our playing field

Develop the objectives and identify the scope (what’s in, what’s out and what’s given), which helps define and connect to the inputs, outputs and outcomes and helps you figure out the right questions so stakeholders can have the right conversations. Conduct those conversations in parallel in appropriate groupings (individual, pairs, trios, small groups, and large group) to make things dynamic and interactive and have each conversation produce tangible outputs. Use the outputs to iterate. Record and distribute the outputs to each group to enhance next outputs.

The Details

A. Preparation Phase Work Plan [Design of collaboration + Design of Content]

We work closely with our clients to ensure that we clearly translate the event objectives into an experience that yields maximum results.

  • Co-create design approach with design team
  • Face to Face design meeting at the beginning
  • Weekly face to face or virtual meetings until event day 0
  • Site visit prior to event
  • Provide input preparation direction
  • Based on the objectives, what information do participants need in order to make informed decisions?
  • Finalize event design
  • Design team finalizes the show and iterates the work modules
  • Is there anything new to consider?
  • Are there any changes which will affect the work that needs to be done?
  • What expertise is required to do the work and what people are most suited to take it on?
  • Design environment for maximum effectiveness to get the work done
  • How do we design the space for the work to be done?
  • What are the constraints? How can we use them to our advantage?

B. Delivery Phase [Execution + Iteration]

1.    We deploy an experienced facilitation team to execute the event within a high performing role-based team structure.

  • Facilitator - this individual is the front of room person and lead experience designer. They function as an orchestra conductor, managing the tempo and activities from module to module throughout the entire experience.
  • Solution Designer - this individual manages and organizes the content needed for the work being done during the event. They are the secondary designer of the experience from a content perspective and function as the glue between the facilitator and the rest of the team
  • Process Facilitator - this individual is the process lead and sees that the disparate aspects of the experience come together seamlessly. They manage the team’s responsibilities, the process and the timing of the agenda
  • Creative Director - this individual is the lead creative for the visual and experiential content used, created or delivered at the event. They manage the creation of deliverables from a content perspective and work hand in hand with the Solution Designer to integrate design with content.
  • Content Illustrator - this individual is the artist who scribes the plenary discussions that occur real-time during the event. They deliver an incredibly impactful experience for the participants (while also working with the Creative Director if their work is going to be used in any of the deliverables).
  • Media Producer - this individual is the lead videographer and visual documenter of the entire experience. Generally, they record a summary of the work and interview strategic people who can speak to the goals and mission of the event.
  • Process team - these individuals make up the core process facilitation team who carry out the process according to the design that has been created. They have broad skills across many domains and can work across any role that needs to be performed for the skillful execution of the experience.

2.     Conduct final walk through (run of show) on day 0 of the event

  • We call this prep day or day 0 when the entire team of designers and executors come together and align on the final design of the experience
  • Course correction for minor changes
  • Final process run through from the relevant angles to help establish a tightly woven integration of design with process steps to deliver

3.     Key stakeholders placed in the right teams for creating the outputs

4.     SME’s bring relevant input, point of view, and present where appropriate

  • Used in a discussion format style rather than presentation style for “Explore” or level setting activities at the front end of the event

5.     Capture work in various digital and creative forms

  • Examples include iBooks, magazines, posters, infographics, videos, apps, etc; can be delivered based on the appropriate form for the outputs
  • Organize the outputs to serve different purposes: 1) for the team that will need to synthesize the content produced during the event and 2) for the entire participant group whom we want to remain engaged post-forum

C. Post Experience Phase

In order to maintain the momentum achieved, we believe in designing the interactions and deliverables that will represent the work that was accomplished and communicate the path forward in easy to digest creative forms.

  • Deliver output from forum into appropriate forms for the team who will be working to synthesize the material
  • Help create creative visual products of the outputs for distribution after synthesis team
  • Real time digital output (archive organized by chronology)
  • Experience video documentary for the regions with highlights of context delivered through sound bites and key interviews