1. Workshop 01 Virtual participants
Brainstorming
+
Affinity Diagramming
=
AFFINITYSTORMING

2. Workshop Overview
In this workshop, we will develop and identify key goals of our
Graduate Design Network. We will brainstorm together to generate
lots of ideas. We will affinity diagram to organize and categorize ideas.
Each workshop will address one of the 4 domains:
Value of Graduate Programs
Future Generations/Legacy
Relationship between Practice and Academia
Inter-institutional Relationships

3. GOAL
Develop and identify key goals
of our Graduate Design Network.

4. METHODS
Brainstorming
+
Affinity Diagramming
+ Platform: Edistorm

5. METHOD 1
Brainstorming
The spontaneous and uncensored
contribution of ideas from all members
of the group. This will happen though a
loosely organized activity where group
members propose ideas.

6. Here are some main points to remember:
- Spontaneous generation of ideas
- Free your creativity
- Without censorship

7. METHOD 2
Affinity Diagramming:
Organize and sort your ideas into groups
with common themes. At first your groups
might be very large, but these post its can
be organized into subgroups. Choose titles
for groups that cover the main idea of why
they are grouped together.

8. Here are some main points to remember:
- Organize and group ideas
- Talk to your group members
- Collaborate with a new group

9. BEFORE THE
WORKSHOP

10. Watch the Edistorm Tutorial.

11. Sign-up for Edistorm.

12. At your workshop time Login
to your designated Edistorm.

13. DURING THE
WORKSHOP

14. 20 MINUTES
BRAIN-
STORM

15. 1. Find your name.
2. Read your prompt.
Respond to the questions
you see posted within your
brainstorm space.
3. Brainstorm
individually.
Generate as many short
phrases and responses
as possible.

16. TIPS
Write a word or a phrase that explains
your idea.

17. TIPS
Generating ideas should be rapid. Don’t
over think it. Every idea is a good idea!

18. TIPS
Enjoy the process. Embrace the
ridiculous – Crazy is good!

19. 20 MINUTES
AFFINITY

20. 1. Find your partner’s
name.
2. Sort their notes
into clusters.
Move around each note to
create different clusters.
Clusters are a loose
arrangement of ideas which
have something in common.
3. Add header cards.
Header cards should act as
title or theme for each cluster.

21. TIPS
Rapidly sort ideas into related groups.

22. STORM CHAT
TIPS
If you don’t understand Great minds think alike, haha!
a post, ask your partner Oh hey, I had a note like that too! But I
called it: frustrations or obstacles
questions through the Ohhhhhh, okay
Storm Chat. I was talking about how there will be good
and bad sides to collaborating
What did you mean by “Opportunity and
Risks?”
Yeah that is a good theme!

23. TIPS
Make your header cards
clear and concise.
HEADER CARD EXAMPLES

24. Look at how your partner orga-
nized your notes, re-organize,
and edit your clusters and head-
er cards to create more refined
groups.
10 MINUTES
REFINE

25. 1. Find your name.
2. Organize your
clusters.
Look for small sets within
your larger clusters and ask
yourself “Should this belong
in a smaller or larger group?”
3. Edit your header
cards.
Edit old header cards or
create new header cards to
accurately summarize each
cluster.

26. AFTER THE
WORKSHOP

27. After completing the workshop
activities, look over your refined
affinity diagram. Choose a cluster
or note which you felt was the
most profound response you
discovered through your affinity
diagramming. These summary
10 MINUTES statements can be uploaded
REFLECT online, and will be used in the
physical workshop during our
panel discussion.

28. Have fun
affinity storming!