Convers(ate)

Background

Convers(ate) was created by Mollie Khine and Taylor Buonocore-Guthrie to facilitate authentic communication and meaningful connection. In 2019, their cards had been used at friendly gatherings, dinners, and in professional workshops, but they wondered how Convers(ate) could be used in educational spaces.

In a self-directed internship, I took on exploring this question. I hosted a Convers(ate) gathering with a group of students, interviewed my invitees as well as other students and teachers, and synthesized my research into insights and directions for Mollie and Taylor to use.

sent invitations
planned meal
got Convers(ate) cards & chose topic

PREPARATION

MAY - JUNE

GATHERING

JUNE 27

interviewed guests
interviewed other students & teachers

INTERVIEWS

JUNE - JULY

translated insights into directions and design principles for Mollie & Taylor

SYNTHESIS & DIRECTIONS

AUGUST

Observations

Standing / congregating by door
Hugging, laughing, smiles

Introduce guests to each other

ARRIVAL

INVITEES

SELF

Find seats, “can I sit here?” “are we doing assigned seats”
Dish up food

Pour coffee
Set food on table
Felt slightly self-conscious as I transitioned into host and facilitator
Work and friends colliding → being formal felt awkward / unnatural

SETTLING

Popcorn answers to questions “So how does this work?”
“I agree!” “Same.” “Similarly, I....”

‘Call on’ people if they haven’t spoken or answered questions
Ask if there are more thoughts
Worried that the discussion wasn’t rich enough
Am I defining richness as diversity in thoughts / experiences / stories shared?
How might my selection of guests have shaped this gathering?

CONVERS(ATE)ING

WRAP UP

Fill out takeaway cards
Share takeaways
Gather things

Fill out takeaway card
Clear dishes
Thank guests

“I’ve actively sought out spaces to engage in debate and conversations, so this felt very familiar to me”

“Felt a little like the 'get-to-know-you' conversations we had in freshman dorms”

“I’ve definitely had deeper conversations… Maybe this was meant for more professional settings or older adults who aren't used to community conversation?”

“I feel like there are lots of opportunities to have conversations on college campuses, you just have to find them”

“It was fun to get to know [ ] !”

“These would be great to use on a date!”

Interpretations

I investigated my observations and what I heard in interviews through mindmapping the experience.

This process revealed questions, or, areas to investigate further. First, what does a gathering look like with students and on college campuses-- how are topics, groups, and hosts chosen?

Second, what are Convers(ate) gatherings intentions and desired impact-- how are Convers(ate) spaces unique from other discussion spaces, how do they bring up conversations that aren't being had?

Directions

I shared with Taylor and Mollie these questions and suggestions to investigate as they think about education spaces. Given the time, I would have loved to investigate these more myself and work with them in implementation.

Build an education specific Convers(ate) deck.

What conversations aren't being had at universities? High schools? In classrooms? In dorms? Between teachers and students? Between students?

Add structure to gatherings.

How are gatherings different in large vs. small groups? Who should host gatherings? How might intention and purpose be communicated to students? What intentions are meaningful to students?