Creative people make decisions. Lots of them. The more decisions, the more creative. How do many creative people generate brilliant, unique ideas in a short period of time? What if we could harness this power? Read on and find out!
Pre-session Survey
- Ask me a question with Google Forms
- What would you like to learn from this workshop?
TPEP (Danielson format) Survey (Optional)
- Take Session TPEP Prioritization Agenda Survey
- What domains and components would you like highlighted through this workshop?
Post-session Survey
- Please fill in the What Works and What Doesn’t Google Form
- Here is a another version of the Teacher Feedback Form
- This will help improve these workshops – THANKS!
Rationale
- “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” – Orson Welles (BrainQuotes)
- Intentional limitation is needed to promote and develop ideas.
- Limit time, material, etc.
Where Good Ideas Come From: Steven Johnson
Scenius, or Communal Genius
How to Get a Great Idea: Matthew Diffee
Story Structure Resources
- The Clues to a Great Story – Andrew Stanton at TED – Screenwriter of many Pixel films
- Every Story is The Same Structure
- “Because our society, each human mind within it, and all of life itself has a rhythm and when you are in that rhythm, it resonates.” – Dan Harmon – Rick and Morty creator
- Use “Therefore” or “But” in between each beat of a story. Avoid “and then”
- Advice from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker
- People lose focus within 60 seconds if they don’t have a visual cue (reminder)
- Advice from visual literacy expert Dr. Lynell Burmark
Step 1 – Brainwrite Ideas on Paper (Introverted)(RIGHT BRAIN)
Rationale: Right brain creative idea generating is achieved best with little or no technology and distraction. Also having a visual reminder of what you are brainwriting helps keep you focused. People lose focus within 60 seconds, if they don’t have a visual reminder in front of them. Technology like cell phones and computers can distract us from idea generating task short-circuiting the creative process. Paper is helpful because it’s quick to use and allows you to write anywhere and anyway to get ideas recorded quickly in a visible medium. This gives introverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.
- Brainwrite by yourself.
- Write the main topic in a circle in the middle of the paper and then write down ideas related to the topic quickly around the circle.
- Write non-stop it for three minutes (3:00).
- Set a timer that is visible by all working on this project.
- EXAMPLE 1:
- EXAMPLE 2:
Step 2 – Brainstorm Ideas (Extroverted) (RIGHT BRAIN)
Rationale: different perspectives can evolve ideas or see patterns or opportunities where another person may not. This gives extroverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.
- Pitch the brainwritten ideas within a small team.
- The smaller the better.
- Too many people can slow down the idea generation process
- Look for ways to add/refine your ideas.
- Do this for five minutes (5:00).
- Set a timer that is visible by the whole team.
- Add the ideas to a collective brainstormed sheet.
Step 3 – Brainwrite a Storyboard (Introverted) (LEFT BRAIN)
Rationale: Storyboarding is great way to establish your story or the logical flow of an idea. Storytelling is a one of the best ways to present ideas and teach. All presentations should teach something to the audience, even in a job interview. By sharing information through a story you give the audience a way to understand the information (right brain context). By writing your storyboard on paper you create a rough draft you can share easily with others to find ways to improve your presentation or story without having to invest a lot of time on the computer before sharing.
- Storyboard by yourself.
- Create a storyboard on paper.
- Fold a piece of paper four times. You will end up with 16 small rectangles on one side of the paper.
- Use these 16 cells as sample presentation slides, film shots, etc.
- Organize non-stop your brainwritten material into chronological order for three minutes (3:00).
- Set a timer that is visible by all working on this project.
- EXAMPLE:
Step 4 – Brainstorm your Storyboard (Extroverted) (LEFT BRAIN)
Rationale: different perspectives can evolve ideas or see patterns or opportunities where another person may not. This gives extroverted people a chance to more freely express themselves.
- Pitch the brainwritten storyboard within a small team
- The smaller the better.
- Too many people can slow down the idea generation process
- Look for ways to add/refine your ideas.
- Do this for five minutes (5:00).
- Set a timer that is visible by the whole team.
- Add the ideas to a collective brainstormed storyboard.
Step 5 – Prepare and Present Ideas
Rationale: Voice and body language heavily influence presentation performance. Understanding the principles of effective presentation delivery is fundamental in conveying ideas to others.
- Watch How to Present with Power and Poise
- These two presentations will help you pitch your ideas more effectively
Scott Le Duc 