What is the value of Service Design jams?

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Permalink Reply by Zaana Howard on February 3, 2012 at 9:46

Let's start with being up front. I haven't participated in a Jam so I can't comment on what its like to participate in one but I can tell you why I haven't participated in one...

...as most of us do I have a lot of competing priorities and commitments. A whole weekend from Friday night to Sunday afternoon is a massive time commitment to something that while it may be fun I can't justify. If it was contributing to something that had potential for legs, would get uptake etc (along the lines of what Harriet suggests above) then I can see a lot of value in that and would be more than open to participating.  

I started my PhD about 18months ago, and have perhaps twice in that time committed to a whole weekend just to my family, which in the end is my biggest priority...so justifying spending a whole weekend away from my family (or work or other commitments) is just too big an ask for in the scheme of things for me, for seemingly little return.

I fully advocate for the sentiment of the jam - for the possibilities and potential for connecting, learning from one another, learning new tools, tricks, ideas etc - but believe these aims could just as easily be achieved in a shorter time frame that's much more manageable for people like me to participate.

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Permalink Reply by Julia Birks on February 3, 2012 at 10:29

I’m on board with Zaana. I haven't participated before, but I feel like it either needs to be a longer-term project that is seriously managed, developed and delivered, with a smaller group of people that are all on board and committed – or it needs to be a much shorter activity than a whole weekend. Otherwise, I really can’t justify the time either.

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Permalink Reply by Yoko Akama on February 3, 2012 at 14:43

What I observe happening with these Jams is partly:

a) that its a 'critical mass' event to generate interest in SD and use the opportunity productively (?) to address real-world (?) change. So, the intention is always a good one, I believe

b) that it fails because it tries to do everything in a short space of time (even if its several days) and so ultimately, it is unlikely to 'solve' any major problem

c) that it often assembles very different constituents, and having to manage, co-ordinate and direct diverse group with different ideas, experiences, expectations, motivations often requires a very high level of skills in facilitation. This is often underestimated - facilitation isn't easy.

d) its still rather new and novel (which is what's sustaining the momentum, in a way) and so people are far more willing to take part. I can't see the same kind of thing continuing, say, in 5 years time. 

e) the worrying part is that it can easily be painted by the same brush that can give designers a bad name ie, too ideological, too autocratic, too easy, too arrogant, too 'novel' and 'fashionable', 'designers only want to do what's fun and enjoyable'...

  

But you know, its too easy to criticise and much harder to recommend a different way of thinking and doing things. It seems from this discussion that there are some good ideas that could be put forward (eg. Greater committment and ownership by a stakeholder - even a corporate sponsor or NPO; provision of ethnographic research beforehand; having a clearer starting and ending point; having greater clarity in framing the 'problem'; distinguishing whether its just a fun, social gathering which can be done within a short timeframe; creating smaller teams for greater agility and more effective management and delivery).

And to this, I would add, having a better, experienced facilitator (ie, a designer who knows a bit about SD methods shouldn't be the only merit); creating feedback mechanisms so that the facilitator/manager is 'in touch' with how the participants are feeling on the go; extend the workshop over a series of sessions to have concrete strategies on implementation (in all its meanings) and then delegate those tasks; rather than re-inventing the wheel, either extend the positive last 'Jam' experience/outcome and learn from the negatives.

Any other ideas..?

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Permalink Reply by Marina Paronetto on February 3, 2012 at 14:47

 

I think there is a great value, since it changed my life. I went to the first GSJ in Melbourne, met amazing people like Harriet and learned about service design which was completely new information. I understand that it can give the idea that service design can be concluded in a weekend, but the truth is, no one leaves the room thinking like that. We want to know more, we start to admire it, follow it and be amazed by it.

I decided to organize the Global Sustainability Jam, just because I wanted more of that weekend that brought some much into my life. Maybe who is used to service design everyday can think it's a bit "extra-long hours" to spend doing something they do every day... but there is also the experimenting and showing up value. I saw a few people hiring jammers they met, working together in different projects, and becoming great friends.

There is a second amazing value for me. The fun. It's not just fun like let's have a beer, but to practice fun as a subject, analyze it, inspire it, create it and use it as a tool! My job is so serious, paying bills is so serious, studying.... it's hard to find a place where wearing a colorful wig and a rubber chicken are welcome.
The next gsjam will happen in 80 cities, which design event has that impact!? So interesting! We are getting better to communicate and share information with a different city around the world... I understand that a weekend is a big commitment, but there is 52 in a year, maybe one should be about having fun with what we love to do...

I could go on and on... but my boss is giving me the most intimidating look!

Have a great weekend!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin Low on February 3, 2012 at 14:52

Guys, 

The key word here is “jam.” 

