AAVA Framework (Free)
Your Simple Guide to Shared Meaning
Even when we say the same words, we don’t always say the same thing!
This practical four-step guide will help you reduce confusion and enhance team communication.
AAVA is based on research by Dr. Jan Jervis and is explicitly designed for non-designers.
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Knowing or understanding design and digital terms is only half the battle. You also need a process to ensure everyone understands them in the same way. That’s where AAVA comes in. This four-step framework, born directly from my PhD research, helps you build shared understanding in any conversation:
A for Accept: We must first accept that we tend to overlook our different interpretations of even commonly used words.
A for Assumptions: We all have assumptions, so it is crucial that we acknowledge their presence if we want to achieve shared meaning.
V for Vocabulary: It is always worth checking what different terms mean to your group, especially words we think everyone knows.
A for Acknowledge: Now it is time to identify and document shared meanings, so everyone is clear about what a word means in that instance.
AAVA is not about telling people what to think. It’s a practical, actionable way to cut through the confusion and ensure everyone is working in the same direction.
Read more about AAVA here and how the framework, well, works!Â
Download and pair this AAVA framework with the Non-Designer’s Handbook, an interactive, self-paced glossary and learning guide designed for everyday professionals.
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