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A methodology for creating new ideas

This is a post is intended to give people a methodology for creating new ideas.
I have won awards for illustrations using this method ie “How To Manage Brilliant People” -2009 National Azbee Awards Gold and Bronze

A lot of the time when I create an editorial illustration an idea just pops into my head … but sometimes this does not happen, so I have this little methodology for creating new ideas that has helped me time and time again.

The idea behind this methodology is similar to writing a song. There are only a few musical notes, but by rearranging their order, length and speed you can create an infinite amount of songs.

Step 1 – Important Words

Try and think of the most important words related to your project … usually 2 to 4 words.

So for this project the creative brief was rather easy because it basically spelled it out:

“Empowering Teachers with Technology”

… but from experience it’s usually not too hard to think of 2 or 3 words.

So we now have our words: Empower, Teacher, Technology

Step 2 – Word Association

Next, for each of these 3 words .. think of other things associated with them  … if you need help with this you can consult a  Thesaurus or see what images are associated by searching Google Images or Flickr. These are the “notes” you will rearrange into “songs” … or ideas.

Empower Teachers/Education Technology
  • Bridge
  • Helping Hand
  • Ladder
  • Crane
  • Super Hero/Cape
  • Power
  • Electricity
  • Motor
  • Spark
  • Ignite
  • Teacher
  • Desk
  • Books
  • Brain
  • Chalk Board
  • World Map
  • Apple
  • Class room
  • Graduation Cap
  • Diploma
  • Computer
  • Computer Chip
  • Satellite
  • Space Travel
  • Math Formulas
  • Schematics
  • Rockets
  • Molecules
  • DNA
  • Petri Dishes
  • Telescopes
  • Microscopes
  • Light Bulb

Step 3 – “make a song”

Now that you have your “notes” think of ways you can rearrange  them to convey  meaning. Pick a word from each column and see if you can create an interesting idea.  There are a number of ways to do this … change their size, their physical relationship to one another, their properties/material (metal=strong, ice=cold), etc.

Let’s see … what can we do? Maybe …

  • A crane driven by a teacher lowering a light-bulb into a student’s head.
  • A student climbing a DNA ladder to draw a light-bulb on a chalkboard
  • Students and a teacher crossing a bridge of computers to the moon
  • etc

r4

“A Bridge to places out of this world”
Students and a teacher crossing a bridge of computers to the moon

r4

“Ride The Brain Train”
The teacher’s brain is a vehicle that takes students to new places via technology/computer

r4

“Knowledge Explosion”
leveraging the window/portal metaphor

r4

“Super Teacher”
Teacher in a heroric position (foot on computer) a cape inspiring students

Here is the idea the client decided to go with …

final

I would love to hear if you have any methods for creating ideas???  Please post in comments below :)

Related Links:

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Thanks!

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Newer Comments →
  • Farik Osman

    Having faced with occasional creative juice block ups can be pretty frustrating. If you don’t sit down and run through these easy steps you can end up hurting yourself LOL. Great sharing :)

  • Farik Osman

    Having faced with occasional creative juice block ups can be pretty frustrating. If you don’t sit down and run through these easy steps you can end up hurting yourself LOL. Great sharing :)

  • http://www.louloulovesbooks.com/ Louise Best

    Thanks for sharing this Nate, I am going to have some fun using your ideas busting machine with the kids I am working with.
    Good to share and great work
    I still haven’t blogged about my poster win from you as it’s being framed, as soon as I have it though, it will be done
    Lou

  • http://www.louloulovesbooks.com/ Louise Best

    Thanks for sharing this Nate, I am going to have some fun using your ideas busting machine with the kids I am working with.
    Good to share and great work
    I still haven’t blogged about my poster win from you as it’s being framed, as soon as I have it though, it will be done
    Lou

  • http://miss-matzenbatzen.blogspot.com/ Steffi

    What a great method!
    Thank you so much for sharing! This really helps!

  • http://miss-matzenbatzen.blogspot.com/ Steffi

    What a great method!
    Thank you so much for sharing! This really helps!

  • http://christianeengel.blogspot.com/ Christiane

    that’s a clever idea, thanks for sharing. I like how rough your sketches are!
    C
    PS I don’t have a method…maybe I should look for one…

  • http://christianeengel.blogspot.com/ Christiane

    that’s a clever idea, thanks for sharing. I like how rough your sketches are!
    C
    PS I don’t have a method…maybe I should look for one…

  • http://www.psillustrations.mobi/ Starr

    Ok I usually stay in the background but that information is
    “priceless.” Now I am starting to understand why you are
    Nate Williams. Thank you,a lot!….

  • http://www.psillustrations.mobi Starr

    Ok I usually stay in the background but that information is
    “priceless.” Now I am starting to understand why you are
    Nate Williams. Thank you,a lot!….

