Blend Week

The workforce of 2020 and beyond will need to excel at complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration according to the World Economic Forum. This change requires us all to rethink how we work and how we prepare for work. Deep-learning remains critical but it’s important that workers and students are equipped to tackle the rate of change and the possibilities it affords. Our brief was to circuit-break deep-learning within a time-boxed experience that helps develop ‘T-shaped’ people in readiness for this required reality.

Blend Week is an accredited curriculum designed by Tricky Jigsaw, facilitated by UTS and enriched by an industry sponsors live brief. Participants investigate, ideate, customer test and iterate to create products, services and experiences that are pitched to execs for funding and further development. The pace is furious, the teams cross-disciplinary, feedback tough and the outcomes surprising and ready for buy-in and execution. Now entering its third year Blend Week has collaborated with Education NSW and Sydney Fish Market. Successfully blending visual communications, industrial design and business students with teachers, fisherman and our own design leaders.

Since 2017, over 80 participants have experienced our annual Blend Week. Blended teams generated 100’s of concepts that get whittled to 9 validated ideas pitched to execs live with video and theatrics! Two standout ideas have been progressed into pilot phases and exceptional teams have been employed on separate projects. Outside of the annual event this short-structured approach is garnering interest from People & Development leaders. To help in the development of an innovator's mindset within their workplaces. Allowing exponentially more attendees to hone the skill-sets needed to thrive in an ever changing working world.

#1 Templitised for Scalability All client briefs are based off ‘customer jobs’ pre-developed by Tricky Jigsaw to ensure truly customer centric ideas. Participants are equipped with the bespoke Tricky Jigsaw toolkit, method cards and masterclasses to accelerate learning - these include customer testing, pitching and storytelling. #2 Accredited Blend Week is recognised by UTS as a subject counting towards credit points within any degree. #3 Accelerated & Validated Running at real business problems in a controlled environment allows the formation, validation and progression of ideas in just 6 days. The end of the 'week' results in pitching to executives for future development. #4 Diversity of thought Participants come from a range of backgrounds to create a unique blend of skill-sets which vary every year. We've blended visual communications, industrial design and business students with teachers, fisherman and our own design leaders. #5 A learning triumvirate Exposure of participants to a three pronged industry team. A client with a real problem they need solving, a world class agency who provides brutal feedback to push ideas further and UTS tutors who provide support and guidance on how to work with clients and accept feedback.