Here are some of our methods that we use to unearth creative ideas for our projects. This will help shake out more original one-of-a-kind creative concepts.
In addition to some distinct brainstorming strategies, we certainly use some traditional methods of unpacking to repack. We also put our heads together as a group as much as possible to get more people thinking about solutions and the way forward.
1. Gather as a Group
When we get together as a group, we first present the problem or goal we are trying to solve. We discuss the target market, demographics, the purpose of the project, other comparable industries, and ask lots of questions. We try to think about the problem, perception or intent from the perspective of the client, the designer, the consumer, the user, and the public.
2. Individual Think Time
After we’ve discussed the project and the problem/goal, we break off on our own for 10 minutes of individual think time and research. After 10 minutes we come back together as a group to discuss ideas and start brainstorming.
3. Spin the Concept
When we exhaust all our ideas through the above exercises we then spin the concept. We want to flip the subject around to see if we can view it from a very different angle. We start asking random questions that have nothing to do with the project. These questions force us to think of the project in new ways. It’s typically not the answer to the question that is useful, but why we responded with the answer that we did. Some examples of questions we ask are:
- What historical figure would it be?
- What number or mathematical equation would represent the subject?
- What animal would it be?
- What time period would relate?
It’s important to listen to reactions and then ask why. This is not only a fun exercise to do with the team, but also generates very notable ideas.
4. Critique Your Brainstorming
Lastly, we believe that there can be wrong answers when you brainstorm. This goes against what most people have been taught, but constructively critiquing a brainstorming session can be a good thing. If there are no wrong answers, the brainstorming gets sloppy and off track.
Constructive criticism helps keep the team focused on the problem/goal. It also helps give rise to ideation. However constructive criticism only works when you can support why a thought though good may not be viable.