  • claudia

    Great idea to use with teens! A format gets everyone going to places they didnt even know they could go. We use prompts sometimes, less formal but similar. Thank you. I refer friends and students to your website!

  • claudia

    Great idea to use with teens! A format gets everyone going to places they didnt even know they could go. We use prompts sometimes, less formal but similar. Thank you. I refer friends and students to your website!

  • http://WWW.yourwritingcoach.com/ jurgen wolff

    Great variation of the “forced association” method! I will try it out with my writing students, it could be an interesting way of helping them to write a scene: start with three words that express what needs to happen in that scene, do the “song” and see whether that leads to a fresher version. Thanks!

  • http://WWW.yourwritingcoach.com jurgen wolff

    Great variation of the “forced association” method! I will try it out with my writing students, it could be an interesting way of helping them to write a scene: start with three words that express what needs to happen in that scene, do the “song” and see whether that leads to a fresher version. Thanks!

  • http://www.melissakojima.com/ Melissa Kojima

    Nate, the method you described sounds a lot like the method that Gabriele Rico, Ph.D. describes in her writing book, “Writing the Natural Way”. Your way of generating ideas from the key words is what she would call, “clustering around a nucleus word”. Instead of columns for the key words, she simply draws a circle around each one and banches off other words from it that are related to it.

    Although, she uses this method to come up with some writing ideas, the same can be used for illustration or art ideas. I actually read the book because it was recommended by my illustration teacher, Marshall Vandruff. He said it would help with composition. it’s a good quick, read bursting with creative ideas.

  • http://www.melissakojima.com Melissa Kojima

    Nate, the method you described sounds a lot like the method that Gabriele Rico, Ph.D. describes in her writing book, “Writing the Natural Way”. Your way of generating ideas from the key words is what she would call, “clustering around a nucleus word”. Instead of columns for the key words, she simply draws a circle around each one and banches off other words from it that are related to it.

    Although, she uses this method to come up with some writing ideas, the same can be used for illustration or art ideas. I actually read the book because it was recommended by my illustration teacher, Marshall Vandruff. He said it would help with composition. it’s a good quick, read bursting with creative ideas.

  • http://www.n8w.com/ Nate Williams

    very cool Melissa thanks .. I will be sure to check it out. I am sure this method or variations of it have been around for hundreds of years … It’s really just a variation of the alphabet … making new words with letters .. sentences with words … etc

    Be sure to check out http://creatingminds.org/tools/tools_ideation.htm … there are tons more approaches there

  • http://www.n8w.com Nate Williams

    very cool Melissa thanks .. I will be sure to check it out. I am sure this method or variations of it have been around for hundreds of years … It’s really just a variation of the alphabet … making new words with letters .. sentences with words … etc

    Be sure to check out http://creatingminds.org/tools/tools_ideation.htm … there are tons more approaches there

  • http://www.misslotion.com/ louise (miss lotion)

    This is so great Nate! I think I already work with this process myself, but untill now it has been subconsciously. It’s so nice to have it written!

  • http://www.misslotion.com louise (miss lotion)

    This is so great Nate! I think I already work with this process myself, but untill now it has been subconsciously. It’s so nice to have it written!

  • http://www.pieterfrank.com/ Pieter Frank

    A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Young is a reccomended read for everybody in the creative industry as well. Thank you for a look in your creative method nate!

    best,

    PF

  • http://www.pieterfrank.com Pieter Frank

    A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Young is a reccomended read for everybody in the creative industry as well. Thank you for a look in your creative method nate!

    best,

    PF

  • http://jeneverito.blogspot.com/ Gustavo

    Muy buen método, gracias por compartirlo.

  • http://jeneverito.blogspot.com Gustavo

    Muy buen método, gracias por compartirlo.

  • http://www.paulbradley.co.nz/ Paul Be

    I would also recommend for people to try following this process without using words at all. The act of drawing out associations visually rather than listing them as words can be very useful. Images can suggest ideas and connections that words sometimes can’t.
    Thanks for sharing your process Nate.

  • http://www.paulbradley.co.nz Paul Be

    I would also recommend for people to try following this process without using words at all. The act of drawing out associations visually rather than listing them as words can be very useful. Images can suggest ideas and connections that words sometimes can’t.
    Thanks for sharing your process Nate.

  • http://littleredbird.com/ Jason

    Very nice. Thanks for sharing the process. This process is also used in the graphic design world as well. It’s the best way to come up with some quality and conceptually strong logo design. You are educating and inspiring lots of people. Keep up the great work!

  • http://littleredbird.com Jason

    Very nice. Thanks for sharing the process. This process is also used in the graphic design world as well. It’s the best way to come up with some quality and conceptually strong logo design. You are educating and inspiring lots of people. Keep up the great work!

