Building a cohesive culture across multiple projects, teams, and disciplines is a challenge for any studio. Without a common space for regular interaction and exchange, developers can easily feel isolated and disconnected from other teams. In 2009, the Volition design team implemented the Studio Design Group (SDG) process to address this problem.

SDGs seek to impact the practice of design through ongoing debate, practical deliverables, and direct application to current projects. SDGs provide a mechanism for defining and building momentum behind strategic objectives. At the same time, they provide a regular venue to share concerns and solutions across project boundaries, helping to build a more cohesive culture.

This presentation describes why the SDGs were formed, what they accomplished, and how other teams can apply these practices to their own specific needs.