NEWS

Our design workshops provide an excellent platform for leveraging innovative thought processes to define complex design problems. These workshops facilitate face-to-face interactions with clients, fostering trust while providing valuable perspectives and guidance on a wide set of creative ideas and strategic solutions.

But what exactly does a design workshop include? And where do you start?

Let’s delve into some recommendations regarding the structure of a Design Thinking workshop, along with a few handy tips to ensure a seamless experience.

What’s the difference between a design workshop and a meeting?

Meetings are for sharing information, in our design workshop setting, there is a noticeable ambiance: individuals are up and moving, exchanging ideas with an energy level that sets it apart from your average meeting. One of the main distinctions is the presence of a facilitator. The facilitator assumes control, guiding the group through a space where speaking out and sharing ideas is actively encouraged. It’s less about formalities and more about unreserved engagement. Essentially, a workshop can be seen as the extroverted relative of a meeting, where the interactive dynamics take center stage and the traditional rules undergo a bit of a shake-up.

What is a workshop facilitator?

The role of the workshop facilitator is to provide guidance during the session, develop appropriate exercises, and ensure that a fair and equal platform is created for open and sincere discussions. Their questioning will be confident and focused on generating genuine and insightful resolutions. Additionally, they will prevent conversations from veering off course or turning into mere exchanges. Having an external facilitator or someone who can offer a fresh perspective is vital to the success of the workshop.

What happens in a design workshop?

Under the guidance of the facilitator, each individual in the room is given the opportunity to contribute through various creative and interactive exercises. These exercises typically involve discussions around the company’s values and exploring ways to enhance the brand’s potential while staying true to these values.  These exercises are flexible in nature but yield conclusive results. The facilitator aims to achieve a general agreement among all participants before proceeding to the next task.

Who should attend?

It is crucial to ensure that only individuals who genuinely require participation attend the workshop. The presence of excessive individuals who are not directly engaged in the project can hinder productivity and create a sense of disarray.

Who should attend really depends on the nature of the workshop, but the list may include: 

• Key stakeholders
• Designers
• Developers
• Business Analysts
• Product management
• Sales and customer services

What do we achieve?

A design workshop offers numerous advantages for the design process. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing different perspectives to come together. The workshop provides a platform for the fruitful exchange of ideas and the development of inventive solutions.

Aligning vision and goals 

Design workshops bring together stakeholders to discuss and align the business’s vision, goals, and objectives within a structured environment.

Foster innovation through collaboration

A design workshop serves as an excellent opportunity to facilitate idea sharing, innovation, and collaborative building within a suitable timeframe to guarantee success.

Empower creative thinking

Workshops offer a unique environment for collaborative thinking and the generation of creative ideas, resulting in innovative ideas and fresh perspectives on the brand’s direction.

Encouraging team buy-in

Engaging key stakeholders in a brand workshop not only promotes a sense of ownership, but also encourages unity and cohesiveness within the business.

How do I arrange a design workshop?

If you’d like to talk about what a design workshop could do for your brand or next creative project please contact us at jake@jccreativesolutions.co.uk or call us on 07968 112871.