Let's get ACTIVE

In our fully connected society, where people are more and more driven by self-expression values instead of needs, in which problems are complex and where consumers are looking for transformative interactive experiences, we need a different way of value creation. Foremost; we need a different way of looking at the world, doing business and a new approach to the leisure domain. We need Imagineering, ‘Engineering for imagination’ (Nijs, 2013).

There is a distinction between two entities:

  1. Imagineering as a perspective which is a way of working, acting and thinking. It’s a way of looking at the world and dealing with subjects and challenges.
  2. Imagineering as a design method is a way of doing things.

Although both differ in functionality there is a common frame. With this frame you can create a culture of innovation and engagement and design meaningful experiences. That’s the goal of Imagineering and that is also the goal of our education, which explains the central role of Imagineering in the competency model.
In order to determine whether something is Imagineering, six criteria need to be present which fit both the overarching Imagineering perspective and the Imagineering design method. ACTIVE represent those criteria: Appreciative, Co-creative, Transformative, Imaginative, Values based, Experience focused.
Answer the questionnaire and find out whether you or your idea is ACTIVE.

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Appreciative


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

use positive language?

build upon the strengths and potential instead of the problems and impossibilities?

create new inspiring perspectives for the future?


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Co-creative


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

build upon the power of the stakeholders?

keep the dialogue open and alive?

let the involved stakeholders create/design themselves OR does it invite them to create themselves?


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Transformative


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

focus on some kind of desired change?

inspire people to think or act differently?

lead to a desired, sustainable and valuable change?


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Imaginative


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

appeal to the imagination of stakeholders?

consciously use creativity?

create a new idea or combination that doesn't exist yet?


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Values-based


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

work from (shared) values?

reflect or make visible which (shared) values are used?

add meaning for stakeholders?


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Experience focused


Did you or does it (the oneliner, the concept, the organisation or the process):

inspire participation?

evoke positive emotions?

create a long lasting impression?


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Congratulations, here is your Imagineering energy field!

The outer lines represent the Imagineering energy field and how the perfectly shaped field should look like. But of course, energy is very dynamic and is constantly moving and changing, just like our society. The inner lines represent the score of your product or process. It gives a visual representation of the current situation, and it can also be used as a starting point for the most desired situation. The figure shows where the focus is and where there is room for dialogue to improve or add elements. You can use it as a tool to start a discussion and to assess the Imagineering character of something. If there are elements with a low score you can consider to improve or change them. Please note, that it's also possible that you decide not to change anything at all, as long as this is a very conscious choice. ACTIVE does not have the intention to provide you with the ultimate truth on your product or process, it only wants to offer you a tool to help you create more meaningful experiences and a culture of innovation and engagement.

You can download the visual by right clicking on it and choose: Save as.


Printprint van Dam & Ouwens, 2015