BRAINSTORMING METHODS

There are so many ways to brainstorm and all of them work. Some work better for certain jobs. But brainstorming even the smallest projects leads to better results. Don't just jump into a project and start on the first idea. The first idea may turn out to be the best even after brainstorming. But you will probably improve it by a little brainstorming.

Some methods of brainstorming are the Descriptive, the Associative, The Smash Up, The Random, Mind Mapping. The list is endless and all are interconnected. All work if you use them and all lead to better concepts. By the way, they're FUN.

Often when you are dealing with clients you will come across the classic person who knows what they want but can't articulate it. Maybe you have an idea but can't quite get a handle on it. Here is a form of Descriptive and Associative Brainstorming to help define projects. Clearly define the end goal whether its a character design, logo, product etc. and what will it be used for and how. Now for the fun part. You play a game with yourself or the client. Begin to ask and write down the answers to a series of questions. What color is is? How big is it? Obvious questions but take it so much further. What kind of mineral is it? What kind of animal is it? Who would it be if it was a current movie star? Who would it be if it was an old time movie star? What book or character in a book would it be?

Seems silly to ask what kind of animal or movie star a logo would be but people already have a mental picture of these things. By having them associate and describe there choices you define the object. If they describe their logo as a crane then you can assume they are looking for a graceful, flowing look. If they describe the logo as a bear or elephant then you can push your designs toward the solid and powerful look. If they describe their logo as Jim Carrey then you know that they want an energetic and fun look. The questions are silly and appear to have no relation to your project but will actually tell you a great deal about their expectations.

Keep going and asking questions until you really have a mental picture of what your client is looking for. What kind of tree would it be?What kind of food? What kind of car? A fast sports car or a solid work truck.

As you do this you will see the clients light up because it defines the concept for them. They will feel as if they were part of the process and it will define the job for you. The more focused you are when you start, the better to do the job. This will also save time and time is money. I assume you are in this for the love and fun of being creative but you also need to make money.

More later, Have Fun! The Director of Nonsense

GOT THE TOOLS?

Every skilled occupation has its tools. The dentist has his special tools, as does a plumber or chef. Why would you think that the creative fields don't need tools? The writer and the artist need tools too. I'm not just talking about the pen or computer for a writer and a pencil or brush for the artist. I'm talking about the real support tools that make doing the jobs simple.

Lets start with a basic, a reference library. Whether a writer or artist a wide ranging library is a must. You will need text and visual, the more the better. The book store is your friend, as is Google text and Google image. Start to compile personnel files on your fields and anything to inspire. I have a large personal library at home and as well as six large file cabinets filled with visual reference on everything. Also learn how to be a good researcher. You never know what kind of projects can come toward you. A secret of life is not how much you know.... but whether you can find the answers you need.

One amazing resource is the Library of Congress. When I was doing educational products everything had to be accurate all the way down to the eye color of the Presidential portraits I was doing. I discovered that the Library has a full time staff to answer any and all questions.

Compile lists! Create word lists or visual lists to use in brainstorming or to inspire. When we design toys I have lists that are pages and pages of toys that can be used as inspiration. Lists of random words can inspire new direction for your projects. Create a list of random questions for your projects.

Get as many creative tools as possible. There are many creativity products out in the market place. One of my favorite programs is called Ideafisher. An exceptional associative brainstorming tool. Another product that I recommend is Roger von Oech's, Creative Whack Pack. The simple card version can stimulate creativity and his computer version is fantastic.

Get a notebook. Far to many good ideas and thoughts are lost because we didn't write them down.

Get a calendar. Nothing motivates like deadlines. Set deadlines for yourself if you don't already have deadlines.

brainstorming!

I'm surprised at how many people think that brainstorming is just sitting down and coming up with an idea. Brainstorming is an art in itself.
When you think about things your brain makes connections. These electrical connections form paths that then become like little roadways in the brain. People tend to get lazy. The mind tends to get lazy, so it will run along these same pathways. This leads to the same old ideas.
Think of it like the brain is a jello mold and your pouring water down on it. It begins to form channels in the jello. The more hot water, the deeper the channels get. You need to jump your brain out of those channels and into new sections, new pathways and new ideas.
There are lots of excellent techniques for brainstorming and I'll address those later but for now lets talk about how to get started. People ignore some of the basics. Research what your going to brainstorm. Do a quick google search, word and image search. First really identify what it is and what your trying to accomplish before you start. What is your end goal? A new concept? A new product? A new art piece? Whatever!
Also do not edit yourself. In early brainstorming there are NO bad ideas. As my boss says, "These are babies, allow them to grow. You never know what they could grow into."
Now that you have a goal then do a "brain dump!" With a blank piece of paper write down everything you can as quick as you can about your subject. What this does is get all the obvious things out so you can really get a fresh look at your project. This works whether you're trying to create a new slogan or a new image to paint. You may hit something, some "gold" in your brain dump which another reason to write it all down so that it doesn't get lost.
Now you can examen your list to try to make new connections to lead you to new creative concepts. Look at your list to see if there are stand outs. After you identify some of those stand outs ask why do they stand out?
Just the act of doing a brain dump, of describing and quantifying will lead you to new directions and creative concepts. This doesn't need to take a long time but will go a long way to expanding your creativity.
Now you can really begin your Brainstorming. I'll post later with brainstorming techniques to help your expand your creativity.