Session Brief: Design Studio

Goal

Artifact: Sketches

Working Question

Which solution sketch addresses the design challenge best while taking user insights and constraints into account?

Context

Challenge phrased as one sentence; persona or concrete user case with name (for example Sabine, solo tax advisor); constraints (platform, brand guidelines, technical limits); relevant inspirations and anti-patterns.

Setup

• Format: Method session
• Duration: 1-3 h
• Mode: Workshop
• Participants: One facilitator with clear timeboxing discipline; three to eight sketchers (designers, engineers, product, domain experts); one decider (product owner or lead designer) for final selection; one scribe for critique notes.
• Owner: One facilitator with clear timeboxing discipline
• Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
• Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Sketches. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

A3 paper or Wacom tablet per person; several pens (black, one color); stopwatch; wall space or Miro board for gallery; dot stickers for voting; printout of relevant research insights.

Preparation

Arrange tables so everyone can sketch alone (no privacy partitions needed, but no talking during solo phases). Reserve gallery wall. Display challenge and constraints visibly. Timer visible.

Agenda

1. Phase 1: Briefing and inspiration (15-20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Facilitator introduces challenge, persona, constraints, and three research insights. Participants ask for 5 minutes. Then inspiration round: each person shares 1-2 references from other products or sectors. Hint: Inspiration does not need to match theme. Cross-domain references (e.g., banking app inspiring calendar feature) often produce strongest approaches. Output: Sketches

2. Phase 2: Solo sketching, round 1 (8 ideas) (15-20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Each sketcher folds A3 into 8 fields and sketches 8 challenge variants in 8 minutes (Crazy 8s). No labels except keywords. Silence. Hint: If someone cannot produce 8 variants, they may be under-influenced by existing ideas or attached to one concept. Address this in Phase 3. Output: Concept Directions

3. Phase 3: Critique round 1 (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Gallery on wall. Each sketcher explains for 2 minutes (or anonymously). Group gives structured feedback using I like / I wish / What if. Scribe records feedback. Hint: Critique focuses on concept, not drawing quality. Pixel-level critique slows iteration. Output: Design Decisions

4. Phase 4: Solo sketching, round 2 (1 refined sketch) (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Each sketcher picks one direction (own or from another person) and creates a detailed 3-frame storyboard sketch: context, action, outcome. Include labels, avoid brand-style questions. Hint: A 3-frame storyboard forces outcome focus. Anyone drawing one screen is avoiding before-and-after context. Output: Sketches

5. Phase 5: Critique round 2 and decider selection (20-30 min) Owner: Owner Action: Gallery of storyboards. Speed critique 3 minutes per sketch. Silent dot voting (3 dots per person). Decider selects final direction with rationale. Result and rationale in Decision Log. Hint: Decider decides, not the group. Heat map shows energy but does not replace final selection. Output: Concept Directions

6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Sketches

Closeout

• Update result artifact: Sketches
• Define location, version, and review recipients.
• Define owner, next step, and review date.

Sketches: Design Studio

Working Question

Which solution sketch addresses the design challenge best while taking user insights and constraints into account?

Context

Challenge phrased as one sentence; persona or concrete user case with name (for example Sabine, solo tax advisor); constraints (platform, brand guidelines, technical limits); relevant inspirations and anti-patterns.

Participants

• Owner: One facilitator with clear timeboxing discipline
• Participants: One facilitator with clear timeboxing discipline; three to eight sketchers (designers, engineers, product, domain experts); one decider (product owner or lead designer) for final selection; one scribe for critique notes.

Input

A3 paper or Wacom tablet per person; several pens (black, one color); stopwatch; wall space or Miro board for gallery; dot stickers for voting; printout of relevant research insights.

Template

Design Studio Working Template

Goal

Explore design directions through individual sketching, critique, and iteration.

Context

Which design problem or experience should the team improve?

Input

• Problem statement:
• Constraints:
• Research insights:
• Key user needs:

Working area

• Sketch round 1:
• Sketch round 2:
• Feedback notes:
• Converging concept:
• Decision points:

Output artifacts

• Sketch set:
• Concept directions:
• Design decisions:

Open questions

• ...

Decision / next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

• Sketches is complete enough for review:
• Location:
• Version / status:
• Review by:
• Next step:

Next Step

• Review result
• Mark open questions
• Schedule review or decision