Drawing Together
Drawing Together is a creative method that uses simple symbols to express complex ideas and emotions, bypassing verbal limitations. This technique is ideal for accessing insights and patterns not easily captured through words, especially when participants are mentally fatigued.
How to run it
- 1
Introduce the five symbols and their meanings: circle (wholeness), rectangle (support), triangle (goal), spiral (change), star person (relationship).
- 2
Allow participants to practice drawing each symbol.
- 3
Have participants independently create a symbolic story of a challenge or innovation journey using the symbols, without words.
- 4
Invite participants to refine their story by adjusting the size, placement, and color of the symbols.
- 5
In small groups, participants interpret each other's drawings without verbal explanations from the creator.
- 6
Conduct a group discussion to explore collective insights revealed by the drawings.
Tips
Encourage participants to embrace imperfection in their drawings to foster creativity.
Remind them that the focus is on expression, not artistic skill.
Use this method when traditional verbal methods stall, and be prepared for emotional responses.
Variations
Consider using digital tablets for drawing, or start with smaller paper sizes for ease. This method can also be adapted for real-time visual mapping during meetings by adding words to the symbols.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Drawing Together?â–¾
Use Drawing Together when you want to: Injecting creativity into prolonged meetings.; Uncovering hidden perspectives in complex projects.; Visualizing group dynamics or vision statements..
How long does Drawing Together take?â–¾
Drawing Together typically takes 40 minutes.
How many participants does Drawing Together work for?â–¾
Drawing Together works best for groups of 1 or more.
What materials do I need for Drawing Together?â–¾
To run Drawing Together you will need: tapestry paper or flip chart paper, water-based markers, soft pastels.
How difficult is Drawing Together to facilitate?â–¾
Drawing Together is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Liberating Structures. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.