Do you want to conduct the collaborative drawing activity with your teams?
Collaborative drawing is rooted in principles of collective creativity and shared understanding. The activity encourages participants to contribute to a single piece of art, fostering communication without words. This process highlights how individual contributions merge to create a unified whole. It reveals team dynamics, communication styles, and problem-solving approaches in a fun, low-stakes environment.
In this article, let’s see how you can use this simple activity to build stronger, more connected teams.
Here is an overview of the sections in this article:
- Objective of the Activity
- 5 Variations of the Collaborative Drawing Activity
- Tips for Successful Facilitation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Objective of the Activity
The collaborative drawing activity is more than just a creative icebreaker. Its purpose is to build essential team skills in a non-verbal context. This exercise helps teams explore their dynamics, improve their joint problem-solving abilities, and appreciate the value of diverse perspectives.
Here are the key objectives of the activity:
To Enhance Non-Verbal Communication
Much of workplace interaction relies on spoken or written words. This activity strips that away. It forces team members to communicate through actions. Participants must pay close attention to what others are drawing. They learn to interpret intentions and build upon each other’s ideas without a single word. This sharpens their observational skills, fostering a deeper, more intuitive level of understanding within the group.
To Foster Creative Collaboration
Innovation often requires combining different ideas into something new. Collaborative drawing simulates this process. Each person adds their unique element to the artwork. The team must work together to ensure these individual parts form a cohesive picture. This teaches them how to integrate diverse thoughts into a single, successful outcome. It’s a practical lesson in making creative collaboration work.
To Improve Adaptability and Flexibility
Plans can change, and this activity demonstrates that perfectly. A teammate might draw something unexpected. This requires others to adapt their own plans and respond to the new direction. This exercise builds mental flexibility. It helps team members become more comfortable with unpredictability. They learn to let go of their original ideas and embrace the evolving nature of a collaborative project.
To Build a Shared Identity
Creating something together is a powerful bonding experience. The final drawing becomes a tangible symbol of the team’s joint effort. It represents their shared journey from a blank page to a completed work of art. This shared accomplishment strengthens team cohesion. It gives them a common story and a visual metaphor for what they can achieve when they work together toward a single goal.
To Highlight Different Perspectives
Each person on a team sees things differently. This activity makes that concept visible. One person might start drawing a house, while another adds a spaceship to the roof. This reveals how varied individual perspectives can be. The debrief discussion allows the team to talk about these differences. They can explore how they managed to merge their unique viewpoints into one picture. This encourages mutual respect for diverse ideas.
5 Variations of the Collaborative Drawing Activity
Here are 5 variations of the collaborative drawing activity you can try with your teams.
#1. The Classic Pass-Around
This is the foundational version of the activity, perfect for introducing the concept. The team works together on a single drawing by passing it from person to person, with each member adding something before passing it on.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A single sheet of paper (A3 or larger is ideal) and one marker per group
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Ask each group to sit in a circle with a single sheet of paper and a marker.
- The first person draws a simple shape, line, or a small part of an object for about 15 seconds.
- They then pass the paper and marker to the person on their left, who adds their own element to the existing drawing. For instance, if the first person drew a circle, the second might add lines to turn it into a sun.
- Continue passing the paper around the circle until everyone has contributed several times or until the group decides the drawing is complete.
Debrief
- What story does our final drawing tell?
- At what point did you have to change your initial idea based on someone else’s contribution?
- How did it feel to contribute to a drawing without knowing the final outcome?
You can also read:
50 Easy Team Building Activities (Workplace)
#2. Blindfolded Creation
This variation adds a layer of challenge and humor by removing sight. Participants wearing blindfolds must rely on verbal descriptions from one teammate to contribute to a collective drawing.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: One large sheet of paper, markers, and blindfolds
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Ask one person in each group to be the “Director” and the rest to be “Artists”. The Artists should put on blindfolds.
- The Director describes an object or a scene without naming it. For example, instead of saying “draw a car,” they might say “draw a long rectangle with two circles underneath it.”
- The blindfolded Artists take turns adding to the drawing based only on the Director’s verbal instructions.
- Rotate the role of the Director so that more people get a chance to lead the drawing process.
Debrief
- How challenging was it to draw based only on verbal instructions?
- For the Directors, how did you adjust your descriptions to be clearer for the Artists?
- What does this exercise teach us about the importance of clear communication?
#3. Themed Segments
This version introduces structure by assigning a theme and dividing the canvas. Each person is responsible for drawing a portion of a larger picture within a pre-assigned theme, without seeing what others are drawing.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper, markers, and tape
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Give each participant a sheet of paper and announce a common theme, such as “A Day at the Park” or “Our Office on Mars.”
- Ask each person to secretly draw something related to that theme on their own paper.
- After about 5-7 minutes, have the team members reveal their drawings.
- The team must then arrange and tape their individual drawings together to create a single, cohesive mural that tells a story. For example, one person’s drawing of a tree can be placed next to another’s drawing of a park bench.
Debrief
- How did our individual interpretations of the theme differ?
- What was the process of combining our separate drawings into one scene like?
- What does the final mural say about our team’s ability to create a unified story from different parts?
#4. The Add-and-Pass Story
This variation focuses on narrative by having each addition build upon the last. Participants contribute to a drawing in successive rounds, with each person adding an element that logically follows the previous one to build a visual story.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: One large sheet of paper, and markers of different colors
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Have the first person draw a single object or character to start a story. For instance, they could draw a small boat in the corner of the page.
