case studies
We're balancing time and quality feedback on concepts around environmental graphics.
the challenge
my role
actionable concept reviews
Facilitator, Researcher
It’s the age-old problem of sitting in a room and talking about what’s in front of you. Sometimes it’s for the best to stop talking and start writing. That’s what we did for this concept review workshop, where in 2 hours we reviewed 10 concepts with the client, and walked away with clear, actionable next steps.
The loudest voice in the room is not always the most important or the most necessary. This client has a team filled with a variety of characters, and some silent observers. It was detrimental that whatever we made allowed for an even voting and playing field across the group.
project partner
Tech company
download
sorry, under NDA. But ask me about it!
the methods
Creating a Kick-A** Capture Mechinism
Again, we wanted to get away from the verbal feedback we were previously gathering to inform changes in the concept design. This meant we needed to create worksheets for each person to document their feedback. During the workshop, after each concept section, stakeholders filled out the relevant pages and then we would hold a discussion.
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It was a very important driving factor for the client that each concept included intention in three areas. We designed the packet for each person to write in if they felt the areas were not being met in any capacity.
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What is being made
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Why is it relevant
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How does it tie into the grand theme
On our internal side, it was really important that we could walk away knowing if the concepts could go into production or not. So we started off the discussion with a vote on does the concept
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Pass
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Needs minor changes
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Needs to be taken back to the drawing board.
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the requirements
Must-Haves
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Must be able to present, review, and refine 10 different concepts with the client in under 2 hours
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Must leave the workshop with clearly defined next steps on what can be kept, tossed, or iterated on
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Must use project values to evaluate each concept
the results
A productive 2-hours
Although not a single concept passed right away, often times the concept only needed minor changes, which were documented in the packet, understood by the design team, and easily updated for the next concept review.
When a concept needed to go back to the drawing board, we were able to look back on why the team liked previous concepts to use those qualities to drive the redesigns.
The packets also helped keep everyone on track and all stakeholders participating. All voices in the room were taken into account, and the suggestions from people in various roles were taken seriously.
