What happens when you take 20 designers out of their element and place them in the woods to work on a project without Wacom tablets, computers or cellphones? Such was the experience this past weekend when I joined AIGA-CT for the LOTION/Roughin’ It event in the Berkshires where some of the best designers in Connecticut met up to collaborate for a cause.
Camp Isola Bella is located on a little island in Salisbury, Connecticut. Owned and operated since 1964 by the American School for the Deaf, the camp follows the school’s philosophy of fostering open lines of communication… just the spot for a bunch of designers who make communicating a message their living. The setting of Isola Bella is much like what you might have experienced when you were a kid and your parents sent you away to summer camp. This weekend at camp, however, was way cooler because we were grown up (mostly) and had Linda Wright, one of Hartford County’s most exclusive and creative personal chefs, preparing our meals.
What’s up with that name?
LOTION? Well…it’s the balm, of course. Lotion protects and heals. It makes you feel good. And every year it will be an annual retreat where attendees can collaborate and bring a designed solution to a worthy cause. According to AIGA-CT, “It’s a lot like lending a hand to spread the good stuff around.”
The mission for this year’s LOTION is two-fold. For starters, this was a first-time-ever retreat for Connecticut members of AIGA. Rarely do we get the opportunity to come together to collaborate, share creatively or just hang out for a weekend. It was felt by AIGA-CT that this isolation had to end. The opportunity to spend a weekend with not only some great designers, but also a talented (and outspoken) photographer, an wild and crazy industrial designer, the refined experience of a New England paper rep, and even the fresh mind of an emerging designer was truly a lot of fun. To do so in a setting where we were given nothing but a hand shaved 1/2″ wide pencil, a notepad, and a lot of bug spray is what I hope will not be a once in a lifetime experience. Clearly, we were coloring outside the lines here.
The second mission for LOTION ’09 is to collaborate on the rebranding of Camp Isola Bella and PrintWorks, both owned by our host, American School for the Deaf. Using the Six Thinking Hats method, developed by Edward De Bono, we split into two groups for the brainstorming portion of the program. The process for this project is expected to last into the next several months. Yours truly has been selected to assist in writing the book which will be widely distributed in the hope that others might be inspired to put their skills to use in helping a worthy cause. Attendees donated their time, money and creativity to act together to analyze and act upon prepared creative briefs. There was no fighting. No egos. There was simply amazing teamwork and plenty of time to explore ideas. How absolutely refreshing!
The Six Thinking Hats:
De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a structured and positive approach to decision making and the exploration of new ideas. Due to its practical approach, proponents of this method are able to isolate different modes of thinking to collect information and distill it with the result of clearer thinking, improved communications and greater creativity. The Six Hats are as follows:
WHITE HAT – Neutral and objective, concerned with facts and figures
RED HAT – The emotional view
BLACK HAT – Careful and cautious, the “devil’s advocate”
YELLOW HAT – Sunny and positive
GREEN HAT – Associated with fertile growth, creativity, and new ideas
BLUE HAT – Cool, the color of the sky, above everything else – the organizing hat
Group #1 was given the task of rebranding and positioning the camp site itself. In use only 2 months of the year, the mission is to open up awareness of this beautiful setting as a resource for public events and celebrations. Group #2 was assigned the task of positioning and improving community awareness of ASD’s print shop, PrintWorks. As a participate, I can say that utilizing the Six Thinking Hats (something I was previously unaware of) proved most effective. Not only for the weekend project, but as something I can employ for my own design projects. It keeps you focused and on task.
The weekend was a great success in gathering the members of AIGA-CT together to connect. After the brainstorming and hat wearing, I was not alone in feeling that my mind had been exhausted. Linda always had a friendly greeting and a wonderful meal prepared - nutrition for the creative mind. After hours we were able to explore the camp, swim, and kayak. Saturday night ended with a gathering around a campfire on the beach. When do you get to do that? Almost never. Who says giving back is an unselfish activity? I’ll be posting more as AIGA-CT continues to progress on LOTION ’09.
Have a thought about this post? Please comment or feel free to share.
Laura Day
August 22, 2009
I really like the six thinking hat process (it is new to me too).
This style of approaching a project addresses all forms of communication in the creative process. One can express and hear all voices in this context.
This approach provides not only the individual, but the group as well the nourishment needed for ideas to grow.
Sounds like you had a great weekend in a beautiful setting.
Lisa
August 19, 2009
Linda, I’m glad you liked the post and thanks for visiting Considerations. I’ll be in touch and again thank you for the delicious meals.
Linda Wright
August 18, 2009
Lisa, many thanks for your kind accolades! I enjoyed meeting the many creative people that make up AIGA, as well as reading your review of the weekend. It was a pleasure creating the necessary “food for thought” for such a productive, enjoyable retreat!
Savannah
August 18, 2009
Lisa, you continue to amaze me with your views in such situations!
Your writing is like a well made pasta sauce. I loved reading this the first time, and it’s even better the second!