Artists & Specifiers

Artists & Specifiers is a game that highlights communication and creativity within a team. Participants alternate between the roles of artists, who draw, and specifiers, who give instructions without showing the visual. This game promotes collaboration and mutual understanding, while emphasising the importance of clear and precise communication.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and role allocation

   10 min

   The facilitator explains the purpose of the game: to create a drawing as a team by communicating effectively. They divide participants into teams of 4 to 6 people and assign roles: one artist and one or more specifiers. Each team receives a simple drawing that only the specifiers can see.

   Tip — Choose simple drawings but with enough detail to encourage precision in the instructions.

2. 2

   Specification phase

   15 min

   The specifiers examine the drawing for a few minutes and then begin to give instructions to the artist to reproduce the drawing. The artist can only ask closed questions to clarify the instructions. The specifiers must ensure they provide clear and precise instructions.

   Tip — Encourage specifiers to use metaphors or comparisons to describe the drawing in a more vivid way.

3. 3

   Drawing phase

   20 min

   The artist begins to draw following the instructions from the specifiers. The specifiers must adjust their instructions based on the questions and needs of the artist. This phase highlights the importance of adaptation and flexibility in communication.

   Tip — Remind specifiers to regularly check the artist's understanding to avoid misunderstandings.

4. 4

   Drawing presentation

   10 min

   Each team presents their final drawing to all participants. The specifiers briefly explain the challenges faced and how they overcame communication obstacles. This allows for sharing learnings and best practices.

   Tip — Encourage humour and self-deprecation to create a relaxed and open atmosphere.

5. 5

   Conclusion and learnings

   10 min

   The facilitator summarises the key lessons from the game, emphasising the importance of clear communication and active listening. They invite participants to reflect on how these skills can be applied in their daily work.

   Tip — Use concrete examples from the drawings to illustrate points of successful or failed communication.

Variants

• Use more complex drawings to increase difficulty.
• Change roles midway to allow each participant to experience both positions.
• Add a time constraint to increase pressure and test the teams' responsiveness.