Time
45 minutesRelated Activities
- Rorschach Revisionist [18]
- Drawing Room [59]
- Modular Brainstorming [62]
- Brain Purge [82]
- Idea Pool [85]
- Museum Madness [86]
- Doodlin’ Around the Block [95]
Procedure
- Tell each group member to draw a sketch of a problem solution. Say, “This sketch
doesn’t need to represent a direct, clear-cut solution; it may be relatively abstract
and symbolic. Don’t be concerned if you are not artistic; what you draw is more
important than how you draw it. No talking is permitted while sketching, and
please do not share your sketches while drawing them.” - After 5 minutes, tell group members to pass their sketches to the person on their
right. - Instruct the group members receiving a sketch to review it and try to improve it
by adding to the sketch, making brief comments, or drawing an entirely new
sketch. - When they have completed Step 3, tell them to pass this drawing to the person on
their right. - Tell the participants to repeat Steps 3 and 4 until time is called.
- Have them collect all the sketches and review them, in turn, with other group
members. (You might suggest that they tape each sketch on a flip chart.) - Direct them to examine each sketch and use it to brainstorm ideas.
- Have them record any new ideas stimulated by the sketches on Post-it®Notes
(one idea per note) and place them on a flip chart for evaluation.
Debrief/Discussion
Artistic types or “doodlers” should especially enjoy this exercise. Drawing is a physical
activity that also can help our thinking. Both the act of drawing and the images created
can help prompt new perspectives. Sharing the sketches with others can spark new ideas,
just as revealing intangible thoughts can. This exercise also can serve as an excellent
warm-up to get everyone involved before a brainstorming session that requires full par-
ticipation to be effective.Brainwriting with Unrelated Stimuli 367
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