The 8 tips we learnt to collaborate beyond physical place

With recent Covid restrictions in Hong Kong lifted progressively over end 2022 and early 2023, most of us have returned to a physical working environment. However, One Bite Design Studio has experimented with different digital tools to create an engaging digital experience over the 3-year long pandemic which we would love to share with you!

When we talk about placemaking, we usually start with creating a “place” for people to mingle and communicate. Despite the boundaries of 'place' blurred between physical and virtual realms, onebite steadfastly believe people remain at the core of interactive experiences: show care and pay extra attention to details. Embrace the new normal with openness, fun, and inject new twists.

#tip1 / Minimise Tech Barrier through pre-programme tutorials and extra support

Not everyone loves tech (and we hate tech sometimes, do you?). To encourage different users to try new digital platforms, we recommend to provide pre-programme tutorial sessions. Doing so not only warms up our functional skills but also gives everyone a warm welcome, and helps keep virtual communities inclusive.

#tip2 / Help Participants to Warm Up through virtual backgrounds and low-tech game

We sometimes feel shy to switch on our camera when we haven’t tidied up our room enough, and we know how interactions will be lowered when we cannot literally “see” each other in the virtual environment. This is the best time for virtual backgrounds! Well-designed virtual backgrounds for group identification helps to build the team’s sense of belonging in just one click. Not attractive enough? Low-tech games such as warm-ups that require body movement and facial expression will be your second dose! Smiles make everyone look good!

#tip3 / Make it FUN! through interactions, hand signals and camera filter

Everyone gets tired after a couple of hours sitting in front of the computer and looking at the screen. Ensure you design the programme with a mix of virtual and physical interaction, giving stimulation to your participants regularly through the use of hand signals, changing your look via camera filter and actively talking to trigger better conversations.

#tip4 / Meet virtually in REAL through personalised gather.town space

Make your virtual communities memorable by creating diversified and personalised environments for participants. Break the tech boundary by designing beautiful virtual spaces that people can explore, play and remember. Make good use of the avatars to engage and interact. Why so serious? Make everyone laugh!

#tip5/ Own the ideas through global build function and pre-set components

We see no difference between bringing communities together in a physical or digital environment where facilitation is necessary. What makes community facilitation different is the tools and preparation. Empower participants to create and own their ideas by enabling the global build function in gather.town space and carefully-designed pre-set components. Lower the barrier, optimising creativity and flexibility. The community will surprise you!

#tip6/ Unbox the screen through material packs

Human touch is the key to unboxing the boundary of the screen. Do not underestimate the joy of receiving a physical gift. Treat every participant as a guest to your virtual party. Make good use of the mix of digital and physical tools to interplay diversified activities.

#tip7/ Give time for the community to ferment through silent observation

We all need a moment of silence. Balance active and quiet sessions in running your virtual communities. Allow participants to think, reflect and distil. Observe the changes quietly, but do not forget to play your favourite soft music!

#tip8/ Arrange regular get-togethers through simple motions

Precisely the same as real places, people may gradually lose interest and will not visit again when there are no happenings. Keep the virtual communities vibrant through regular get-togethers on gather.town. Simple dance, exercise and chitchats bring the liveliness back immediately. Make gatherings a routine; that is why we love kaifongs, are we?