This document provides an overview of Workshop One which will use brainstorming and affinity diagramming techniques to develop and identify key goals of a Graduate Design Network. Participants will use an online brainstorming tool to generate ideas individually and then work in pairs to organize the ideas into clusters with common themes. The workshop aims to address domains related to graduate programs, future generations, relationships between practice and academia, and inter-institutional relationships. Definitions of brainstorming and affinity diagramming are also provided along with tips and instructions for the workshop activities.

1. WORKSHOP ONE
Brainstorming
+
Affinity Diagramming
=
AFFINITYSTORMING

2. WORKSHOP
OVERVIEW

3. GOAL
Develop and identify key goals of our Graduate Design Network

4. METHODS
Brainstorming
Affinity Diagramming

5. PLATFORM
Edistorm, Online Brainstorming Tool

6. DESCRIPTION
In this workshop, we will develop and identify key goals
of our Graduate Design Network. We will brainstorm
together to generate lots of ideas. We will affinity diagram
to organize and categorize ideas.

7. Each workshop will address 1 of the 4 domains:
+ Value of Graduate Programs
+ Future Generations/Legacy
+ Relationship between Practice & Academia
+ Inter-institutional Relationships

8. DEFINITION
OF METHODS

9. BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming is the spontaneous and uncensored
contribution of ideas from all members of a group. It
happens through a loosely organized activity where each
group member proposes ideas.

10. AFFINITY
DIAGRAMMING
Affinity Digramming is the task of organizing and sorting
ideas into clusters with common themes. At first clusters
might be very large, but these can be organized into
subgroups. Each cluster can also be assigned a header card
which acts as a title for each group.

11. BEFORE THE
WORKSHOP

12. Watch the Edistorm Introduction
Or go ahead and practice using Edistorm!

13. Sign-up for Edistorm.

14. Login to your designated Edistorm
(found in your schedule)

15. DURING THE
WORKSHOP

16. 20 MINUTES
BRAIN-
STORM

17. 1. Find your name
2. Read your prompt
Respond to the questions
you see posted within your
brainstorm space
3. Brainstorm individually
Generate as many short
phrases and responses as
possible

18. TIPS
Write a word or a phrase that explains your idea.

19. TIPS
Generating ideas should be rapid.
Don’t over think it.
Every idea is a good idea!

20. TIPS
Enjoy the process.
Embrace the ridiculous, Crazy is good!

21. 20 MINUTES
AFFINITY

22. 1. Find your partner’s name
2. Sort their notes into clusters
Move around each note to
create different clusters.
Clusters are a loose
arrangement of ideas which
have something in common.
3. Add header cards
Header cards should act as
title or theme for each cluster.

23. TIPS
Rapidly sort ideas into related groups.

24. TIPS Great minds think alike, haha!
If you don’t understand Oh hey, I had a note like that too! But I
called it: frustrations or obstacles
a post, ask your partner Ohhhhhh, okay
questions through
the Storm Chat.
I was talking about how there will be good
and bad sides to collaborating
What did you mean by “Opportunity and
Risks?”
Yeah that is a good theme!
STORM CHAT WINDOW

25. TIPS
Make your header cards clear and concise.
HEADER CARD EXAMPLES

26. 10 MINUTES
REFINE

27. TIPS
Look at how your partner organized
your notes, re-organize, and edit your
clusters and header cards to create
more refined groups.

28. 1. Find your partner’s name
2. Sort their notes into clusters
Move around each note to
create different clusters.
Clusters are a loose
arrangement of ideas which
have something in common.
3. Add header cards
Header cards should act as
title or theme for each cluster.

29. AFTER THE
WORKSHOP

30. 10 MINUTES
REFLECT

31. After completing the workshop
activities, look over your refined
affinity diagram.
Choose a cluster or note which
you felt was the most profound
response you discovered through
your affinity diagramming.
These summary statements
should be uploaded online.

32. HAVE FUN
AFFINITYSTORMING!