Back of the Napkin
The Back of the Napkin method sparks creative problem-solving by challenging small teams to develop innovative solutions to a provocative question and visually represent them on a napkin. Its informal nature encourages participants to overcome inhibitions and embrace unconventional thinking.
Use this method to kick off a brainstorming session, foster networking at an event, or inject a dose of playful competition into a group activity. It's particularly effective when you need to quickly generate a wide range of ideas from a diverse group.
Solves: Inhibitions around drawing or 'perfect' solutions; difficulty generating creative ideas in formal settings.
- 1
Step 1: Introduce the problem statement or open-ended question to the group. (5 minutes)
- 2
Step 2: Divide participants into teams of 3-8 people. Encourage mixing and meeting new people. (5 minutes)
- 3
Step 3: Each team brainstorms and captures their solution on a napkin, using drawings and text. (15 minutes)
- 4
Step 4: Teams display their napkins and briefly share their ideas with the larger group. (5 minutes)
- Emphasize that there are no wrong answers and encourage teams to be as practical, whimsical, or out-of-the-box as they want.
- Consider offering different categories for judging, such as 'Most Practical,' 'Most Out-of-the-Box,' or 'Most Whimsical'.
- Run the activity with multiple problem statements, allowing participants to gravitate to the question that interests them most.
- Incorporate a judging panel to select winners in different categories, adding a competitive element.