Episode 2: Diary of a reluctant Remote Design Sprint Facilitator

“It was the best of time’s, It was the worst of time’s” - A tale of two cities

Since my last article, I’ve been fortunate enough to deliver Remote Design Sprints for clients in the UK, US, Nederlands and Dubai. Knowing that there is still demand for innovation during times of COVID-19 is the silver lining in otherwise stressful time’s. 

Having gotten to grips quickly with what it takes to be successful from a facilitation, process and software side of things, I haven’t seen too much out there about what you need from a hardware side to take your Remote Design Sprints to the next level. 

Why do you need to take your Remote Design Sprints to the next level?

• Minimise bounce: You will be competing in the “attention economy”. Your production value should keep your attendees attention and not encourage them to wander.
• Value for money: Your clients are paying a significant amount of money for your services. They deserve more than a person sitting in a corner of a room with a camera pointed up their nose.
• Reduce “lost in translation”: Your voice will be your most powerful tool to express yourself. Be heard and be in control at all times

Here are my battle tested tips on the hardware tools which have upped the production value of my Remote Design Sprints:

1.    Video capture:

“I can’t stop myself from lookin. I’m noticin’ you, noticin me” - Kardinal Offishall

A crisp clear image will help you to clearly convey your message in remote workshops where it’s so easy for messages to get lost in translation. While the camera on my 2019 MacBook Pro isn’t anything to laugh at, if we are going to ask our clients to think 10x we might as well look it on our end.

Pro Tip: Mount the camera high up so you are looking at it at eye level. It will seem like you are sitting across a table from your attendees and having a conversation with them. I find it annoying when people are looking down at their camera. I feel like I’m having a conversation with someone’s chin.

I use the Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam – Full 1080p HD Camera

What I like about it?

• Stream and record vibrant, true-to-life HD 1080P video at 30Fps.
• Record clear videos even in dim or poorly backlit settings with automatic light Correction.
• Provides a wider room view of you so that you don’t have to sit right next to your screen. You can use your hands for non-verbal communication and even stand up and move around. 
• Comes with a tripod for placement options.

What I don’t like about it?

• The wide camera view means that you will need a larger green screen (see below for why you would need this)
• If you choose to mount the camera on your MacBook lid, you will need to prop up the grip with some thick paper to get the camera angle right as the camera grip doesn’t catch well on thin lids

2.    Crisp Zoom Background:

“I can see clearly now the rain (blur) is gone” - Jimmy Cliff

Part of keeping your attendees attention is not distracting them by tiny things like the blur around your head or the halo that forms between your head and headsets. We use branded Zoom backgrounds and videos to let attendees know who the people from my company are and what they are contributing to the event. This tiny prop makes your team come across as more professional.

I use the COOPIC S03 2M x 3M Background Support System With Continuous Lighting Kit

What I like about it?

• Allows for 2 meter or 3 meter background setup.
• Comes with green, white and black screens.
• Comes with two digital light stands and soft boxes with 8 lightbulbs so you can create the best lighting for your room on both sides. 

What I don’t like about it?

• The screens come pretty creased, so you are going to have to iron them
• Based on the colour of the screen I’m using, I won’t be able to wear a matching coloured shirt or I end up looking like a floating head.
• A green screen will make your chair visible. If you have a chair which is distracting, like a gaming chair it may become an attention stealer.
• It takes up space in your house if you are not in the habit of putting it away each time.

3.    Lighting:

“Mirror mirror on the wall. Who is the top dog of them all?” - Snoop Dogg

The last thing you want to do is come across like you are hiding out is a dimly lit cave. You want people to be able to pick up on as much of your non-verbal communication as possible, so lighting is key.

I use the EACHSHOT 240 LED Stepless Adjustable Ring Light

What I like about it?

• Comes with adjustable light filters to allow for best fit for more lighter or more darker skin tones. 
• Has a light dimmer so you can get your body image complexion just right. 
• Has 240 individual LED’s to allow for even light distribution. 
• Handy adjustable light stand. 
• Mount for webcam or cell phone. 

What I don’t like about it?

• I find if I mount the ring at a level where it is right in my line of sight then my eyes are sore from the brightness at end of day.
• If the light is mounted above your head and the webcam is on the ring mount then it will appear as if you are not making eye contact with your attendees as you will be looking down at your screen.

Pro Tip: Mount the ring light above head height and tilt the ring down so your eyes don’t hurt.

4.    Microphone:

“The first day of the rest of my life. X stand behind the mic like Walter Cronkite” - Xzibit

Your voice is your most powerful weapon in remote Design Sprints. You want to make sure that you are clearly heard and that there is no echo

I use the Blue Yeti USB Microphone

What I Like about it?

• It looks good and is a sexy addition to your table.
• Tri-capsule array - 3 condenser capsules can record almost any situation.
• Multiple pattern selection - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo. Meaning that you can block out interference and just focus on your voice.
• Gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output.
• Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls.

