Mash-Ups
Mash-Ups unlock innovative solutions by combining seemingly unrelated concepts or brands. This method encourages teams to think outside the box by layering the desired qualities of one entity onto the challenges of another.
Use this method when you need to generate fresh perspectives and break free from conventional thinking. It's particularly useful when facing a complex problem that requires a novel approach.
Solves: Stuck in incremental thinking; Lack of truly innovative ideas; Difficulty seeing a problem from a different angle
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Step 1: Identify the desired quality. As a group, determine the key attribute you want to inject into your solution (e.g., efficiency, user-friendliness, luxury). Write this quality on a sticky note. (5 minutes)
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Step 2: Brainstorm examples. Individually, generate a list of real-world brands, businesses, or services that strongly embody the identified quality. (10 minutes)
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Step 3: Create the Mash-Up question. Formulate a 'What's the [Brand X] version of [Your Challenge]?' question. Write this question clearly for everyone to see. (5 minutes)
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Step 4: Brainstorm Mash-Up ideas. As a group, brainstorm potential solutions or approaches inspired by the mash-up question. Capture each idea on a separate sticky note. (15 minutes)
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Step 5: Discuss and refine. Briefly discuss the generated ideas, looking for promising directions and potential combinations. (5-10 minutes)
- Encourage participants to think broadly and not censor their ideas during the brainstorming phase.
- Help the group to articulate the core quality they are seeking before moving to the example brainstorming phase.
- Instead of brands, use different industries or technologies.
- Use images or objects as the basis for the mash-up.