Service Design JAMS & why are they important
TODAY'S WORK ENVIRONMENT
Trough education we build a profession for our self that we hopefully continue building in our work environment. As much as it is good to build and strive in our own profession we create bubbles. Secure spaces where everyone works in similar pace, environment, with similar methods and methodology. We become adjust to one type of working and blind to other opportunity or working principles.
BURSTING THE BUBBLE
One of a good way to open our view on different work methods are Design Jams.
Similar to original music Jams where people come together and create spontaneous music, at Design Jams people come together and create prototypes for presented topics.
How is that related to opening your work view and your work bubble? Jams are open for anyone who is willing to spend weekend in company of different people, learn, create and be inspired by them. Because of that this type of events get people from different professions to work together, learn from each other and try to find the balance in between different working styles sitting around the table. Is not an easy task, overcoming the differences, learn how to not hold on to your ideas and keep in passe with running time of two days long project while learning how to prototype, communicate with your teammates and get to know your users needs.
It is not easy but its worth it and how do I know that? Because I have been through 4 Design Jams so far, my last one just finished yesterday and every time I was happy that I have participated, learned new tools, methods, spoken to people about their needs and learned how to work in diverse teams.
HOW DO DESIGN JAMS WORK?
In 48 hours time (usually between weekend) there is announced secret theme/topic of the jam on which participants start brainstorming ideas on what could it be. After clustering ideas into topic teams are created for each of the topic (people choose their favorite ones). Afterwards, teams start developing, researching, exploring, prototyping, testing and bringing their product outside in order to present their best prototype at the end of the jam.
In 48 hours team members are put into a working environment that is not 100% suited for neither of them, need to embrace each other differences and be open to step outside, talk to people and explore the world of quick prototyping.
Simple, clever idea on how quickly “force” people to expand there working skills, share, meet, explore and learn in space of 48 hours. Whoever is willing can join in and be apart of the experience, more diverse the people’s background are, better outcomes Service design Jam will have.
ADDED VALUE
As I mentioned before this was my 4th Service Design Jam. However, this one was a bit different. The first day was devoted for participants to learn different tools and methods of service design from Facilitators of local design companies (Co-Op and Co-Op Digital, CODE Computer love, Common Good, SIGMA, BBC, Hyper Island, and many others).
By learning the design tools participants got familiar with design methods beforehand of the secret theme.
On an example, Hyper Island presented a workshop on how to use the tool of Analogous Experience created by IDEO, in order to find the AHA moments of how to help solve your problems. We wanted to show the participants how to use this tool by showing some example of how people used the tool of Analogous Experience and brake it down in small steps guide them through the tool.
CODE Computer love created a workshop on bodystoriming. A tool where people engage into different elements of the experiences from being the product, consumer, provider, technology, and actions. Showing the participants how to immerse themselves in the small details of the experiences of the service they are designing.
Participants were more confident of using design tool, that wasn’t familiar to them through their previous work methods. The concept worked well and the second day of design jam was more relaxing for the participants. Design tools can be hard to use for people that are not familiar with them as they do not play on basic work rules, they can sometimes look childish or uncomfortable to do.
Presenting them to participants beforehand was a successful attempt for people to become more comfortable with design tools. And on the other hand, facilitator got an opportunity to see other work methods, that are used in other industries, starting building another much-needed bridge between design and other non-design related industry sectors.
CONCLUSION
Service Design Jams are not just good design event, they are links that start gluing the community, industry, design, crafts, and arts of the city together, show small presentation of what people are capable off if they join forces in their work/life diversity and jump on a project together. That is why I think they are important events that design industry should support/encourage to be regular events on city events calendar.
