The Liberating Structures are also convinced of the “thinking with your hands” that we know from design thinking. A nice structure is ‘Drawing together’ where there is not even spoken at all. On this page a short explanation.
PREPARATION
Provide sufficient drawing material and paper, preferably A3 or larger.
EXPLANATION
– Draw five figures on the (white) board and explain what they symbolize:
- Circle = wholeness
- Rectangle = support
- Triangle = target
- Spiral = change
- Star human = relationship
PRACTICE (5 min.)
Let the participants practice drawing the 5 symbols (quickly).
STORY VERSION 1 (10 min.)
Invite the participants to combine the symbols to create a first draft of a story. They do this individually and without words. The story describes the ‘journey’ of working on a challenge or an innovation.
STORY VERSION 2 (10 min.)
Invite participants to create a second version in which they refine their story by dramatizing the size, placement, and color of the symbols.
STORY TELLING (5 min.)
Make pairs and take turns interpreting each other’s drawing (with a lot of imagination indeed). Remind them that the person who did the drawing is not speaking.
PLENARY DISCUSSION (5-10 min.)
Ask the whole group what the drawings reveal? What general picture do you see in the group? And what consequences does this have? For larger groups, use the 1-2-4-All.
