- The simplest brainstorming technique
is the input-output method.
This method simply asks you to start your session
with an input exercise
so that you have something to build from
when you start your output exercise.
An input exercise can be anything
that starts to delve into the problem at hand.
For example, most problems that creatives are asked to solve
are intended to change the behavior
of a certain group of people
like selling a product to a customer
or informing an audience of an available service.
Since the target for that problem is people,
it would make sense
to get to know the behaviors of those people
in order to understand what needs to change
to solve the problem at hand.
Your input exercise then,
could be breaking down that audience
into specific demographics and listing their behaviors,
where they go, what they do, who they interact with,
or what they buy.
Once you've explored that space,
you can use it as a jumping off point for ideas
by choosing an audience and behavior
and ideating what causes that behavior to change
to solve your problem.
Another simple input exercise is descriptive words.
If the problem you're solving is around a central object,
you can begin your session by simply listing words
that describe that object,
use adjectives to give the object more meaning
or verbs to give it action.
By listing descriptive words around a central object,
you're creating a deep dive
into the characteristics of that object,
the human connective threads that will help your stormers
latch on to complex concepts.
These words can then be used to inspire ideas.
You can use them individually or look for themes
among the responses to try to reduce the list down
to a few central characteristics.
Either way, your stormers now have something new
to use for ideation.
All brainstorming techniques
are inherently input-output exercises
in one form or another
and most of the simplest take textual form.
Giving your stormers something new to solve
is vital to retaining vibrancy in your brainstorm sessions.