This book describes some of the processes, activities and approaches we have
developed over the last 18 months as part of the Creative IDEAS knowledge exchange
project undertaken by ImaginationLancaster, a creative research lab at Lancaster
University. It also articulates the philosophy we are developing around design and its
engagement with knowledge exchange. Our approach has a few defining characteristics:

- We design knowledge exchange, using both new and well proven design
processes and methods. We facilitate knowledge exchange activity
that responds to a specific context and so is different every time,
rather than adopting standard approaches and mechanisms.
- We research human to human interaction (knowledge exchange).
Our activities are informed and inform academic research
in design, management and knowledge exchange.
- We have no interest in multiple delivery of an approach beyond one or two
iterations to hone and establish the effectiveness of an approach. We do not
occupy the same position in the knowledge exchange ecology as consultants,
rather we write the papers and books that consultants draw from.
- We use visualisation as one of our core strategic activities in the development and
also the delivery of activities with communities, academics, and most of all, business.

This places us at an important crossroads where academic research and
business interact to create impact. We aim to remove the tensions between
excellent research and highly effective business engagement, developing both
in a mutually supporting virtuous circle of reflection and application.'