How to organize an effective creative session

23 Oct 2024

A well-organized creative session is essential to getting the most out of your team. While a traditional brainstorm can sometimes be useful, it often doesn't lead to the innovative ideas you're looking for. A structured creative session, on the other hand, offers a wider range of methods, such as various creative techniques and brainstorming exercises, to help participants look at problems and solutions from a different perspective. In this blog, we’ll discuss what a creative session entails, the different techniques you can use, and practical tips for organizing a successful creative session yourself.

What is a creative session and why is it effective?

A creative session is a structured meeting where you, using various creative techniques, come together to explore new ideas and solutions. Unlike a standard brainstorm, where ideas are often thrown out randomly, a creative session provides more structure and focus. The goal? Not just to gather a list of ideas, but to come up with feasible solutions.

These sessions typically consist of two phases: diverging and converging. In the diverging phase, it's all about generating as many ideas as possible—no limits. Everything is on the table, no matter how crazy it sounds. The converging phase follows, where the best and most workable ideas are selected for further development.

This blend of free creativity and focused refinement often leads to surprising and innovative solutions. It helps participants think outside the box, leading to ideas that might not have surfaced otherwise.

Creative techniques to use

The success of a creative session depends on choosing the right creative techniques. Below are some effective methods that can elevate your session.

SCAMPER

SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. This technique helps improve existing ideas or come up with new solutions by asking questions based on these categories. For example, “What can you substitute in this idea?” or “What if we combined it with something else?” SCAMPER encourages participants to view an idea from different angles and helps refine or create new concepts. It’s especially useful for teams looking to expand on a basic idea.

Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual technique where you map out ideas around a central theme. You start with a main topic in the center of a paper (or digital whiteboard) and branch out to related subjects and ideas. This technique is perfect for getting a quick overview of all the thoughts and concepts in a team. It encourages associative thinking and makes it easier to see connections between different ideas. Mind mapping is particularly useful at the beginning of a project when you want to generate as many ideas as possible.

6 Thinking Hats

The 6 Thinking Hats technique asks participants to take on different roles, each representing a particular way of thinking. The hats are:

White Hat: Facts and data, objective thinking.

Red Hat: Feelings and intuition, emotional thinking.

Black Hat: Critical thinking, identifying risks and pitfalls.

Yellow Hat: Positive thinking, focusing on benefits and opportunities.

Green Hat: Creative thinking, generating out-of-the-box solutions.

Blue Hat: Overview and control, process-oriented thinking.

This method is effective because it encourages teams to look at a problem from multiple perspectives. It ensures that you not only focus on the positive aspects of an idea but also consider the drawbacks and practicalities. This technique is ideal for adding depth to your brainstorm or when you already have several options that need further exploration.

Rolstorm

Role storming is similar to a regular brainstorm but with a twist. Instead of sharing ideas from your own perspective, participants take on the role of someone else—such as a customer, supplier, or competitor. This approach forces you to step outside your usual mindset and view the problem from a different angle. Role storming is great when you’re stuck in a particular way of thinking and need fresh insights from other perspectives.

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Crazy 8’s

Crazy 8’s is a fast-paced, creative exercise where participants sketch eight different ideas in eight minutes. The goal is to force participants to think quickly and visualize their initial ideas without overthinking details. This helps spark creative energy and prevents people from getting stuck in overanalyzing. Crazy 8’s is ideal for the early stages of a creative session when you want to put as many ideas on the table as possible.

7 tips and best practices for organizing your own creative session

Ready to organize your own creative session? Here are some practical tips to get the most out of it:

Set clear goals: Before you start, it’s important to know what you want to achieve with the session. This ensures that all activities and creative techniques are aligned with that goal.
Choose the right techniques: Not every technique suits every goal. Consider which creative technique fits your team and the challenge at hand.
Preparation is key: Ensure that all materials needed for the session are ready, such as flip charts, markers, and any audiovisual equipment.
Create the right atmosphere: A good atmosphere is essential for a successful session. Choose an inspiring space, such as a location with natural light and enough room to move around.
Facilitator: A good facilitator guides the session and ensures structure. This person keeps everyone involved and prevents chaos from breaking out.
Structure: Have a clear agenda, but allow for flexibility. Sometimes a session takes an unexpected turn, which can lead to the best ideas.
Diverse participants: Having the right people at the table is key. A mix of different backgrounds, roles, and thinking styles brings in more perspectives and helps push thinking further. Diversity within the group can lead to surprising and creative solutions.

Make your creative session a success

A well-prepared creative session with the right techniques and brainstorming exercises can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to solve small problems or come up with the next big innovation, the right approach makes anything possible. Ready to get started? Book an inspiring workshop space at Meet Tuesday and organize a creative session your team will never forget!

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