What I don’t like about it?

• It’s a little bulky. Takes up space.

Pro Tip: Consider getting a mic desk boom if you would like to free up desk space. Con though is that the boom would be visible in your video.

5.    Additional Monitor:

“Can’t stop till I see my name on a blimp” - Ma$e

Working off a single screen means that you have to become a digital juggler. You will be fighting for screen space between Mural and Zoom. It becomes crucial to always have your Zoom video grid view on at all time’s so that you can keep in touch with how your attendees are doing, while still working on Mural. 

Pro tip: Use a larger monitor for Mural work and your laptop for Zoom video grid view.

I use the Samsung 32 inch CF391 Curved Monitor

What I like about it?

• It’s a great monitor for its price point.
• Wide 32 inch screen.
• A 1920 x 1080p resolution along with the 16:9 aspect ratio.
• A 60Hz refresh rate.
• It’s beautiful to look at. Especially if you have a white desk.

What I don’t like about it?

• It’s great for work but if you want to use it for video or gaming there are better performing monitors at a higher price.
• If you set it up on your desk, the stand takes up a lot of space.
• You can tilt but you can’t raise the height. 

Pro Tip: Get a single monitor desk mount. It will free up space but also give you the ability to raise and move the monitor at the perfect angle for you. 

6.    Laptop stand:

“Stand in the place where you live. Now face north. Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before” - R.E.M

Looking down at your laptop all the time isn’t great for your posture and leads to neck pain. If you are using your laptop camera it also paints you at an unenviable angle.

I use the MiiKARE Aluminium Alloy Adjustable Laptop Riser.

Why I like about it?

• Raises my MacBook to eye level reducing neck pain from looking down all the time.
• It comes in dark grey so it’s aesthetically pleasing and isn’t jarring against my MacBook. 
• Portable and easy to carry around. 
• You can hide unsightly cables behind it.

What I don’t like about it?

• It’s not exactly space grey so it doesn’t match 100% to my Macbook.

7.    Wireless keyboard and trackpad:

“Can't nobody hold me down. oh no! I got to keep on movin'” - Puff Daddy

If you don’t want to come across like you are looking through a door peep hole on your video you might want to create some space between you and your camera. A wireless input setup allows you to sit comfortably away from your screen.

I use the Apple Magic keyboard and Magic Trackpad

What I like about it?

• Allows me to sit at a comfortable distance from my screen and camera meaning that more of my body can be seen in camera maximising my mom-verbal communication.
• The trackpad is great for working on Mural. Navigating and pinching + zooming is super easy.
• It looks great on a white desk setup. 

What I don’t like about it?

• It’s a pricey addition to your home setup.

8.    Hub for all your peripherals:

“Start me up. Start me up. I’m telling you I’ll never stop” - The Rolling Stones

Don’t compromise on quality! I used a cheap USB hub and it effected the quality of my video and created an echo on my audio.

I use the Satechi Aluminum Type-C Pro Hub, on my MacBook 

What I like about it?

• Thunderbolt 3 – up to 5k or 2x4k @ 60Hz video, up to 40Gb/s data speed.
• 4k HDMI video output – 1080p @ 60 Hz up to 4k @ 30Hz.
• 2 USB 3.0 ports – 5Gb/s data speed.
• USB-C port – 5Gb/s data speed.
• SD/Micro card reader – up to 104MB/s.
• No graphic or sound interference.
• Because it attached directly to the MacBook, there is no cable which bends and looks unsightly. 

What I don’t like about it?

• Although it says it’s space grey, it’s a little darker so it won’t 100% match your MacBook. 

9.    Wireless Audio:

“I hear these cats but I ain’t listening” - Masta ACE

Sometimes the factory speakers on your laptop just won’t cut it. Other times you won’t want to wear a headset because it looks weird on video. For all these times you may want some wireless audio device to hear every sound on the call.

I alternate between the Beats Pill wireless speaker or Apple AirPods.

What I like about it?

• Crisp and clear sound.
• Doesn’t look bulky on the video call or like you are trying to land a Boeing.

What I don’t like about it?

• When you switch to wireless audio on Zoom, you can no longer stream your computer sound through Zoom. This means that you are the only one hearing your awesome playlist.
• You need to pay close attention to the charge of your AirPods 

All in all, I’m not saying that you need to have all or any of the above to make your Remote Design Sprints successful. I’m also not saying that hardware will make you a better Facilitator. The role of the Facilitator is an art form and a skilled Facilitator can get the best out of any audience. What I am saying is that in a world where the Remote Design Sprint community is growing, it becomes highly important to differentiate yourself. I have no affiliation to the companies mentioned above and am merely sharing what has worked for me in the hope that I can contribute to the continued growth of the Design Sprint community.

I’ll leave you will the below as a sign of our time’s:

“Futures made of virtual insanity now” - Jamiroquai

Till our next diary entry... May you alway live in interesting times.