102.10 COMFORT/CHAOS
It can be helpful to map where you and your team are at different points in the design process. Comfort zones can be places to rest and recover. Depending on our relationship with chaos, that zone can be uniquely productive as well. In general, we want to be in the yellow zone: not in our comfort zone, but not in chaos. Our circles can and do shift across seasons of our lives, days of the week, and even moment to moment.
IDEATION
COMFORT/
CHAOS
Preparation
This is a solo or group activity.
It takes about 2 minutes.
You'll need something to write on and with.
(e.g., a piece of paper, a whiteboard (analog or digital) and a pen or marker.
Instructions
At any time in the design process, but especially in ideation, consider the challenge you are facing and then draw three concentric circles on a sheet of paper.
Label the center “comfort” and the outer circle “chaos.”
Assess where you are on this map.
Tips
The shape of our circles is dynamic and changes over time and based on what we're doing.
Consider that your comfort zone may be tiny or very large. Same with chaos and learning.
There is no "goal" place to be. Sometimes comfort is just what we need, and even chaos can be desirable, too. Use this activity to reflect on where you are and where you want or need to be in any given step of the design process.
Extend
This is a great activity to do in a group.
It's also informative to do it regularly to see how you (and others) are doing over time.
Consider
How do things change depending on what you're doing, who you're with, or how you feel?
When is comfort best for you? When is chaos?
