What we have learned so far

What people get and why they come

Yellow provides a space that people don’t have.

For some it is an ‘oasis’ – a place of safety, of emotional and intellectual refreshment and regeneration.

In this space you are not assailed by information, tasks, or goals, but are invited to explore different, often deeper questions, thoughts and ideas. Paradoxically, this makes it both stimulating and restful.

Yellow provides a ‘sanity check’ – a place to connect with people from very different walks of life, who have similar questions, doubts or inquiries. “So it’s not just me….” is a common response.  

This creates a strong sense of connection with a peer group – you find yourself in the the company of kindred spirits, not industry colleagues.

What makes Yellow work

Our instincts were good: there is hunger for a learning space like this. Not everyone is drawn to it, but for those that are, it is both liberating and compelling.

The idea of responsive design is powerful. It stimulates us as conveners, creates productive pressure (since nothing can be planned far in advance) and makes the process highly relevant, personal, creative and connected for participants.

The idea of a space were ‘everyone is learning, no-one has teaching’ has been born out. The experience is rich not just for participants, but for the people we bring in as collaborators, and for us.

The experience of Yellow is a co-creation with the participants which we are shaping and holding, without directing or controlling it.

For us, pulling Yellow together has been a ton of work but no effort. We have found a way to work that flows, which is challenging, enjoyable and satisfying.

How Yellow is responding and evolving

Yellow collects and connects small, intimate groups of curious people.

We’ve added layers to the experience.

As well as the group gatherings there are ‘Sidestream events’ that everyone involved with Yellow is invited to. This allows us introduce to extra ideas or stimulus without disrupting the path of the groups. It also weaves cross threads across the groups and with collaborators.  

In addition we will often pick up particular themes that are of specific interest to individuals and work with them outside the gatherings. Sometimes they do this for each other, without us.

All of this is building a community. That’s an over used word we are sceptical about, but it is happening anyway.  

The technology is every bit as flexible and surprising as we had hoped. By letting go of our own prejudices, we have found ways to do all sorts of different things, including some highly physical and embodied activities. Some of these have worked better on line than in real life. There is far more to it than simply sitting talking to a screen.

We are also developing a live event to complement the on-line experience. When we do get together physically we want to take full advantage of that, so the ‘Yellow Residential’ will be designed to make serendipity, blurred boundaries and multi-sensory experience primary.