This document discusses designing intentional culture and environments. It provides quotes about culture being a driver of innovation and constructing environments that nurture creativity. Participants are asked to list companies they are inspired by and specific attributes or practices. They then brainstorm new rituals or practices for their own company or team that embody shared values. The discussion emphasizes that culture is generated through ongoing contributions and that social interactions can introduce and sustain change. Participants are encouraged to level the playing field and make environments intentional.

2. #cooper
@cooper
@TeresaBrazen
2

3. #cooper
@cooper
@TeresaBrazen
3

4. What if there was as
much intentionality
around culture as
design?

5. Culture is a key driver of
innovation & creativity

6. "What we can do is construct an
environment that nurtures trusting
and respectful relationships and
unleashes everyone’s creativity.”
Ed Catmull, President
Walt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios

7. Designing an
intentional
environment

8. Look within.

9. “Your ability to learn faster than
your competition is your only
sustainable competitive edge.”
Dr. Morgan Gerard
VP Chief Resident Anthropologist, Idea Couture

10. Competing Values Framework McKinsey’s Org Health Index Building Blocks of Design
Studio Culture

11. Cameron Gray Lynne Waldera Sarah Nelson
Vice President, Engineering, Mindflash Founder & CEO, InMomentum Principle & Founder, Tapir & Tine

13. Today:
Culture assessment +
design a new practice.

15. “How did you become you?”
Lynne Waldera
Founder and CEO, InMomentum

16. “Have an ideal dynamic in mind.”
Cameron Gray
Vice President, Engineering, Mindflash

17. Cooper U values
1 Be people, first.
2 Make time for play.
3 Create work spaces that nurture.
4 Actively celebrate success.
5 Get curious about critique.

22. Activity
1. List companies & environments you are
inspired by. Think outside of your industry.
2. List specific attributes or practices.

24. “Culture is generated from ongoing
contributions and discoveries from
both studio owners and
employees.”
David Sherwin
Success by Design

25. “Every time you add a person to the
group, the dynamic changes.”
Sarah Nelson
Principle & Founder, Tapir & Tine

27. “Social interactions are places where
you can introduce and sustain
change.”
Lynne Waldera
Founder and CEO, InMomentum

29. Source: Debaird, Flickr

31. Source: Odonata98, Flickr

32. Activity
Reflection: List three rituals or practices that your
company or team is doing TODAY that embody
the group’s values.

34. “Level the playing field.”
Cameron Gray
Vice President, Engineering, Mindflash

38. Now YOU!

39. Activity
Brainstorm a new practice.

40. Activity
Brainstorm a new practice...that would get you
fired.

41. Activity
Now, how do you bring that idea down to earth?

42. Environments happen.
Make them intentional.

43. Thanks!
Teresa Brazen
teresa@cooper.com
www.Cooper.com
@TeresaBrazen
www.TeresaBrazen.com