Duration: 2-2.5 hours

Participants: 6-12 people from design team, product, development, and other stakeholders

Purpose: Identify core design values and craft manifesto statements through a card-sorting exercise that surfaces emotional responses and priorities

EXERCISE FLOW

01 Introduction (15 minutes)

• Explain workshop purpose: Using reaction cards to reveal design values and craft manifesto statements

• Set expectations for a reflective, honest dialogue

• Explain how emotional responses to words/concepts reveal underlying values

• Introduce the reaction cards concept and process
  

02 Individual Card Selection (25 minutes)

• Provide each participant with the full set of reaction cards (80-100 cards)

• Ask participants to review all cards silently

• First round: Select 15-20 cards that resonate as descriptors of ideal design

• Second round: Narrow selection to 10 most important cards

• Final round: Select top 5 cards that must be part of design approach
  

03 Small Group Sharing (30 minutes)

• Divide into groups of 3-4 people

• Each person shares their top 5 cards and explains their choices

• Group discusses patterns and themes across selections

• Group creates a consolidated set of 7-10 cards

• Group drafts 2-3 preliminary manifesto statements based on cards
  

04 Gallery Walk (20 minutes)

• Each group posts their cards and draft statements

• All participants circulate to view other groups' selections

• Use sticky dots to mark statements/cards that strongly resonate

• Note questions or suggestions on sticky notes

05 Break (10 minutes)

06 Full Group Synthesis (40 minutes)

• Review most popular cards across all groups

• Discuss common themes and notable differences

• Identify 8-10 core descriptor cards for the team

• Draft consolidated manifesto statements based on these cards

• Refine language collectively

• Discuss how these statements would guide design decisions

07 Next Steps and Closing (15 minutes)

• Recap the selected cards and draft manifesto statements

• Discuss how these will be refined and formalized

• Plan for implementation and socialization

• Assign follow-up responsibilities

• Brief reflection on the process

REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIALS

Physical Workshop Tools

• Complete set of reaction cards (printed on cardstock)

• Wall space or boards for displaying selections

• Sticky notes (multiple colors)

• Markers and pens

• Dot stickers for voting (3-5 per participant)

• Templates printed for individual and group work

• Camera to document card arrangements

Digital Workshop Tools (for remote/hybrid sessions)

• Video conferencing platform with breakout rooms

• Digital whiteboard (Miro, FigJam, Mural) with virtual cards

• Shared document for recording statements

• Digital voting/reaction mechanisms

• Templates shared in advance

Preparation Materials

• Full set of reaction cards (80-100 adjectives/descriptors)

• Card selection templates

• Manifesto statement frameworks

• Workshop agenda

• Examples of design manifestos for reference

Individual Card Selections: Each Design Attribute Cards

1. Accessible

2. Adaptable

3. Advanced

4. Aesthetic

5. Appealing

6. Approachable

7. Authentic

8. Automatic

9. Balanced

10. Beautiful

11. Bold

12. Calm

13. Clean

14. Clear

15. Collaborative

16. Colorful

17. Comfortable

18. Compelling

19. Comprehensive

20. Confident

21. Connected

22. Consistent

23. Contemporary

24. Continuous

25. Conventional

26. Creative

27. Customizable

28. Cutting-edge

29. Delightful

30. Dependable

31. Desirable

32. Detailed

33. Direct

34. Distinctive

35. Diverse

36. Dynamic

37. Efficient

38. Elegant

39. Emotional

40. Empowering

41. Energetic

42. Engaging

43. Enjoyable

44. Essential

45. Exceptional

46. Exciting

47. Expected

48. Experimental

49. Expressive

50. Familiar

51. Fast

52. Flexible

53. Focused

54. Fresh

55. Friendly

56. Functional

57. Harmonious

58. Helpful

59. High-quality

60. Honest

61. Human

62. Immersive

63. Inclusive

64. Innovative

65. Inspiring

66. Integrated

67. Intelligent

68. Intuitive

69. Inviting

70. Minimal

71. Modern

72. Natural

73. Novel

74. Organized

75. Playful

76. Polished

77. Powerful

78. Practical

79. Predictable

80. Professional

81. Progressive

82. Purposeful

83. Refined

84. Relevant

85. Reliable

86. Responsive

87. Restrained

88. Revolutionary

89. Rich

90. Robust

91. Seamless

92. Simple

93. Sleek

94. Smart

95. Sophisticated

96. Streamlined

97. Structured

98. Stunning

99. Stylish

100. Subtle

101. Surprising

102. Sustainable

103. Thoughtful

104. Timeless

105. Trustworthy

106. Understandable

107. Unified

108. Unique

109. Usable

110. Useful

111. Valuable

112. Versatile

You can also add custom cards specific to your industry, company values, or particular design focus areas to supplement this master list.