Lotus blossom

The lotus blossom method is a creativity exercise. It is a framework for idea generation, starting from one central theme. Eight conceptual themes flow out from the main theme and each of them are used as central theme to generate 8 more themes. Explore!

Lotus blossom

2 HOURS - 4 HOURS

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TASKS

1. Draw a square in the middle of your paper and write down the central theme in it.
2. Think of 8 related ideas and write them around the square using a new square for each.
3. Take each of the 8 previous themes and create 8 new themes around it. Write them in new squares.
4. Blossom as far as you think is relevant.

WHEN

When there is a need to generate a big number of ideas quickly.

WHY

Using the first 8 ideas as basis can help to expand these ideas further.

NOTE!

Be free in thinking, don’t restrict yourself to anything.

OUTPUT

A map of different ways to explore an idea.

Next

Filter the ideas to see which ones are useful.

Reference

Michalko, Michael. "Thinkpak: A Brainstorming Card Deck" CA: Ten Speed Press, pg 2 (1994): 384./ VANGUNDY, Arthur B. 101 activities for teaching creativity and problem solving. John Wiley & Sons, 2008./

Lotus blossom

2 HOURS - 4 HOURS

The lotus blossom method is a creativity exercise. It is a framework for idea generation, starting from one central theme. Eight conceptual themes flow out from the main theme and each of them are used as central theme to generate 8 more themes. Explore!

TASKS

1. Draw a square in the middle of your paper and write down the central theme in it.
2. Think of 8 related ideas and write them around the square using a new square for each.
3. Take each of the 8 previous themes and create 8 new themes around it. Write them in new squares.
4. Blossom as far as you think is relevant.

WHEN

When there is a need to generate a big number of ideas quickly.

WHY

Using the first 8 ideas as basis can help to expand these ideas further.

NOTE!

Be free in thinking, don’t restrict yourself to anything.

OUTPUT

A map of different ways to explore an idea.

Next

Filter the ideas to see which ones are useful.

Reference

Michalko, Michael. "Thinkpak: A Brainstorming Card Deck" CA: Ten Speed Press, pg 2 (1994): 384./ VANGUNDY, Arthur B. 101 activities for teaching creativity and problem solving. John Wiley & Sons, 2008./