Discover the Global Virtual Design Sprint: Collaborate, Showcase, and Innovate
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Global Virtual Design Sprint
- The Evolution of Design Sprints
- The Role of Facilitators and Designers in Virtual Design Sprints
- The Benefits of Participating in the Global Virtual Design Sprint
- The New Features of GVDS6
- The Timeline and Commitment of Participating in GVDS
- Pricing and Financial Assistance Options
- The Community of Practice for GVDS Participants
- Resources and Additional Information
❖ Introduction
Hello everyone! My name is Robert Scrobe, and I am the owner and operator of Dallas Design Sprints. Today, I want to introduce you to the Global Virtual Design Sprint (GVDS). If you've never heard of it before or have only heard rumors, I'm here to explain what it's all about, why you should be interested, and what you can expect from participating in this exciting event.
❖ The Global Virtual Design Sprint (GVDS)
The Global Virtual Design Sprint was initially created for individuals who wanted to practice design sprints but didn't have an outlet for it. In 2018, the concept of design sprints was gaining popularity, but the emphasis was primarily on in-person workshops. As someone who believed that virtual design sprints were becoming increasingly viable, I decided to experiment with the idea. In November, we conducted our first virtual design sprint, and it was a huge success. Since then, the GVDS has evolved into a platform for professionals to showcase their skills, collaborate in small teams, and tackle real-world challenges.
❖ The Evolution of Design Sprints
Design sprints have come a long way since their inception. Initially, they were predominantly done in person, and the idea of virtual sprints wasn't widely embraced. However, with advancements in technology and resources, virtual design sprints have become a viable alternative. The GVDS has played a significant role in exploring and promoting the possibilities of virtual design sprints. Today, it is a highly respected event that brings together facilitators, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across the globe.
❖ The Role of Facilitators and Designers in Virtual Design Sprints
Facilitators and designers play crucial roles in the success of virtual design sprints. Facilitators have the responsibility of guiding the teams, ensuring effective communication, and creating a productive environment. Designers bring their expertise in various areas, such as UX design, development, and market research, to contribute to the team's overall efforts. By working together, facilitators and designers create a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere in virtual design sprints.
❖ The Benefits of Participating in the Global Virtual Design Sprint
Participating in the Global Virtual Design Sprint offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it provides unparalleled networking opportunities with professionals from diverse backgrounds. The event fosters collaboration and enables participants to showcase their skills and expertise. Additionally, the GVDS follows a "learn by doing" approach, allowing participants to apply their knowledge and produce tangible outcomes. It also serves as a platform for individuals to enhance their professional brand and explore career opportunities.
Pros:
- Networking opportunities with professionals from various backgrounds.
- Opportunities to showcase skills and expertise.
- Practical application of knowledge through the "learn by doing" approach.
- Platform for enhancing professional brand and exploring career opportunities.
Cons:
- Requires a significant time commitment.
- Costs associated with participation.
❖ The New Features of GVDS6
The upcoming GVDS6 introduces several exciting new features. One of the major highlights is the inclusion of official challenges from real organizations. These challenges have specific requirements and deadlines, allowing teams to showcase their problem-solving skills and potentially make a real impact. Another focus of GVDS6 is pretotyping, a method of testing ideas in the market before investing substantial resources. Furthermore, there will be enhanced support materials, such as template videos, guides, and examples, to aid participants in the sprint process.
❖ The Timeline and Commitment of Participating in GVDS
The GVDS typically spans four weeks, with each week dedicated to specific activities. The first week involves team formation and preliminary activities. The second week focuses on problem framing, subject matter expert interviews, and data analysis. The third week is the most intense, dedicated to the actual design sprint process. Finally, in the fourth week, teams showcase their work and receive recognition for their efforts. While the GVDS requires a commitment of around 40 to 45 hours throughout the month, the schedule is flexible to accommodate participants' availability.
❖ Pricing and Financial Assistance Options
Participating in the GVDS incurs a cost, which varies based on factors such as previous involvement, student status, and early bird registration. The pricing tiers aim to reward loyalty and make the event accessible to a wide range of participants. Financial assistance options are available for individuals facing financial hardships, allowing them to delay payment until the next GVDS event. The goal is to ensure that anyone passionate about participating can do so, regardless of their current financial situation.
❖ The Community of Practice for GVDS Participants
The GVDS has a thriving community of practice, which provides participants with ongoing learning and networking opportunities. Joining the community allows individuals to connect with like-minded professionals, stay updated on the latest tools and approaches, and engage in offline events. The community of practice fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous growth. To join, interested individuals can access the Slack channel or subscribe to the community mailing list.
❖ Resources and Additional Information
For more information about the GVDS, you can visit the official website, linkedin page, or GVDS showcase. These platforms offer testimonials, event recaps, articles, and examples of past sprints. They provide comprehensive resources for understanding the GVDS and getting involved in upcoming events. Additionally, individuals can connect with Robert Scrobe, the organizer of the GVDS, on LinkedIn for any further inquiries or discussions.
🌟 Highlights:
- The Global Virtual Design Sprint (GVDS) is an innovative platform for professionals to collaborate, showcase their skills, and tackle real-world challenges.
- Virtual design sprints have evolved into a viable alternative to in-person workshops, allowing for wider participation and flexibility.
- Facilitators and designers play crucial roles in ensuring the success of virtual design sprints, creating a collaborative and productive environment.
- Participating in the GVDS offers networking opportunities, skill development, and the chance to create tangible outcomes through hands-on learning.
- GVDS6 introduces new features including official challenges, an emphasis on pretotyping, and enhanced support materials.
- The GVDS timeline spans four weeks, offering flexibility to accommodate participants' availability.
- Pricing options and financial assistance are available to make the event accessible to a diverse range of participants.
- The GVDS community of practice provides ongoing learning and networking opportunities for participants to connect and grow together.
- Resources such as the official website, LinkedIn page, and GVDS showcase offer comprehensive information and examples of past sprints.
- Robert Scrobe, the organizer of the GVDS, is available on LinkedIn for further inquiries and discussions.
📚 Resources:
- Official Global Virtual Design Sprint (GVDS) Website: [Insert Website URL]
- GVDS LinkedIn Page: [Insert LinkedIn URL]
- GVDS Showcase: [Insert Showcase URL]
- GVDS Slack Channel: [Insert Slack Channel URL]
- GVDS Community Mailing List: [Insert Mailing List Sign-Up URL]
FAQ:
Q: What is the Global Virtual Design Sprint (GVDS)?
A: The GVDS is an event that brings together professionals from various backgrounds to collaborate and tackle real-world challenges through design sprints conducted virtually.
Q: How long does the GVDS last?
A: The GVDS typically spans four weeks, with each week dedicated to specific activities such as team formation, problem framing, the design sprint process, and showcasing.
Q: Are there financial assistance options for participating in GVDS?
A: Yes, individuals facing financial hardships can request to delay payment until the next GVDS event. The goal is to make the event accessible to passionate participants regardless of their current financial situation.
Q: How can I connect with other GVDS participants and stay updated on future events?
A: You can join the GVDS Slack channel or subscribe to the community mailing list to connect with like-minded professionals, stay updated on events, and engage in offline activities.
Q: What resources are available for understanding the GVDS?
A: The official GVDS website, LinkedIn page, and GVDS showcase offer comprehensive information, testimonials, recaps, articles, and examples of past sprints. These resources provide a deeper understanding of the event and its impact.
Q: How can I get in touch with the organizer of the GVDS?
A: You can connect with Robert Scrobe, the organizer of the GVDS, on LinkedIn for any inquiries, discussions, or further information about the event.
