intentional environments: designing a culture of co-creation

surroundings or conditions

“We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us.”

Marshall McLuhan

SGLibrary http://www.flickr.com/photos/sglibrary/5499883074/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Source: Flickr, Monicaʼs Dad

SGLibrary http://www.flickr.com/photos/sglibrary/5499883074/sizes/l/in/photostream/Source: Flickr, Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg

Source: Flickr, Jokigen

Intentional environment

UX happens

UX happens (whether you design it or not)

Environment happens (whether you design it or not)

Setting up the conditions that foster great work

"What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity.”

Ed Catmull, PresidentWalt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios

Designing an intentionalenvironment

Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

1 Declare your intent

Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

1 Declare your intent

2 Take actions based on that intentyou

Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

1 Declare your intent

2 Take actions based on that intent

3 Activate the environment for others

team team

team

teamteam

team you

Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

1 Declare your intent

2 Take actions based on that intent

3 Activate the environment for others

4 Repeat for every project

team team

team

teamteam

team you

Reflect the unique players and circumstances of each project

Reflect the unique players and circumstances

Source: Flickr Opposite of Super

Clear the deck so people can participate in a new way

Show respect & care for the people in the environment

Source: Flickr SerenityRose

Principles & Practices

PixarPrinciple: It must be safe for everyone to offer ideas

Practice: Work-in-progress is shown to the entire crew for crit

ImprovPrinciple: Build upon ideas

Practice: “Yes, and...”

Source: Flickr, Mild Mannered Photographer

Adaptive PathPrinciple: Have mutual respect for each other’s point of view

Practice: 5 minute madness

Rail EuropePrinciple: One big team

Practice: Find ways to celebrate our clients

Anyone can activate an environment

Source: Flickr, LaughingRhoda

Now YOU!

Think back to something wonderful that happened to you on a project. (Something that you’d like to see happen again.)

Think back to something wonderful that happened to you on a project. (Something that you’d like to see happen again.)

What conditions made that wonderful thing possible?

Now, jot down a principle that

could enable it to happen.

A statement that serves

as the foundation for a

system of behavior or

belief.

ie: What’s the intent?

practiceprinciple

An activity or behavior

that people can do that

brings the principle alive

and makes it visible.

ie: What can we do?

Now, write down a practice that you and others

can do to make it happen.

A statement that serves

as the foundation for a

system of behavior or

belief.

ie: What’s the intent?

practiceprinciple

An activity or behavior

that people can do that

brings the principle alive

and makes it visible.

ie: What can we do?

Without talking, show & share

with a neighbor.

Start each day

with a fresh

& clear mind.

practice

principle

Tidy up the

project space at

the end of each

day.

Encourage team members to take risks.

practice

principle

Hold a weekly “yes, and” session to

push the design in unexpected directions.

You have in your hands your next intentional environment.

Encourage team members to take risks.

practiceprinciple

Hold a weekly “yes, and” session to push the design in unexpected directions.

Environments happen.Make them intentional.

Thanks!Teresa Brazenteresa@adaptivepath.com@TeresaBrazen

Kate Rutterkate.rutter@gmail.com@katerutter

#intentment