So let’s say you are already convinced that visual problem solving and sketching experiences is integral to your team. You are sure that there is nothing more you would rather see than a whole slew of people roll up their sleeves and break out their sharpies to collaboratively work out problems on giant rolls of paper all over the office. Everyone is on board and everyone loves the idea. One one thing wrong. No one is doing it.
So here’s the top three reasons people are unwilling to use this powerful tool.
- Fear of the blank page. There is something sacred about an empty page. It sits there waiting ominously filled with possibility. Added to this is not only the fear to sketch but especially to sketch in public. If only we can get people to stand up and sketch in front of others it removes a huge roadblock to collaboration.
- “I can’t draw” Another variant of this is ‘oh you artsy designer…. I like your horn rimed glasses why you do the drawings for me’. The thing to keep in mind for this sketching is not drawing. The goal is different. When you draw you are trying to effectively represent reality (even if it’s just the reality in your own head). Sketching on the other hand is a language of rapid iteration that uses visuals as well as words to effectively communicate your design solutions. Think of it as your own personal visual vocabulary.
- Untested skills. Having to perform without practice can be a very uncomfortable experience. Trial by fire while really effective with certain groups can be disastrous for others. What people need is a safe place to fail.
So how do we get people over these hurdles? Enter Visual Workouts! A safe place to to practice solving problems visually. Think of it as a gym for your mind.
How to make Visual Workouts!
- Record your workout; make a workout worksheet
- Name your workout. You want to give your workout a handle to people can refer to it and do it over and over again. Similar to running on a treadmill you aren’t going to see a difference right away you need to practice over time.
- Visualize the workout. create a visual for your workout that represents either the activity or the results of the workout.
- Ingredients. Identify the tools and materials you’ll need for the workout. Pens, paper, index cards, cameras. If you find yourself using a number of things often make a tools and materials basket and just carry it with you to the workouts.
- Recipe. A paragraph on how to actually do the exercises. Obviously this will vary from exercise to exercise but try to make it as concise and to the point as possible.
- Ways you can use this today. End your workout with actual actionable items for your team. Think about how many different ways
- Make it a routine. Ideally you want to spend 30 minutes three times a week working out. I tend to find that the actual time and frequency of the workouts will differ depending on the size and availability of the team. Cap it to a time period shorter than what people may expect. That way they want leave invigorated and wanting more.
- It’s an workout not a presentation. You want to spend as little time as possible going through the rules of the exercise and spend a lot more of the time actually making and critiquing.
- Learn from each other. hand the pen over to others and take turn teaching. Select one person to lead (facilitate) each session but rotate that role around the team. We all resolve and work in the world using our eyes and everyone has something visual to offer and if nothing else teaching can be the best way to learn. Share ownership and allow everyone to contribute to the lessons.
- You have to present and critique work. In many ways the workouts are exercises in collaboration. An integral part of design is being able to effectively critique each others work as well as take criticism. This is much harder than it seems. A weak critique will lead to a bad design (and yes there are bad designs) out of the door. Critique to harshly and you’ll trifle the whole team to play it safe and cover their asses. Practice doing this and you’ll strengthen your design skills and really start to build trust in each others methods.
- Document and share you work. You want to capture and document not only the exercises but people participating in them. Record the activity, take photos and share them on flickr. It will get help publicize your session as well get people excited about your company. Who doesn’t want to work for a place where you get to play with colored markers. I know that’s what I love most about my job.
Some visual workouts
Here are some of workouts and workout ideas
- Storyboarding for interaction design
- Visually representing design research
- Building your visual vocabulary
- Stick figure theater
- Scenario of the future experience (eg. vision typing)
- Visualizing a process (eg. visualize how to make tea?)
- Mind mapping
- 20 different ways to use post it notes
- Draw on others work
- Understanding complexity
- Documenting sketches
- Character sketching
- Whiteboard collaboration
- Storybording process
- Laying out the page
- Globals myths and visual metaphors
- Visual vocabulary
- Need finding
- Visualizing numbers
- Interactions over time
- Shared vision (eg. defining project goals)
What are some workouts of your own?
