Initial Thoughts on Cafe Design.

 

Like children, adults require a place to learn that is safe, comfortable, inclusive, non-judgmental, provocative, and non-threatening. Today’s adults require a place to learn that is available anywhere, any time, from a variety of digital devices, too.

 

Unlike children (who go to school every day), adults are not required to participate in formal education, so their digital environment must be inviting, active and lively. The environment  should provide a sense of belonging, and a sense that learning is a worthwhile, enjoyable adult activity. And something more.

 

Thinking does not occur in a place. It occurs in the human mind. That provides the creative team with ample opportunity to engage adults in a playful, theoretical, imagined world. It also allows a wide range of collaborative learning activities, including, for example, a dynamic mapping of connected ideas.

 

It should be a place that’s fun to visit, often, because of the stories, characters, ideas, and games are interesting and fun. Always available, always populated, always offering something to learn, watch, do, discuss. It should be customized learning experience with ample editorial and social interactivity.

 

The environment need not be logical. It should be musical. Beliefs and knowledge should wrestle with one another to forge understanding. There will be experts and scholars, and a cast of characters to provide warmth and humor. Characters represent points of view, and struggle with differences. There is no reason why characters must be humans; sometimes, puppets communicate more effectively (and, they’re funny!). Celebrities and role models, original songs and parodies written for adults, on adult themes, twists on popular culture, comedy, tragedy, pathos, bathos, ethos…anything and everything that keeps adults coming back for more, and keeps everyone learning.  A place where adults belong, where we are encouraged to think, learn, understand and imagine.