Design workshops lay the foundation for the most critical steps in UX design – helping us understand the user, collaborate as a team, find patterns in data, prototype, and sketch ideas. In th is article series, we explore four vital attributes of organizing successful remote workshops and share some secrets as to how we have adapted this iconic physical activity for the remote world. In the final installment of our series, Remote Workshop Facilitation, we share tips on how to improve workshop visibility and engagement among participants – starting with the invitation to the final workshop output.
Visibility throughout the design workshop process
Before the days of remote work, clients could attend a workshop in one of our offices, where they would see posters, Post-it notes, and colorful visual markers on the walls. The office was full of creative energy and stimulated imagination. The vibrant colors and visuals helped attendees measure their progress during the workshop. The visuals also enabled us, as facilitators, to showcase what was accomplished at the end of a session. Just as visual stimuli is critical in a physical space, it’s even more important to incorporate it in a remote environment. So, how can you simulate a creative environment online? Three simple ways.
The invitation
The starting point of a physical workshop is different than that of an online workshop. In a remote environment, the workshop actually begins from the moment you invite participants to join. The initial introduction presents a perfect opportunity to spark curiosity and begin telling the story – the journey, the experience, and the intended outcomes.
*Tip: Be fearless, and bring out all your tools. Tell a compelling story and create an invitation that’s hard to resist. Craft a communication that POPS!
The boards
When setting up your workshop space, organization is crucial. We recommend that you use Miro frames to set up your virtual workboards. Assign each participant their own sticky note color and region of the board. Be sure that when you introduce moments of personal work, you give them a personal space on the board. For group converging, create extra-large boards and suggest participants use Post-it notes and dot-votes.
Related Topics
- Method/Discover/Index — Research-driven UX design for healthcare products.
- Services/Blueprint/Index — UX redesign that transformed a home health platform.
- Case Studies/Sandata/Index — Go from idea to working prototype in just 5 days.
Research-driven UX design for healthcare
Our research-driven design process starts with understanding real users in real care settings. We design products that reduce cognitive load and fit seamlessly into clinical workflows.
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