Creativity can be elusive. Innovation requires us to not only see the world in a new way but to focus our attention on change, find a way to express what we envision, dialogue with others on emergent possibilities, and commit to action. The breadth of perspectives and expertise in the Tufts community deserves a process to aid in the generation bold ideas, and Design has a series methods to help. The next time you’re looking to charge your team to come up with ideas or bring community members together to brainstorm, consider some of the following tools:
Ground Rules
No one needs a license to be creative, but some guidelines and a mindset shift can help
Assumptions & Questions
Let loose the thoughts and feelings on the topic everyone convened around
HMW Statement
Focus attention around achieving a goal without prescribing the means
Headlines
Unburden your group from the constraints of the present and dream up the future instead.
Affinity Mapping
Find common meaning among the various ideas in the group’s own words.
Dot Voting
Continue the conversation by democratically selecting the ideas of most interest.