Marshall McLuhan's quote about how tools shape us introduces the concept of intentional environments. The document then discusses how environments, whether designed or not, affect user experience (UX). It advocates designing environments intentionally to foster trusting relationships and unleash creativity. A 4-step process is provided: 1) declare your intent, 2) take actions based on intent, 3) activate the environment, and 4) repeat for each project. Various groups exemplify principles and practices for intentional design. The conclusion encourages making environments intentional rather than leaving them to chance.

2. surroundings
or conditions

3. “We shape our tools and thereafter
our tools shape us.”
Marshall McLuhan

4. SGLibrary http://www.flickr.com/photos/sglibrary/5499883074/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Source: Flickr, Monicaʼs Dad

5. SGLibrary http://www.flickr.com/photos/sglibrary/5499883074/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Source: Flickr, Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg

6. Source: Flickr, Jokigen

7. Intentional environment

8. UX happens

9. UX happens
(whether you design it or not)

10. Environment happens
(whether you design it or not)

11. Setting up the conditions
that foster great work

13. "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

14. Designing an
intentional
environment

15. Intentional environments in 4 simple steps

16. Intentional environments in 4 simple steps
1 Declare your intent

17. Intentional environments in 4 simple steps
1 Declare your intent
2 Take actions based
you on that intent

18. Intentional environments in 4 simple steps
team
1 Declare your intent
team
2 Take actions based
team you team on that intent
team team 3 Activate the environment
for others

19. Intentional environments in 4 simple steps
team
1 Declare your intent
team
2 Take actions based
team you team on that intent
team team 3 Activate the environment
for others
4 Repeat for every project

20. Reflect the unique players and
circumstances of each project
Reflect the unique players and circumstances
Source: Flickr Opposite of Super

21. Clear the deck so people can participate in a new way

22. Show respect & care for the people in the environment
Source: Flickr SerenityRose

23. Principles & Practices

24. Pixar
Principle: It must be safe
for everyone to offer ideas
Practice: Work-in-
progress is shown to the
entire crew for crit

25. Improv
Principle: Build upon ideas
Practice: “Yes, and...”
Source: Flickr, Mild Mannered Photographer

26. Adaptive Path
Principle: Have mutual
respect for each other’s
point of view
Practice: 5 minute
madness

27. Rail Europe
Principle: One big team
Practice: Find ways to
celebrate our clients

28. Anyone can activate an environment
Source: Flickr, LaughingRhoda

29. Now YOU!

30. Think back to something wonderful that
happened to you on a project.
(Something that you’d like to see happen again.)

31. Think back to something wonderful that
happened to you on a project.
(Something that you’d like to see happen again.)
What conditions made that wonderful thing
possible?

32. Now, jot down a principle that
could enable it to happen.
pr actice
p rinc iple
ivity or b ehavior
An act do that
ment tha t serves that p eople can
A state the princ iple alive
e founda tion for a brings
as th avior or makes it visible.
syste m of beh and
belief. hat can we do?
ie: W
hat’s the intent?
ie: W

33. Now, write down a practice that you and others
can do to make it happen.
pr actice
p rinc iple
ivity or b ehavior
An act do that
ment tha t serves that p eople can
A state the princ iple alive
e founda tion for a brings
as th avior or makes it visible.
syste m of beh and
belief. hat can we do?
ie: W
hat’s the intent?
ie: W

34. Without talking, show & share
princ
with a neighbor. iple
Enc pra
our
team age ctic
to t mem Hol
d a e
ake bers
actice
and” wee
pr risk ses kly
“yes
s. pus sion ,
rinc iple une
h th
e de
to
p Tidy u
p the dire
xpe
cte
sign
in
ace at ctio d
h day
p
ject s ns.
Star t eac pro
o f eac
h
e end
fresh th
w ith a day.
mind.
& clear

35. You have in your hands
your next intentional
environment. principle
pract
Encou ice
team m rage Hold a
to tak embers “yes, a weekly
to pusnd” session
e risks
. in une h the desig
x
directi pected n
ons.

36. Environments happen.
Make them intentional.

37. #intentment
Thanks!
Teresa Brazen
teresa@adaptivepath.com
@TeresaBrazen
Kate Rutter
kate.rutter@gmail.com
@katerutter