Building Your Brainstorm Room
What items would you place in a brainstorm room and why?
Amanda, Interesting! Great awareness on what your team may prefer.
Elizabeth Wheeler
I would use scented colored markers and a dry erase board and also give to options for mats instead of chairs.
For me, I think some people might like puzzles, crossword games, or even sudoko. The reason for this is sometimes my mind is running all over the place and it is hard to concentrate. These things usually help me slow my mind down and concentrate on the task at hand as well as open up my more creative "outside the box" thinking.
Edwina, great ideas. Can you give an example of how you will use some of these tools in your brainstorm session?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would place the soft baby toys and everything suggested in the module with the addition of bottled water.
I would place a totally different style of artwork on each wall, just to boost creativity, and maybe display some powerful quotes.
We are a beauty school so I would put stress balls, candles to create a nice aroma and relaxing music.
Josh, what a great idea. It sounds like you have a great start of a your first brainstorming meeting. Let us know how it turns out. \
Dr. Jean Norris
I would definitely make sure that we held the brainstorming session in an area that fosters creativity. This is huge. I would also include magazines, a ton of magazines. I would have folks look through the magazine to begin and cut out pictures that they felt best match up with the school and the campaign we are working. I would also include toys, huge sheets of paper and magic markers. And have people create, capture and record their thoughts as things progress.
Keith,
Thanks for your input. I love the idea of the mad inventor's lab for a brainstorming session, what a fun way to look at "inventing" creative ideas for your company/institution.
Shannon Gormley
In order to develop inspiring ideas, you need an inspiring space to work in. The worst way to brainstorm is in an uncomfortable room with simple talking. Instead, make sure that within the brainstorming space, there are plenty of ways for people to externalize their ideas. Within the space, provide materials that people can use, such as marker boards, bulletin boards, modeling clay, Slinkys, and Post-It notes. Fill the brainstorming space with interesting and inspirational posters and allow the space to be organized in a "round table" format.
In order to develop inspiring ideas, you need an inspiring space to work in. The worst way to brainstorm is in an uncomfortable room with simple talking. Instead, make sure that within the brainstorming space, there are plenty of ways for people to externalize their ideas. Within the space, provide materials that people can use, such as marker boards, bulletin boards, modeling clay, Slinkys, and Post-It notes. Fill the brainstorming space with interesting and inspirational posters and allow the space to be organized in a "round table" format.
You could book themed rooms… a mad inventor’s lab (complete with bubbling chemistry set), a Tiki themed room, and a more formal library featuring portraits and photos of great inventors like Peter Hodgson and Richard James.
Great ideas, Lola! It looks like you try to engage your participants in a variety of different ways - using visuals, writing, listening. Great practices.
Dry erase white boards for drawing and writing as well as post-it easelpads (helpful in writing action plan in sequential order posted around the room). On the table, I'd have notepads, pens, sharpies and a bowl of candy. I'd also have printed items, applicable props or a laptop for easy reference.
Great ideas, Shan! I have no doubt that each of these items would spark creativity in a brainstorming session for your school.
Since I have a very small pet grooming school. I think I would have dog toys, pictures of breed specific artwork, paper and crayons, names and info of rescue groups in our area.
Great ideas, Denise! Your sure to capture the creative ideas of those who are visual, auditory and kinestetic with these suggestions.
I would place easels with paper and pens so people can draw their ideas. I would also exercise mats for movement with music which can spur creativity.
