Rafael Zaragoza

Rafael Zaragoza is a prominent figure in the field of innovation design, serving as the Cofounder and Creative Director of Thinkers Co., an agency he co-founded in 2011 with Juan Gasca. Based in Madrid, Spain, Thinkers Co. focuses on applying innovative ideas through a process that emphasizes real user involvement and rapid prototyping to ensure effective solutions.13

Background and Education

Zaragoza is trained as an Industrial Designer, with a deep passion for understanding human needs and hybridizing concepts. His work is characterized by a strong emphasis on Visual Thinking, Design Thinking, and Human-Centered Design methodologies, which aim to create meaningful experiences and services.12 He is also involved in academia as a professor in the Master's program for Customer Experience Management at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid since March 2024.4

Professional Philosophy

Describing himself as a "Creativity Warrior" and "Utopian Thinker," Zaragoza believes in hands-on engagement with challenges and values the iterative process of design. His approach is encapsulated in his personal methodology called "80 días 80 objetos," which combines chaos and randomness to foster new ideas, emphasizing that the individual is the most significant asset in the creative process.12

Contributions and Impact

Through Thinkers Co., Zaragoza has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions that address real-world problems by involving users directly in the creative process. His work extends beyond design into education, mentoring, and fostering collaborative environments that enhance creativity and problem-solving skills among teams.135

For further insights into his professional journey, Rafael Zaragoza can be found on LinkedIn under the username rafaelzaragozaalvaro.