"Yes...And"

Variation 1: Written

1. Start by clearly stating the broad design challenge that is the focus of the workshop. For instance, if the case study is about designing a new town square (see Case 4, p. 75 in the toolkit), the challenge could be: “How can the new town center become a transformative space?”;
2. Next, give participants one minute to think of a more specific question related to the design challenge and write it on the top of a sheet of paper. An example could be: “How can the new square incorporate a sense of play?” or “How can the new square be like a stork’s nest?;
3. Each person passes their question to the person on their left, who then has one minute to add an idea or a suggestion;
4. The paper is passed again, and the next person starts by writing “Yes... and...” and then adding their suggestion. The rest of the group continues in the same fashion until the paper has returned to the original owner of the question;
5. The question owner then reads all of the answers and elaborates a final suggestion or synthesis;
6. Ask participants to share how they felt during the exercise: what was difficult or easy, what was surprising and inspiring. Take a few minutes to note down thoughts, ideas, or inspirations.

Variation 2: Spoken

1. First, identify a question;
2. Then, in pairs, triads, or small groups, ask one person to start by proposing an idea;
3. The next person adds to the idea, starting by saying “Yes, and...”, continuing around the circle in the same fashion;
4. After 1-3 rounds are completed, participants share how they felt during the exercise: what was difficult or easy, what was surprising and inspiring. Facilitators note down thoughts, ideas, and inspirations;
5. To start a new round, ask another person to initiate the process with a new idea or question.

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