The Future of Meetings Isn’t Zoom, It’s Icebreakers

Let’s be honest, either you love them or you hate them. But the fact is, when successfully facilitated, ice breakers work.

Warm-up games (which we sometimes call “stokes”) are a shortcut for turning meetings into collaborations. The very reason they make us uncomfortable is the reason they work: they quickly break down barriers and help us connect with each other in new ways. Athletic coaches never send their players out onto the field without a warm-up. It should be the same for meetings and classrooms.

In this interactive session, we’ll walk through “stokes” for different situations and talk about when, why and how to execute successful icebreakers with confidence. You’ll lead more effective meetings with more creative outcomes.

This workshop is open to everyone.

Facilitator:

Kate Canales | Department Chair and Distinguished Senior Lecturer, Department of Design, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Design

Kate Canales is a Distinguished Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Department of Design in the School of Design and Creative Technologies at the University of Texas at Austin. Previously Canales was a clinical professor and the director of Design and Innovation Programs at the Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University. She is the founder and director of SMU’s pioneering Master of Arts degree in Design and Innovation (MADI) which trains students of all backgrounds in human-centered design as a method for innovating in any field. Kate has a background in mechanical engineering, product design and design research, and much of her recent work has focused on building creative capacity inside organizations.

Prior to SMU, Kate worked as a designer and design researcher at IDEO and as a creative director at frog design, both internationally recognized leaders in the field of design and innovation.

Parking & Transportation:

There is paid street parking available onsite/near by. Be sure to check out our sustainable transportation recommendations. This venue is ADA accessible.

ADW21 Event Information:

The health and safety of our attendees, participants, and greater community is extremely important to us. Please be sure to check out our Health & Safety at ADW21 page for the latest safety updates and policies surrounding in-person events.

You’ll be emailed any additional instructions for how to join the event at least 24-hours prior to the event start time. The information will be sent via Eventbrite so please check your spam if you don't see it in your inbox.

Austin Design Week is committed to a harassment-free event experience for everyone. Our Code of Conduct can be found here. We are also committed to creating an inclusive, accessible space. All virtual events will have automated captioning. If you need additional accommodations, please email us at info@austindesignweek.org as soon as possible to let us know.

For the full Austin Design Week schedule, check out austindesignweek.org.