Why So Serious? The Value of Play and Improvisation to Design [Workshop]

Mindsets matter! Join us for our December 6 workshop where Coonoor Behal, Founder & CEO of Seattle-based innovation and creativity firm Mindhatch, will introduce us to core concepts, principles, and tools of improvisational acting and how they can be applied to design thinking and better business outcomes. Learn how improv can help you be a better and more creative design thinking practitioner!

The left-brain-dominated business world is changing quickly. Where critical and analytical thinking long reigned supreme, recent surveys show that Fortune 500 CEOs now cite creativity as one of the top three traits they seek in new hires. And as the best innovators know, divergent thinking is just as important as analytical, convergent thinking for creative problem solving. The most successful design thinkers are the ones who embrace the notion of play -- not just in theory but in practice.

We'll start the evening at 5:45 with lights nibbles + wine and beer and a little networking socializing before kicking things off with Coonoor at 6:30pm.

The workshop will be active and experiential, with everyone engaging in lively games and exercises to illustrate core design thinking concepts and skills. No prior improv or acting training of any kind is necessary! Dress comfortably.

You'll leave with 1) improv tools to apply to various phases of the design thinking process, 2) practice with and confidence in employing these tools.

There's no dedicated parking at GRAYBOX, but there should be plenty of street parking available after 5pm. Arrive early to assure yourself of an easy spot. Once you're inside, take the elevator up to Floor 7.

Mindhatch (http://www.mindhatchllc.com) uses Design Thinking, Organizational Improv, and Innovation Facilitation to help organizations solve complex business problems, boost customer value, and improve team performance. Mindhatch helps:

1. Solve complex business problems and design products, services, and experiences customers love using design thinking methods and mindsets
2. Staff stay engaged and do their work better through organizational improv trainings; and
3. Companies come to strategic decisions and embrace organizational change and innovation through expert facilitation.