The document outlines the plans for a Design Forum with the aims of inspiring designers, addressing knowledge gaps, and increasing creativity. It discusses objectives to judge achievement of aims through project and portfolio reviews. A strategy of creating a "Think Tank" environment is presented with various proposed activities to tap creativity, challenge norms, and expose designers to new ideas and skills. An implementation plan details 12 needs with corresponding activities, aims, and expected results, including developing skills in areas like analytical thinking, teamwork, and presentation.

2. Design Forum

4. Our objective The objective is the measurable steps by which we can judge that our aim is being achieved The forum’s objective will contribute to the creative services objective achieving the vision – to become so good at what we do that clients would be crazy not to use us . It will also contribute to the achieving client satisfaction objective by consistently producing or where appropriate managing high-quality creative solutions. The forum’s objective will be assessed through: – Project reviews during the life of a project – not accepting below-standard solutions and ideas at concept presentations even if deadlines may be compromised. – Portfolio reviews – to be carried out at regular intervals with rigour. – 1-2-1s in which the degree of involvement, participation and contribution can be discussed and records kept for PDA marking purposes. To innovate and challenge design practices and solutions by participating in, contributing to and putting into practice learnings from the activities included in the implementation plan

7. NEED ACTIVITY AIM RESULTS 1. To find the wow factor Analyse what makes a piece of work ‘special’ Each person brings in four pieces of (in their view) excellent examples of design Expose each other to the very best that design has to offer. Take out learnings to improve our individual creativity A stronger appreciation of design as a whole and to strengthen our personal design ability on a day-to-day level 2. Addressing knowledge gaps Creative half hours. For example: discussion, moodboards, learning about headlines, proofreading marks, think fast, presentation skills To help sharpen our practical day-to-day skills A more efficient creative who thinks quickly but effectively through the creative process 3. Create interesting brainstorms Brainstorming any subject with a degree of theatre. This could be from what you eat or the stimulus you see. It could be also the environment you are in (e.g. from café to gallery) Expose creatives to the unfamiliar and to inspire Lateral thinking A different point of view Implementation plan FLEXIBLE DIARY FLEXIBLE

8. Implementation plan 4. Keeping up to date with trends. Create a group/personal book A scrapbook which contains a collection of great examples of communication items, be they design, messaging or format. This will act as a reference book for all To be aware of current styles and trends, for example visual language, spoken language or culture 5. Learn and share Show and Tell A presentation to the rest of the group about current and past projects Help inform other members of the group who may not be exposed to those particular projects. Also to help with presentation skills 6. Introduce best practice Design principles.To explore fundamental/complex design principles via debates, presentations, guest speakers Reinforce what creatives know about design principles but also to expose them to things they may not know 7. Encourage creative thinking Expose to unfamiliar. Any activity (within reason) that exposes the designer to something unfamiliar To get creative thinking from a different perspective. Refresh their thoughts A more informed creative both visually and culturally More engaging creative presenters A better skilled and inspired creative designer Producing designs from a different or an original angle NEED ACTIVITY AIM RESULTS FLEXIBLE DIARY DIARY DIARY

9. 8. Develop analytical skills The mystery tour. It could be a research project which you find out about. This could be set or a subject chosen by the participants. Once completed it is then presented back to the group. It also can be a physical tour Get creatives to focus into a subject via research and follow the process of discovery, analyse then conclude more effectively A more considered and focused approach to the start of a job rather than starting with the solution 9. Teamworking skills Take a look at the COI Challenge. A small team is given a problem to solve. Team researches the subject matter, works out a solution within a given time and re-presents to the group To get people working together who wouldn’t normally. In other words – team building Creatives work as team members rather than just individuals, sharing the problem as opposed to suffering in silence 10. Encourage creativity Half day gallery visits Expose creatives to the unfamiliar and to inspire A different point of view 11. Learn and share Team Show and Tells. Two teams show and tell current work to the rest of the group Encourage team building and presentation skills A coherent and professional presentation by a particular team Implementation plan NEED ACTIVITY AIM RESULTS DIARY FLEXIBLE DIARY FLEXIBLE

11. FOR EVERY JOB/PROJECT Problem = IDEA SOLUTION RESULT Task or project formula

12. – THE STANDARD OF CREATIVITY IN PUBS RAISED – EACH JOB APPROACHED IN A MORE CREATIVE WAY – RESEARCH BECOMES AN INTEGRAL TOOL IN OUR SOLUTIONS – OVERALL BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE – A MORE INFORMED AND INSPIRED TEAM Our desired outcome IDEAL RESULTS Results and ideals Ideal results