A Guide to Finding Clarity Through Creativity™ | TwoLine Studios
At TwoLine Studios, we are a creative problem-solving company. Sometimes clients are implementing a new social impact program, other times they are mapping a new client journey or aligning business goals through a new merger and acquisition. Regardless of the problem, we bring our drawing and creativity strategy experience to help teams connect, feel heard, and align their thinking as they draw out their strategy together.
You may be asking, “How do you use drawing to clarify big ideas?” One tool that we use is graphic recording. We listen to the conversation, synthesize the big idea, organize them into themes and draw what is being said (all in real-time.) We know that this process is about the ideas, not the art. We incorporate drawing as a way to shift the perspective, open conversation, and SEE where you are going as a team and what is missing.
Use our Graphic Recording at your next meeting.
Did you know that sixty-five percent of our population are visual learners and use drawings for understanding big ideas? Not only are the majority of us visual learners, but according to a study conducted by 3M, humans process information from images 60,000 times faster than when we read the text alone! Using visuals is vital to our communication and learning.
As graphic facilitators and visual strategists, we believe that strong visualization, storytelling, and drawing bring greater understanding and clarity.
Teams Connect || Build Team Trust
Using creativity builds trust within teams. It is the first step in the Clarity Through Creativity™ process. Often we kick off a session with an ice breaker that intentionally stretches people outside of their comfort zones. As an introduction, we may have pairs create blind contour drawings allowing them to truly focus on another team member, or maybe we build their visual storytelling confidence by guiding them to draw a personal value from a squiggle. Over a decade of experience has shown us that trust can be created through stepping into vulnerability, laughing about it, and having an honest conversation.
Creative exercises can be used to invite people to identify their beliefs and values. They ask them to be vulnerable, ignite honest conversations between team members, and maybe have a bit of laughter over their doodles. Not only does the laughter and storytelling build trust, but find core values that bind them as a team.
Feel Heard || Use Visuals
Visuals are a powerful tool to show people are being heard and to draw out a team’s visions of the future state. Creating a group vision keeps teams aligned around a common goal. Having the visual on display ready for weekly standing check-ins keeps the group more focused and accountable. When discovering your team’s collective vision, consider making it a visceral experience and address the following five categories:
Impact – What is the impact we want to have through our work?
Sensory – How does your ideal future feel? Smell? What sounds are associated with it?
Who – Who will be there? What are their roles?
Where – Where will our future take us? What is does our physical space and location look like?
Recognition – What does recognition look like? How do we know we succeeded?
These categories help your team embody the vision of where you collectively want to be in the future. Having your team's vision laid out ensures that each team member is on the same page about clearly outlines what you are all working toward.
Alignment || Empower Your Team
Charting a Path exercise from Heather Willems book, Draw Your Big Idea
Ultimately, Clarity Through Creativity™ happens when you adapt and listen to your team's unique wants and needs. Identify where they are today and the gaps that need to be filled. To achieve success, these four pillars need to be outlined:
What milestones need to be taken?
How do these align with your values?
What resources are currently available? What resources are needed?
Who needs to be involved?
Each of these steps can be customized and adjusted to stay true to your team's goals and objectives. Keeping your company's values and vision at the forefront of your actions ensures that your team is being heard and valued.
Through utilizing the Clarity Through Creativity™ guide, team members felt centered, think strategically and grow excited about the future.
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Two Line Studios has been helping brands communicate virtually for years. Our facilitator-led sessions implement a Clarity Through Creativity®™ approach using visuals, storytelling, and creative inspiration — even when getting together in person is not possible. Subscribe to our newsletter below for more ways to draw out clarity.