- They pass the paper to the next person, who must add something that continues the story. They might draw a large wave approaching the boat.
- Each person adds one element when they receive the paper, building a narrative sequence.
- The activity ends after a set number of rounds or when the team agrees the visual story has a beginning, middle, and end.
Debrief
- What is the narrative of your drawing from start to finish?
- Were there any additions that took the story in a surprising direction? If so, why?
- How did you work together to create a coherent plot without talking?
#5. Digital Whiteboard Jam
This is a modern, tech-friendly version of the classic activity. Using a digital whiteboard tool, team members contribute to a shared online canvas simultaneously from their own devices.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A shared digital whiteboard platform (like Miro, Mural, or a simple tool in a video conference app)
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Invite all participants to a shared digital whiteboard.
- Set a simple prompt, like “Draw our team’s superpower” or “Illustrate our biggest goal for this quarter.”
- Allow everyone to draw on the canvas at the same time for 10 minutes. Participants can see each other’s contributions in real-time.
- Encourage team members to build on, connect, or even modify what others are drawing to create a dynamic, interconnected image.
Debrief
- What was it like to see everyone’s ideas appear on the canvas at once?
- How did the final image evolve from the initial contributions?
- What does our collective drawing reveal about our shared goals or identity?
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Tips for Successful Facilitation
Facilitating a collaborative drawing activity well is key to unlocking its full potential. Your role is to create an environment where creativity, communication, and learning can flourish. A thoughtful approach ensures the experience is both enjoyable and insightful for the entire team.
Here are some tips to help you lead a successful session.
Set a Positive and Playful Tone
The right atmosphere is crucial. Start by emphasizing that this is not an art competition. Reassure everyone that artistic skill is irrelevant. The goal is collaboration, not creating a masterpiece. Use lighthearted language. You might say, “Let’s see what beautiful mess we can create together!” A relaxed, non-judgmental environment encourages participation from even the most hesitant team members. When people feel safe to be imperfect, they are more willing to take creative risks and engage fully.
Choose the Right Variation for Your Team
Not all variations suit every team or situation. Consider your team’s dynamics and your objectives. Is your team new and needs a simple icebreaker? The Classic Pass-Around is a great start. Is your team remote? The Digital Whiteboard Jam is a perfect fit. If you want to focus on the challenges of communication, the Blindfolded Creation variation is highly effective. Tailoring the activity to your team’s specific context makes the exercise more relevant. This customization ensures the lessons learned are directly applicable to their work.
Provide Clear and Simple Instructions
Confusion can kill momentum. Before starting, explain the rules of the chosen variation clearly. Walk through the steps one by one. It can be helpful to do a quick demonstration. For example, you could draw the first shape yourself to show how simple the contribution can be. Make sure everyone understands the process, the time limits, and the materials. Answering questions upfront prevents interruptions later. This clarity allows the team to focus on the activity itself rather than trying to figure out the rules.
Manage Time Effectively
While creativity shouldn’t feel rushed, having a time structure is important. Announce the total time for the activity at the beginning. If the activity involves rounds, give time cues. You might say, “Two minutes left for this round,” to keep the energy up. This structure prevents the activity from dragging on. It also adds a light sense of urgency that can spur creativity. Being mindful of the clock respects everyone’s schedule. It ensures the activity remains a focused and productive part of your meeting or workshop.
Lead a Thoughtful Debrief
The drawing activity is the catalyst; the debrief is where the real learning happens. Allocate sufficient time for this conversation. Use open-ended questions to guide the discussion. Ask questions like, “What surprised you during this activity?” or “How does this relate to how we work on projects together?” Connect the team’s experiences during the exercise to their day-to-day work dynamics. This guided reflection helps solidify the insights. It transforms a fun game into a meaningful team building lesson.
Final Words
Collaborative drawing is a simple yet profound way to strengthen team bonds. It goes beyond typical team building exercises by fostering creativity, communication, and adaptability in a unique format. The activity provides a visual metaphor for how individual efforts combine to create a greater whole. By incorporating this exercise, you give your team a fun and insightful tool for growth. Use it to build a more connected, collaborative, and resilient team.
FAQ: Collaborative Drawing Activity
You might have these questions in mind.
What if my team members say they can’t draw?
Reassure them that artistic talent is not the point. The activity is about communication and collaboration, not creating a masterpiece. Emphasize that stick figures and simple shapes are perfect. Frame it as a fun experiment to remove the pressure of performance.
Can this activity be done with remote teams?
Yes, absolutely. The “Digital Whiteboard Jam” variation is designed specifically for remote teams. Using tools like Miro, Mural, or the whiteboard feature in video conferencing software allows everyone to contribute to a shared canvas in real-time. It is an effective way to engage a distributed team.
How large can the groups be?
The ideal group size is between 3 and 8 people. This range is small enough to ensure everyone can contribute multiple times. It also keeps the activity moving at a good pace. If you have a larger team, divide them into smaller groups to maintain engagement.
What is the most important part of the activity?
The debrief session is the most critical part. While the drawing itself is fun, the discussion afterward is where the learning occurs. This allows the team to reflect on their experience. Moreover, this helps them connect it to their real-world work dynamics, communication styles, and collaborative processes.
How often should we do this activity?
There is no strict rule. You can use it as an icebreaker for a new team or as a recurring activity to check in on team dynamics. Doing it monthly or bi-weekly can be a great way to reinforce collaborative skills and keep the team’s creative energy flowing.