The New Narratives Collage at Good Design İzmir_10 "Dirlik": Reflecting on a Collective Journey

Last October in İzmir, as part of the İyi Tasarım / Good Design İzmir _10 ""Dirlik" , we had the privilege of facilitating La Fresque des Nouveaux Récits — the New Narratives Collage, in collaboration with the French Institute in Izmir. This participatory and creative methodology invited participants to explore how cultural narratives shape the futures we imagine — specifically considering the context of climate change and socio-ecological transformation.

Over 3,5 hours, 3 groups worked hands-on with visual materials, storytelling tools, and collaborative mapping to uncover the dominant narratives that influence our collective behaviors and choices. Together, they traced the stories we inherit, examined the assumptions beneath them, and explored alternative narratives capable of supporting regenerative, inclusive, and resilient futures.

Designed by a community of French artists, designers, scientists, and educators, the workshop combines systems thinking, dialogue, collage-making, and imagination. The atmosphere was both serious and playful — a space where complexity became tangible and creativity became a way to engage with uncertainty.

Hosting this New Narratives Collage in İzmir created an inspiring meeting ground for local designers, educators, creatives, and members of the public to reflect on the role of imagination in our society and more specifically in sustainable design. The workshop was adapted to the Turkish audience to ensure accessibility.

[Share stories that emerged]

What emerged

Participants collectively created new narratives that established the links between today’s dominant societal stories and visions of the futures they wish to generate. These stories were shared with the help of creative supports, like music, photo collages, prototypes, and illustrations.

Beyond the immediate event, the workshop planted seeds for a renewed sense of collaboration and the use of art, design, cultural innovation, and climate storytelling in the region.

Why the New Narratives Collage Matters for Organizations

While the experience was rooted in creativity and collective learning, its value extends directly into the world of work — particularly for companies navigating uncertainty, transformation, and the need for new mindsets.

The New Narratives Collage offers organizations a powerful and practical way to:

1. Strengthen change readiness and mindset evolution

Participants examine the stories that shape their expectations, assumptions, and fears about change. This helps teams understand where resistance comes from — and what narratives could actually support a shift in perspective and behavior.

2. Build team cohesion and shared purpose

Because the workshop is co-creative and highly interactive, teams naturally develop a shared vision. Mapping a collective narrative creates alignment and fosters psychological safety — crucial elements for high-performing teams.

3. Boost creativity and strategic imagination

Leaders, executives, and HR professionals often struggle to balance operational demands with long-term vision. The New Narratives Collage creates a structured space for imaginative thinking grounded in system awareness, helping teams step outside day-to-day constraints and explore possible futures.

4. Reveal organizational norms that may need to evolve

The narrative-mapping process often surfaces implicit norms, blind spots, and outdated assumptions. This allows companies to identify cultural patterns that support or hinder transformation — especially around sustainability, innovation, and leadership.

5. Co-create a story that can guide the company forward

In the second part of the workshop, participants may draft a new narrative — one that expresses the values, aspirations, and commitments they want the organization to embody.

This shared story can then be used to:

• inspire other employees

• inform change initiatives

• support leadership communication

• anchor the company during uncertain times

A co-created narrative has weight because it is built on many shoulders. It becomes a cultural compass — one that can be carried far, and one that people actually recognize themselves in.

6. Enhance employee identification and engagement

When staff members help shape the story of the company, they are more motivated to contribute to its future. Co-creation increases ownership, commitment, and a sense of belonging — essential factors for retention and well-being at work.

Looking Ahead

The New Narratives Collage in İzmir was more than a one-time event: it marked the beginning of a deeper dialogue between design and organizational culture, ecology and innovation, collective intelligence and strategic clarity.

For organizations in Turkey seeking to strengthen creativity, collaboration, and change readiness, this methodology offers a grounded, human-centered, and future-oriented approach — one that turns uncertainty into collective opportunity.

Nathalie Aubourg for design.change.naau, Vienna, & Nazey Erdilek for Originn Creative Hub, Izmir