Primary aim of this thesis is to propose practical solutions to improve staff attendance at the International Week of School of Art, Music, and Media at Tampere University of Applied Sciences. In order to effectively apply design thinking approaches, methods, and principles an extensive theoretical research was conducted. This research presents global, university, and teaching staff perspectives on the international week; positions the event; and explores professional development, idea exchange, and networking as vital parts of the process. Further, approaches of design thinking, process utilized in development projects, and focuses on physical, mental, and social environments related to design thinking are described. In final part two solution concepts are proposed to increase attendance of teaching staff at the international week. Concept one, extensively based on principles of design thinking, is a proposal of a long-term development project carried out by representatives of degree programs. Concept two, not based on principles of design thinking, is a proposal of transitional solution suggesting minor changes in the week to increase attendance.