your sustainability transition, an academic institution looking for research partnerships, a policy maker exploring systemic frameworks, or a leader who believes design can change the world — we'd love to hear from you.