We empower collective intelligence
Drawing from the fields of anthropology, urban planning and design, we have developed a practice in the realm of Collective Intelligence.
In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are yet to fully explore the potential of Collective Intelligence (CI). When numerous people work together, compete, and put up their best efforts, shared or collective intelligence is created, and it manifests itself in the form of a vision, a program or a plan.
We apply collective intelligence to knowledge creation, innovation, conflict resolution and problem-solving..
We are a collective
We are a highly mobile and driven collective with offices in Geneva, Paris, New York, Bogota and Mumbai. We like to dive deep into local contexts as much as discovering new horizons.
Our methodologies have been successfully applied in a variety of places and situations. Our highly mobile multilingual team is capable of operating in the field within communities as well as at strategic levels within organisations.
We work with You
AI can help answer “how” questions. We address the “why” and the “what”.
Why should we change our ways? What do we want for our community? What strategy is best for our team?
The “how” questions can best be answered by groups who are tasked with implementing and using the solutions: How should we redesign our workspace? How can we manage our community garden? We believe that users are experts of their environments. Harnessing their intelligence through collaboration brings game changing outcomes to any project.
We rediscover what is right before our eyes
We sometimes need to take a step back and look at what we have before us, only with different lenses. Instead of starting from scratch, we strive to recognize the existing context with their strengths and weaknesses, and we build on them. Identity, culture, norms and spaces are constantly evolving. Our goal is to align this evolutionary dynamic with a shared vision and a well-grounded strategy.
We Do Process Based Design
If you know how it’s going to look before you start the process, then you don’t need us. If you are open to see the solution emerge along the way, then we can help. Our tools and methodologies have themselves emerged from years of experimentation in radically different contexts. We propose not only innovative solutions but a bespoke process to get you there.
We Believe in creative Interaction
Consensus is a wonderful thing when it emerges naturally and spontaneously. When enforced, it can often be frustrating and ineffective. Rather than repressing the tension areas we like to acknowledge them. A starting point in the process is the clear articulation of preferences. Once these are mapped out, those tension areas become a structuring force for the undertaking of a creative project.
Fieldwork
In situ interactions and observations enable us to deeply understand the context of a place, a subject or key issues at stake. Honest conversations and spontaneous exchanges help us to build empathy with different perspectives and narratives. We are able to draw from these insights to begin framing how things are now, and how they could/ should be.
Focus Groups
A good focus group should have a maximum of 12 people and clear objectives. A lot can get done in about 2 hours when we know what we are looking for and create space for everyone to contribute. Focus groups can be held with a diverse group on a single theme, or with like-minded people on different topics or both.
Social Data Analysis
Sometimes we must generate the qualitative data that we are looking for, sometimes it already exists. Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Google Maps and many other social media tools are a treasure trove of information. People produce content, leave comments and reviews, all great material for us to analyse.
User profiles & scenarios
People are diverse and can exhibit their unique and unexpected ways. Yet, trying to identify “types” can sometimes help produce scenarios highlighting multiple perspectives. With one foot in sociology and another in storytelling, scenarios can help test, visualise, and communicate the realm of possibilities.
Semi-structured interviews
A good interview is one which is well prepared and yet takes us on varied tangents. It is essential to know what we are looking for when we request someone's time, but more often than not, the most interesting output of an interview is something we could not have foreseen. This is why taking time, and having a genuine interest in people is an essential aspect of our work.
Benchmarking
You are not alone! There are many people in other parts of the world that are looking for similar solutions in different contexts. Learning from other people's experiences, whether they are successful or not, is an essential dimension of good practice.
Interactive questionnaires
While we value face to face interactions the most, we also understand the value of a good qualitative questionnaire. They typically help reach other audiences who we might not be able to meet. We use different tools, including map-based questionnaires to get feedback from a wide range of respondents.
