Video by Yaroslav ShuraevOur Approach
Ritual, Artifact, Story. These timeless, undeniably human activities build our sense of self and strengthen our relational bonds. Culture seems ephemeral, elusive. But culture is not a concept, it is the outcome of hands on, direct, interactive experiences shared amongst a family, a community, a team, an organization.
Photography by Emma Orfield Johnston
StoryArtifact leverages these intrinsic human activities—storytelling, object making, and daily routines—to deeply anchor organizational values. Unlike proven-to-be-ineffective powerpoints and redundant hotel handout workshops, StoryArtifact engages the effectiveness of these timeless human behaviors to make abstract company ideals into concrete, tangible cultural experiences. This methodology taps into our innate ways of sense-making and ensures that these fundamental principles are not just mentally understood but actively lived, creating a robust and enduring workplace culture. Through the emotional activation of narrative, rhythmic assurance of ritual and the creation of meaningful artifacts, StoryArtifact nurtures cohesive, purposeful organizations.
The Three Legs of Culture at StoryArtifact: Story, Artifact, Ritual
Together, these three elements—story, artifact, and ritual—create the essential framework for developing and sustaining a dynamic and cohesive culture. They are the essential legs of the tripod of resilient identity, each contributing stability and strength to your organization’s culture, ensuring it is not only defined but deeply felt and consistently practiced.
STORY
The invisible backbone of culture
The instinctual narratives by which we navigate and choicemake in our daily lives are the invisible backbone of every culture. Stories provide context, meaning, and direction. At StoryArtifact, we view storytelling as a critical enterprise to unearth, shape, and share the foundational narratives of your organization. Through storytelling, we foster a sense of identity, purpose, and continuity. This narrative shaping helps to align actions with overarching visions, ensuring every member of your team understands and connects with the core principles and goals of your organization. This is the keystone of the elusive experience of “brand coherence.”
ARTIFACT
Touchstones for recall and emotional engagement
Artifacts are physical manifestations of your organization's values and stories. They serve as tangible reminders of the shared journey and the milestones achieved along the way. In our sessions, we facilitate the creation of meaningful artifacts that resonate with your team, from bespoke sculptures that embody company values to crafted documents that outline strategic visions. These artifacts bridge the gap between abstract ideas and concrete expressions, enhancing the physical workspace while continuously inspiring and reminding staff of their part in the company’s narrative.
RITUAL
Practices that bring values and objectives into embodiment
Rituals are repeated practices that reinforce the beliefs and behaviors that you want to cultivate within your organization. At StoryArtifact, we design rituals that embed the essence of your brand narrative into everyday activities. These may be personalized morning routines, annual commemorations celebrating key milestones and successes, or unique employee enrollment experiences. Rituals ensure the perpetuation and enactment of cultural values, making the organization's current objectives and overarching purpose not just understood but lived and nurtured daily.
