826National: Store + Mission = Magic

store + mission =magic

designing for integration at 826’s unique front door

goals Take the pulse of the current “state of the store” as it pertains to the 826 organization, mission, and vision at large. !Reflect on ways to bring more mission storytelling into the store experience. !Generate actionable ideas for integrating the store and center for various user groups. !Create an opportunity to look at the store + center relationship holistically + productively.

store + mission = magicdesigning for integration at 826’s unique front door

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intro + updates

insights !

challenge one: mission moment !

challenge two: integration

updatesI like, I wish, I wonder

(learn. what if?)

insightswhat does the store mean to you?

1gosh darn it,the stores are special.whimsical, creative, imaginative

How might we keep the magic at the heart and also make store’s relevant, accessible, impactful, and profitable?

2 integration is key.it can and does look different across 826, but is universally recognized as crucial.

How might we intentionally design in opportunities for connection of the store to the larger mission and organization?

mind the gap.

3 the perpetual hello. engaging users with preconceptions, misconceptions, or a blank slate.

How might we ensure that each hello is engaging, informative, and mission centric?

4 the user tango.

clarifying, empathizing, and designing for diverse audiences… such is the

How might we balance inventories and interactive elements suitable for each chapter’s locale?

5 untapped potentialThe store itself still contains a lot of

to impact programming, donor relations, & education.

How might we leverage these insights and look at the connection between store and center with new eyes?

“…a perfect first point of entry to what happens in the back.”

“…share our day to day magic with the community.”

create an invitation. focus on users.

design the experience. be a third place.

!

share mission moments. integrate the environment.

onechallenge

What’s a mission moment?

products

the purpose of the store is to: !

“..share our day-to-day magic with the wider community

...exciting, interactive space... conversations about programming...shelves and shelves of beautiful student publications…compelling

enough that someone walking in would want to

buy something to share 826 with other people in their lives.”

CHALLENGES: !

Volunteers “get it” if they are the Eggers-enthused crowd, but they don’t necessarily

shop in the store.

The store’s are built to be unlike any

store the customer’s been in. But if

the questions the store sparks aren’t quickly answered, the experience can be disenfranchising

rather than fun.

mission moment: !

Opportunities for storytelling about 826’s mission, impact, or programs.

These can be interactions, experiences, or artifacts that embody or explain core

values or impact.

How might we create more “mission moments”

in our 826 stores?

Share a “mission moment” that you’ve had or witnessed through 826.

one

groups of 2-3 5 min.

What are the ingredients of an 826 mission moment?

two

groups of 2-3 4 min.

How might we create more “mission moments” in the front of house?

!Generate 3-5 ideas to boost understanding

and enthusiasm around 826 with store customers through storytelling.

three

groups of 2-3 6 min.

twochallenge

Blur the lines: Integrating Storefront + Center

+ =

How might we enhance the integration between the store and tutoring/writing center: physically, programmatically, & culturally? !

CHALLENGE:

How might we connect the front and back of house for a particular user group?

users

Volunteers Staff Families Students Locals

UNDERSTAND & EMPATHIZE

INTERPRET & FRAME

IDEATE & VISUALIZE

FOCUS & SHARE

What is your user group’s current experience of 826? !

How well is the store connecting to the writing/tutoring center in the back of house? !

IDENTIFY 3-5 TOUCHPOINTS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE. !

Understand + Empathize 6 MINUTES

Interpret + Frame

What is strong about these touch points? Where are there gaps? !

IDENTIFY 2-3 CHALLENGE STATEMENTS.

5 MINUTES

“How might we…”

Ideate + Visualize

Individually: Sketch 3- 5 radical ways you can integrate the 826 experience for this user group or solve a current challenge. !

!

!

Group: Share and build upon your ideas.

10 MINUTES

Focus + Share

Cluster or rearrange ideas by theme. !

Identify your group’s top ideas by each placing 3 votes on your favorites. !

Share your top ideas with the group.

5 MINUTES

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Reflections