Think making music (not producing an album). Think playing around with your favourite instrument - which just happens to be design. Think improvisation. Think hanging out with friends and having fun.  

Then place the conversation above in that context. Any casual gathering which devoted this much time to considering it’s own identity would be about as popular as a glass eating contest. 

Don’t take it - or yourselves - so seriously. 

If you like design, people and fun - come. It’s a blast.  

If you need personal validation, respect for your qualifications, or like using the phrase “project sponsor” in casual conversation, then please: stay away. 

If you don’t like the way it’s run, or just think design needs to be owned by professionals, then go start your own jam. No-one owns the idea. 

I’m not associated with any of the Australian jams this year, but i’ll be hosting Mongolia’s first jam where we’ll be merrily “bastardising” design in -30c weather with problems that can’t be solved with another app. Even then the focus will be on fun. And the biggest risk we’ll likely run will be actually doing something useful.  

Finally, to touch on Yoko’s words: No. the burden of knowledge and qualification - as practitioners - is not to have your opinion on design heard.

It’s to actually do design. 

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Permalink Reply by Yoko Akama on February 3, 2012 at 15:27

Wow, what a great discussion!

I am slightly nervous that some points are being conflated, particularly in response to Kristin "Finally, to touch on Yoko’s words: No. the burden of knowledge and qualification - as practitioners - is not to have your opinion on design heard. It's to actually do design"

Just to take the 'heat' out of your comment, I'd like to clarify what I said and I'm sorry if it has upset you in any way, it's probably my fault for it being open to misinterpretation. To be clear, what I said was in the spirit of opening dialogue and provide insightful feedback. Is there no room for feedback or critique? Will 'Jam' organisers take on board suggestions from this 'community of interest'? It will be interesting to see what happens. As you can see already, there has been mixed experiences of the 'Jam' events - so it felt that it was productive to talk about it. And I'm glad to see Mariana contributing her views of her great experience of it. So please don't take that the people who have initiated this discussion (including myself) was motivated to stand on a 'soap box' to preach to people about how 'Jams' should be. In fact, I think we all want to hear what everyone else thinks!

I can see why you would find what's been said upsetting, if you are very passionate about what Jams enable. I agree - the fun, social part really works. 

Good luck with your Mongolian Jam Kristin. I look forward to hearing what happens ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Marina Paronetto on February 3, 2012 at 15:37

Maybe we could start a discussion about suggestions, since this ask what is the value.... It also might be useful that everyone interested to make suggestions go to a Jam first.  We love feedback, but it's important to remember the difference between a Jam and a research project with theme and stakeholders, a workshop, a conference.... 

My name is Marina ;)

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Permalink Reply by Patti hunt on February 3, 2012 at 15:52

I volunteered to organise the Melbourne Service Jam last year and found the experience to be mixed. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the positive energy that most people bought along, the sense of fun and the open-ness to possibility - that something magical could happen.

On the other hand, those that took themselves and design theory and practice seriously bought the event down. It became bit of a battle between the 'purists' (i.e. there is a right way and a wrong way) and the 'experimenters' (i.e. let's see what happens when...). 

I think it depends on what you are looking for and what kind of person you are. Some people will be attracted to a highly structured, heavily engineered event with specific goals, objectives and outcomes (not a jam). Others will be more interested in playing with and exploring ideas, tools and techniques in a less structured way (a jam). 

I don't think Jam event organisers need to be told how they are "failing" by people who are not really interested in jamming. I think the Global Service Jam is one of the most successful events I have seen - in one year, it has been able to promote and engage people with service design on such a massive scale. This year, it's likely over 100 locations will be involved - hardly a failure.

I think as a community, we should be supporting such initiatives while they are in their infancy and not criticise them too early (constructive or not). Why not see what happens, let them evolve, improve and iterate. Participate if you want to, create alternatives if you don't. 

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Permalink Reply by Harriet Wakelam on February 3, 2012 at 15:58

Hi Kristin - I'm sorry you took my comments as hostile.  I'm in no doubt that design methodology is no secret thing, I certainly don't think that design needs to be owned by professionals, in many ways design tools and methodologies are some of the most accessible of any profession or organisation. - what I was trying to say from my position as full time working mum of 2 kids, is that the outcomes of the Jam for me could be more powerful in exchange for a weekend of time.   I agree, when I had more time, that I have had wonderful weekends at Jams, now I have less, I would love to see the power of Service Design Jam's to ideate and create new ideas, used to help create long term sustainable change.  

 The thing I was pointing out was not that 'project sponsor' is some kind of exclusive word, but that for all the great ideas from a Jam, the power of those ideas would go even further, be even more sustainable if there was money and long term commitment to take the ideas to fulfilment.  One of the most challenging parts of design is implementation and being able to conduct ongoing iteration.. for users and those helping with the design to understand that it's an ongoing process.  

