Workshop Overview

Duration: 2-3 hours
Participants: Cross-functional team (designers, developers, product managers, leadership)
Purpose: Identify recurring patterns in design work and extract core themes that represent your authentic design approach

Workshop Flow

01 Introduction (15 minutes)

• Explain workshop purpose: using pattern recognition to reveal core design themes

• Set expectations for analytical, evidence-based discussion

• Emphasize that themes should emerge from actual work, not aspirational wishes

• Create a safe environment for honest reflection and critical analysis
  

02 Work Sample Collection (25 minutes)

• Ask participants to submit 3-5 examples of work they believe best represents the team's approach

• Prompt with questions:

• "Which projects are you most proud of?"

• "What work best exemplifies our strengths?"

• "Which designs received the most positive feedback?"

• Document submissions with brief context about each piece

• Organize examples in a shared visible space (physical or digital)
  

03 Pattern Analysis (45 minutes)

• Break into small groups of 3-4 people

• Each group examines the collected work samples

• Groups identify recurring elements across different projects:

• Visual styles and aesthetic choices

• Interaction patterns

• Problem-solving approaches

• User experience characteristics

• Document patterns with specific examples from the work

• Look for both obvious and subtle connections
  

04 Theme Extraction (30 minutes)

• Full group reconvenes to share identified patterns

• Collectively cluster similar patterns

• Transform pattern clusters into broader themes

• Name each emerging theme with a descriptive phrase

• Prioritize themes based on frequency and significance

• Document the supporting evidence for each theme
  

05 Break (10 minutes)

06 Theme Validation (30 minutes)

• Test identified themes against additional work samples

• For each theme, ask:

• Is this consistently present in our best work?

• Does this differentiate us from competitors?

• Is this authentic to our approach?

• Does this theme represent a strength?

• Refine theme descriptions based on discussion

• Eliminate themes that don't hold up to scrutiny
  

07 Theme to Principle Transformation (30 minutes)

• For each validated theme:

• Draft a principle statement that captures its essence

• Connect the principle to specific design decisions

• Provide examples of how this principle manifests in work

• Discuss how this principle could guide future decisions

• Focus on principles that are both descriptive and prescriptive

08 Next Steps and Closing (15 minutes)

• Review extracted themes and draft principles

• Discuss refinement process

• Plan for integration with design manifesto or guidelines

• Assign follow-up responsibilities
  

Required Tools & Materials

Physical Workshop Tools

• Large whiteboard or wall space

• Work samples (printouts, prototype access)

• Sticky notes (multiple colors)

• Markers and pens

• Masking tape for organizing

• Camera for documenting

Digital Workshop Tools (for remote/hybrid sessions)

• Video conferencing platform with breakout rooms

• Digital whiteboard (Miro, FigJam, Mural)

• Shared access to work samples

• Collaborative documentation tool

• Virtual sticky notes

Preparation Materials

• Sample selection criteria

• Pattern identification frameworks

• Theme validation questions

• Examples of how themes connect to principles
  

Workshop Deliverables

Immediate Deliverables (Day of Workshop)

• Pattern Inventory: Comprehensive list of identified patterns with examples

• Theme Documentation: 5-9 core themes with supporting evidence

• Theme Validation Notes: Results of theme testing and refinement

• Draft Principles: Initial formulations based on validated themes

Post-Workshop Deliverables (1-3 days after)

• Theme Analysis Document including:

• Detailed description of each theme

• Visual and functional examples from work

• Relationship between themes

• Distinction from competitor approaches

• Design Principles Document including:

• Refined principle statements derived from themes

• Explanation of how each principle guides decisions

• Examples of principle application in practice

• Guidelines for using principles in design review

• Implementation Plan outlining:

• Process for finalizing principles

• Method for integrating themes into design system

• Communication strategy for wider organization
  

Workshop Facilitation Requirements

• Primary facilitator comfortable with pattern analysis

• Visual documenter to capture themes and connections

• Space arrangement that supports collective analysis

• Timer to keep activities moving