Drawing Together

Purpose

Drawing Together uses collaborative drawing to reveal how people perceive their current situation, their vision, and the path between. By bypassing verbal filters, it surfaces emotions, mental models, and assumptions that words often miss. Use it as a check-in, a diagnostic, or a creative warm-up when you want to access non-linear, holistic thinking.

At a glance

• Group size: 4–40 people
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Facilitation style: Structured
• Setting: Indoor / Remote-friendly

How to run

1. Introduce the five drawing elements (2 min): Circle = wholeness, Triangle = goal, Square = stability, Spiral = change, Star = relationship. Display them visibly.
2. Draw (5 min): Each person draws a picture using these five symbols to represent their experience of the current situation. No words on the drawing.
3. Share in pairs (5 min): Partners explain their drawings to each other. Ask: "What stands out? What does the drawing reveal that words might not?"
4. Harvest (3 min): A few volunteers share insights with the whole group.

Materials needed

• Paper (A4 or A3)
• Coloured markers or crayons
• Visual guide to the five elements
• Timer

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Participants saying "I can't draw" — emphasise that artistic skill is irrelevant; the symbols are abstract and universal.
• Analysing drawings too literally — the conversation about the drawing matters more than the drawing itself.
• Rushing the sharing phase — the insight emerges when people explain their choices.

Inclusion & accessibility

• The method bypasses language barriers since it uses universal symbols.
• For visually impaired participants, provide tactile materials (clay, pipe cleaners) as alternatives.
• The simplicity of five symbols makes it accessible to all, regardless of artistic background.

Variations

• Before-and-after drawing: Draw the current state, then the desired future state.
• Group mural: Everyone draws on one large sheet simultaneously.
• Digital Drawing Together: Use a shared canvas tool for remote groups.

When NOT to use this

Avoid Drawing Together when the group is highly analytical and resistant to non-verbal methods — it may feel trivial to them. Also not suitable when precise, data-driven assessment is needed.

Source & further reading

Developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless as part of Liberating Structures. See liberatingstructures.com.