Notice noticing:
The Leaf Exercise

Observing a familiar and abstract image, we notice and mark individually, and reflect in dialogue together. This practice helps identify assumptions and biases embedded in our world view.

What the participants takeaway

1.

2.

Develop the ability to discern between sensory input and personal interpretation, promoting a deeper understanding of one's own perception.

Cultivate awareness regarding the differentiation between objective observation and subjective interpretation, enabling individuals to critically analyze what they see and what they believe they see.

3.

Encourage collaboration and the exchange of perspectives, leveraging the insights and viewpoints of others to gain fresh insights and discover previously unseen possibilities.

Skills Used

  1. Observation

  2. Description

  3. Making & Reflection

  4. Documentation

  5. Communication

  6. Critique

  7. Discovery

  8. Analysis

  9. Collaboration

C18: Foundations (2022)

Digital work created on Miro, Agency Program, Centre for Complexity in collaboration with Wongdoody-Infosys

Let’s take a look at how we explore a few of these skills

Observation

Marking up what we observe with our senses and what we perceive from our knowledge and life experience provides us with a more nuanced understanding of how we organise the world.

Description

Using language, metaphor, analogies and creative associations begin to shift ones perception from 'obvious' to 'possible'.

Making & Reflection

Reflecting on 'how' and 'why' we observe 'what' we observe is done in collaborative dialogue and making. Here the exact visual cues or traits (in blue post it notes) allow us to understand why the participant saw their initial observation (in the pink post it note) .

The Business Value of Design Methods and Skills

Observation

The ability to observe the world, notice opportunities and patterns in a system can lead to a competitive edge, Improved systems understanding beyond user behavior and needs, leading to more holistic user experiences, increased customer satisfaction, and higher conversion rates.

Description

Clear and concise communication of information, leading to better understanding and decision-making.

Making and Reflection

Rapid prototyping and testing, improved design iterations, and faster time-to-market.