For me doing design is as much about doing something that can be used long-term as it is about the ideation process....  You're right (as is Marina) that design is about quality conversation, and as such why shouldn't it span Jam's, corporates, academics, professionals, and everyone else in between.  

Perhaps the conversation could be - how do Jam's gain most effectiveness  in the process of sustainable design

Kristin Low said:

Guys, 

The key word here is “jam.” 

Think making music (not producing an album). Think playing around with your favourite instrument - which just happens to be design. Think improvisation. Think hanging out with friends and having fun.  

Then place the conversation above in that context. Any casual gathering which devoted this much time to considering it’s own identity would be about as popular as a glass eating contest. 

Don’t take it - or yourselves - so seriously. 

If you like design, people and fun - come. It’s a blast.  

If you need personal validation, respect for your qualifications, or like using the phrase “project sponsor” in casual conversation, then please: stay away. 

If you don’t like the way it’s run, or just think design needs to be owned by professionals, then go start your own jam. No-one owns the idea. 

I’m not associated with any of the Australian jams this year, but i’ll be hosting Mongolia’s first jam where we’ll be merrily “bastardising” design in -30c weather with problems that can’t be solved with another app. Even then the focus will be on fun. And the biggest risk we’ll likely run will be actually doing something useful.  

Finally, to touch on Yoko’s words: No. the burden of knowledge and qualification - as practitioners - is not to have your opinion on design heard.

It’s to actually do design. 

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Permalink Reply by Harriet Wakelam on February 3, 2012 at 16:00

Yes, I'd love to see us talk about how Jam's fit and where the value is - for me that is what we should be doing.... :) 

Marina Paronetto said:

Maybe we could start a discussion about suggestions, since this ask what is the value.... It also might be useful that everyone interested to make suggestions go to a Jam first.  We love feedback, but it's important to remember the difference between a Jam and a research project with theme and stakeholders, a workshop, a conference.... 

My name is Marina ;)

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Permalink Reply by Yoko Akama on February 3, 2012 at 16:17

Oops, sorry Marina! I've done this before, haven't I (smack wrist Yoko!)

Kristin/Patti, since Huddle is hosting the space for the next Jam, I was hoping that someone from there would tell us what the plan is in the Jam event? Would you (or someone from there) be able to post it up on the events notice board on this site? As Melis would attest, this discussion about Jams started because the 'committee' of SDNM wanted to give it greater exposure and support. So I assure you - there is always good will by all - just a bit 'clumsy' in showing it ;-{

  

p.s. we are hosting an alternate event to a 'Jam' - perhaps that might address some of the issues that had surfaced. Wee the event posting! Come and heckle us ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Stefanie on February 3, 2012 at 18:29

 Why do i feel like that the problem here is amongst the theorists/researchers than the general public....

'"bastardisation' of the tools we use, which then get taken out and propogated without people really understanding their power."

I speak on behalf of the holy gods of design methodology (being a disciple myself) and beg for mercy that we allow the community to bask in the power that we know and grasp within our mighty hands!! /endsarcasm

I have to echo Kristin that the jam is more of a fun event to expose others to 'design thinking' which encompasses design methodologies- specifically related to service design. I also agree with Harriet and Zaana that an entire weekend is something not all of us are capable of devoting ourselves to...

But, having said that...if the jam went over a month or two- it would be less likely that individuals like yourself would devote their time to such a commitment, am i wrong? Yes, there is potential for a 'real' outcome, but there is also equal potential things can fizzle out. And of course, if we had the jam in a day, it wouldnt really allow participants (assumedly most with no knowledge of design methods/service design) to fully get a 'feel' of this way of thinking, doing, creating, etc.

Feeling and doing, I have to say is the key word. It offers the community to get a 'feel' for it. Also, it is contradictory to say jams could be bastardising the industry as people 'dont fully understand their power'...yet, could be 'used to help create long term sustainable change' (??)

Most jams do have facilitators and mentors, who specialise in specific areas of knowledge that guide project teams throughout the weekend. "otherwise they're a lot of good ideas, with not real process for evaluating, synthesising and using." 

I cant speak for all jam hosts but having helped organise the global sustainability jam, we were aware of this and created a toolkit to accommodate a rapid weekend. It covered brainstorming, ideating, evaluating, prototyping and realising, etc. 

Sorry to sound a bit snarky, but if i heard the general public complain or make these sorts of comments i would take them a bit more seriously. Sometimes designers need to let go a little and build bridges between research and practice AND (*gasp*) the community! Sharing is caring ! :)

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