Design Studio (sketch, present, critique)

Design Studio is a co-design workshop derived from interface design. It typically brings together designers, developers, and business representatives around a framed problem. The group alternates between silent individual sketches, short presentations, structured critiques, and iterations. The game facilitates rapid production of options, appropriation of others' ideas, and the construction of a shared understanding.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Frame the problem and expected outcome

   10 to 20 min

   The facilitator opens by reminding everyone of the objective: "We are going to produce many options, examine them, and then converge towards a common sketch." They present the problem to be addressed, the useful context, and known constraints, without proposing a solution. Participants may only ask clarification questions. The challenge is for everyone to sketch on the same problem, with the same minimal level of information.

   Tip — Write the problem in a visible sentence for all and read it before each cycle: this prevents sketches from veering off into related but different topics.

2. 2

   Silent individual sketching

   5 to 8 min

   The facilitator distributes or prepares sheets and gives the instruction: "For 5 to 8 minutes, everyone sketches several ideas alone, in silence. Aim for quantity and diversity, not the perfect drawing." Participants draw interface ideas, user journeys, or solutions based on the problem. No one comments at this stage. The silence protects fragile ideas and prevents an initial proposal from influencing the entire group.

   Tip — Announce the remaining time halfway through and one minute before the end; this encourages generating multiple ideas rather than overworking a single sketch.

3. 3

   Short presentation of sketches

   2 to 3 min per person

   Each participant presents their sketches in 2 to 3 minutes. The facilitator frames it: "Explain the problem you are addressing, the principle of your idea, and what you wish to test or clarify. No lengthy justification." Others listen without debating and note what they understand. This step puts all options on the table and makes the intentions behind the drawings visible.

   Tip — Keep time kindly but firmly: an extended presentation reduces energy and quickly turns the workshop into a meeting for defending ideas.

4. 4

   Structured critique by the group

   3 to 6 min per sketch or group of sketches

   After each presentation, the facilitator guides the critique with two mandatory angles: "What addresses the problem well? What raises questions?" Participants provide feedback on the relevance to the problem, not on the person or graphic quality. The presenter listens, clarifies if necessary, but does not defend point by point. The goal is to extract value and actionable risks for iteration.

   Tip — If the group shifts into judgment, bring it back to the formulation: "What addresses the problem well..." then "What raises questions..."; these two phrases often suffice to clarify the critique.

5. 5

   New individual iteration

   5 to 8 min

   The facilitator initiates a short cycle: "You can revisit your ideas, borrow from others, combine them, or start anew. Everything presented now belongs to the collective work." Participants sketch again in silence, enriched by the presentations and critiques. They aim to improve the response to the problem and address the questions that arose. This iteration transforms critique into creative material.

   Tip — Explicitly state that copying and combining is expected: without this, some participants self-censor for fear of stealing someone else's idea.

6. 6

   Quick sharing of the second iteration

   10 to 20 min

   Each participant briefly shows their new idea, more concisely than during the first round. The facilitator asks: "What idea did you keep, borrow, or modify, and why?" The group identifies convergences, significant differences, and still uncertain points. This step prepares for collective decision-making without yet seeking to merge everything.

   Tip — Note recurring themes on the board rather than the names of individuals; this depersonalises the convergence and directs the group towards solution elements.

7. 7

   Convergence towards a common sketch

   15 to 30 min

   The facilitator invites the team to produce a common sketch: "We will assemble what best addresses the problem and keep unresolved questions visible." The group chooses the elements to integrate, resolves necessary divergences, and draws a shared version. One person may hold the pencil while others contribute. The expected outcome is a comprehensible common sketch, not a finalised model.

   Tip — Clearly separate decisions made from open questions, for example by placing them in two distinct areas; this prevents blocking convergence on an undecidable point.

8. 8

   Closure and next actions

   5 to 10 min

   The facilitator has the common sketch reviewed and asks: "What do we understand better now? What do we need to verify next?" The group formulates lessons learned, hypotheses, and possible next steps. The facilitator photographs or saves the sketches, including useful alternatives. The closure anchors shared understanding and prevents the workshop from being perceived as merely a drawing session.

   Tip — Also keep the sketches not selected: they often contain reusable options if the framing evolves or if a test invalidates the common path.

Variants

• Short version: limit the framing to the strict necessary, conduct a single cycle of individual sketching, presentation, critique, and then convergence. To be used if the topic is simple or already well-known.
• In-depth version: conduct two complete cycles of sketching, presentation, and critique before convergence. This variant is suitable when the problem is ambiguous or when the business, design, and development profiles have very different visions.
• Remote version: use a collaborative whiteboard, with a zone for each participant for sketches and a common area for convergence. Maintain the 5 to 8 minutes of silent sketching and 2 to 3 minutes of presentation per person.
• Subgroup version: with a group close to 12 people, first converge in small groups, then share the common sketches before a final convergence. This reduces waiting time and increases engagement.