Double gold at Dutch Design week

Nihat Ahmadzada (CMD student) accidentally signed up for the Creative Jam during Dutch Design Week in his first year. “I wasn’t aware that I had to participate instead of just visiting. Looking back, it turned out to be the best mistake of my studies.” That year, he and his team won right away. “After that first win, I set myself a goal: participate every year and defend my title.”

The Creative Jam, organized by Dutch Digital Design, Dutch Digital Agencies and Night of the Nerds, is an event where nearly a hundred students work together in random teams to create a digital solution for the No Waste Challenge by What Design Can Do. With a twist: they only get two hours.

Nihat: “I basically did two days’ worth of work in two hours, even though I had only started my research the night before. This was my moment to show my design skills.” His strategy? Focus, task division, and persuasion. “Winning once can be luck, but winning twice is proof of hard work and team collaboration.”

From big problem to concrete solution

The challenges are broad and socially relevant. “We always started by narrowing down the problem”, Nihat explains. “Instead of trying to solve the entire theme, we chose a clear situation and target group.” In his first winning year, he designed a service app for IKEA products with digital manuals, an AI chat, and AR repair scans. In his third year, his team developed an interactive installation where young people learn to recognize fake news through a virtual maze. “By keeping the problem simple and concrete, we could build something understandable and pitchable within the time.”

Mentors as ‘invisible superheroes’

During the Jam, teams are guided by professionals from the field. “Mentors were like our invisible superheroes. They helped us stay focused, manage our time, and take responsibility. Everyone’s individual impact matters.” Nihat sees this combination of Design Thinking, collaboration, and time pressure as a direct reflection of his studies. “You learn to switch quickly, embrace new perspectives, and deliver solutions under pressure.”

Growth begins outside your comfort zone

The impact goes far beyond the prize itself. The double win led to internships at NN, Danone, and ING, where Nihat is currently completing his graduation project. Still, for him it’s about something bigger. “Luck is nothing without hard work. These experiences taught me to take risks without fear. And in the worst case, you still walk away with an amazing experience.” His advice to fellow students: “Don’t wait until you feel ready. It’s outside your comfort zone that you discover what you’re truly capable of.”