Especially Absurd Ideation

This template helps you unleash your imagination and generate creative solutions to your challenges. The left-hand side of the template is for open ideation, while the right-hand side focuses on absurd ideation. Quantity over quality is king, where absurd ideation encourages different ways of thinking.

Materials:

1. This template
2. Markers or pens
3. Sticky notes (optional)

Preparation:

1. Define the challenge: Clearly state the problem or opportunity you want to address.
2. Set the timer: Allocate specific time for each round of ideation (e.g., 10 minutes each).

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Steps:

Part 1: Open Ideation

1. Based on the knowledge gained during the empathising stage, generate as many ideas as possible to find solutions for the challenge. They shouldn't limit their ideas and thinking and certainly should not pause for thought.

Part 2: Absurd Ideation

1. Resource Constraints: Write down how you would solve your challenge when faced with different constraints: A) Only 2 days, (B) Only 100€, (C) No internet!!
2. 'Reverse Ideation': Take a good idea, and then write a companion idea to see how you could make it worse. This is to rewire your thinking and to help you think outside of the box. You can do this on as many ideas as you want.
3. 'Crazy 8's': With a timer on the clock, come up with 8 ideas in 8 mins under intense pressure.

Part 3: Reflections

1. At the end of both phases of ideation, reflect, discuss, share and vote to see where strong ideas come through.