Methodologies: Engineering, Product Design, Project Management

Crazy 8’s

Agile Methodology, Brainstorming, Creativity, Design Sprint, Design Thinking, Ideation, Prototyping, User-Centered Design, Visual Design

Crazy 8’s

Agile Methodology, Brainstorming, Creativity, Design Sprint, Design Thinking, Ideation, Prototyping, User-Centered Design, Visual Design

Objective:

A core method in Design Sprints where participants sketch eight different ideas in eight minutes.

How it’s used:

Each participant folds a piece of paper into eight sections and is timed to sketch one idea in each section in one minute. The focus is on rapid idea generation, not quality.

Pros

Generates a large quantity of diverse ideas in a very short amount of time; pushes participants beyond their first, most obvious ideas; encourages visual thinking.

Cons

The pace can be stressful for some participants; ideas are by necessity underdeveloped and superficial; it favors quantity over quality.

Categories:

Ideation, Product Design

Best for:

Pushing a team to generate a wide variety of potential solutions to a problem in a short amount of time.

Crazy 8’s is widely utilized in various project phases, particularly during the ideation stage, where teams are tasked with exploring numerous potential solutions to a design challenge. This methodology is beneficial in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, and software development, where rapid innovation is essential to stay competitive. For instance, a team designing a new mobile application might use Crazy 8’s to brainstorm diverse features or user interface concepts quickly, ensuring they consider a broad range of ideas before honing in on a narrower selection. The process can involve cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and marketers, who each bring unique perspectives to the table, enhancing the overall creative output. Facilitators often initiate sessions, ensuring a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and unconventional thinking. During these sessions, participants are encouraged to think visually and push past conventional boundaries, which can lead to innovative breakthroughs not immediately visible through traditional brainstorming methods. This technique also serves as a warm-up exercise, getting team members actively engaged and thinking creatively before diving deeper into other design methodologies.

Key steps of this methodology

Fold the paper into eight equal sections.
Set a timer for one minute for each section.
Sketch one idea in each section within the time limit.
Repeat the sketching process for all eight sections.
Encourage spontaneous and rapid ideation without overthinking.
Prioritize quantity of ideas over quality during the exercise.
After completion, review all ideas for potential development.

Pro Tips

Incorporate constraints in your Crazy 8’s sessions, such as specific themes or materials, to challenge creativity and push for unconventional ideas.
After the initial sketches, allow time for participants to silently review their peers' work, then encourage collaborative refinement on the most promising concepts.
Utilize alternate sketching materials, such as digital tools or different paper sizes, to stimulate innovative thinking and cater to varied creative preferences.

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