Concept Testing

After understanding the landscape, and the most relevant design parameters, I started pitching my concept for feedback:

“The only way in which we can start addressing big complex issues that cause division and polarization among us is by having uncomfortable conversations: conversations where we’ll have to ask the point of view, about the way of thinking, about how other people feel, where we’re gonna hear things that we may not agree with, conversations that will defy what we believe as true.

Only when we’re able to understand the other’s point of view and our personal triggers, we’ll be able to establish a common ground for understanding.

I’m creating a toolset where, through a play and exploration mindset, people will be ready to engage in this conversations. It’ll be an invitation to explore, question and challenge what we believe and who we are”

Claudia

Strategist at Purpose

MS Strategic Design and Management Parsons School of Design 18 Claudia herself has been working on having this kind of difficult conversations. Purpose PBC is a strategy consultancy, a creative agency and a social movement incubator. They work building and supporting movements to advance the fight for an open, just, and habitable world.

She seemed excited about the project, and suggested that it’s important to find the right scope for starters. What specific “big issue” am I trying to address? Who is my target beneficiary, in detail?

Another thing that she mentioned is that it’s important to explain why this is important. Why having difficult conversations or learning from other people’s experience is relevant? What might we gain if we do so?

When I told Maria about the project, she was interested in learning more about my motivation, so I told her the story of how I became aware that engaging in difficult conversations is important.

She mentioned I should dive into the concept of identity, how the narratives that we grow up with shape us, and how we change our identity when we learn something new.

“Seems like you’re trying to understand how our perception of identity changes depending on the context, and how by learning from others we can rewrite the narratives that we’ve grown with, making them more inclusive”.

Maria

Transitional Justice and Humanitarian Assistance National Programme Officer at Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Master of Global Affairs and International Peace Studies University of Notre Dame