  • http://www.mikelaprevost.com/ mprevost

    Thanks Nate for fun word play!
    It’s great to see how when you look in the columns at the individual words themselves, the look, well – pretty boring, but combining them into a “song” really helps to stimulate the mind visually.

  • http://www.mikelaprevost.com mprevost

    Thanks Nate for fun word play!
    It’s great to see how when you look in the columns at the individual words themselves, the look, well – pretty boring, but combining them into a “song” really helps to stimulate the mind visually.

  • http://www.thinkmcmillan.com/ Michael Z

    Thanks for that, Nate. I also like to follow Nancy Duarte’s 5 rules for brainstorming.
    1. Postpone judgment of ideas
    2. Encourage wild, exaggerated ideas
    3. Quantity counts at this stage, not quality
    4. Build on ideas put forward by others
    5. Every person and every idea has equal worth.

  • http://www.thinkmcmillan.com Michael Z

    Thanks for that, Nate. I also like to follow Nancy Duarte’s 5 rules for brainstorming.
    1. Postpone judgment of ideas
    2. Encourage wild, exaggerated ideas
    3. Quantity counts at this stage, not quality
    4. Build on ideas put forward by others
    5. Every person and every idea has equal worth.

  • http://www.nancydraws.com/ Nancy C Sampson

    I, too, often start with a combination of word associations and imagery when I am brainstorming. This method will really help me zero in on some fantastic visual ideas.Thanks for sharing this technique!

  • http://www.nancydraws.com Nancy C Sampson

    I, too, often start with a combination of word associations and imagery when I am brainstorming. This method will really help me zero in on some fantastic visual ideas.Thanks for sharing this technique!

  • Richard

    It`s a very god idea. I think you are a very good internet teacher..jaja. I presented in the pincellation tour in Cordoba, when you explain this metod. i gave to me desire of take a photograf whit you, becauase i think you are a very factastic people. I don´t have a very good english if you don´t realize. Como vos no tenes un muy buen español,,jaja por algo necesitaste del traductor en la conferencia… y tampoco sabias que significaba un “destornillador” (que mierda es un destornillador no..jaja)

    Well Goodbye
    i wait for answers

  • Richard

    It`s a very god idea. I think you are a very good internet teacher..jaja. I presented in the pincellation tour in Cordoba, when you explain this metod. i gave to me desire of take a photograf whit you, becauase i think you are a very factastic people. I don´t have a very good english if you don´t realize. Como vos no tenes un muy buen español,,jaja por algo necesitaste del traductor en la conferencia… y tampoco sabias que significaba un “destornillador” (que mierda es un destornillador no..jaja)

    Well Goodbye
    i wait for answers

  • http://www.kairostcheck.com/ Kai Rostcheck

    Great technique, thanks! I haven’t used this process, and certainly will for my “Idea of the Day” post. It’s really fun working some of my existing techniques out with kids and colleagues, to see what they come up with. If you are interested in other methods feel free to review my post “17 ways to stimulate new ideas” at http://www.kairostcheck.com/2009/06/19/idea-of-the-day-17-ways-to-stimulate-new-ideas/. I’d love comments.

  • http://www.kairostcheck.com Kai Rostcheck

    Great technique, thanks! I haven’t used this process, and certainly will for my “Idea of the Day” post. It’s really fun working some of my existing techniques out with kids and colleagues, to see what they come up with. If you are interested in other methods feel free to review my post “17 ways to stimulate new ideas” at http://www.kairostcheck.com/2009/06/19/idea-of-the-day-17-ways-to-stimulate-new-ideas/. I’d love comments.

  • eva

    Thank you very much ! Hope I can have more interesting ideas as well !

  • eva

    Thank you very much ! Hope I can have more interesting ideas as well !

  • http://www.awcomix.blogspot.com/ Anthoyn

    This is awesome thanks for posting!

  • http://www.awcomix.blogspot.com Anthoyn

    This is awesome thanks for posting!

  • http://soda-and-candy.blogspot.com/ Soda & Candy

    We used to call this “mind-mapping” when I learned it back in design college – I often forget to do it now that I’m in the *real world* but some of my best ideas have come from mind maps!

    I like your illustration style!

  • http://soda-and-candy.blogspot.com/ Soda & Candy

    We used to call this “mind-mapping” when I learned it back in design college – I often forget to do it now that I’m in the *real world* but some of my best ideas have come from mind maps!

    I like your illustration style!

  • http://copelandcom.com/ Michael Tension

    Great advice and the end illustration is great. Thanks.

  • http://copelandcom.com Michael Tension

    Great advice and the end illustration is great. Thanks.

  • http://www.scoutiegirl.com/ tara g

    i’m not an illustrator – or even a graphic designer – but i like to play make believe! i will definitely use this technique on my next project. thanks so much for this post!

  • http://www.scoutiegirl.com tara g

    i’m not an illustrator – or even a graphic designer – but i like to play make believe! i will definitely use this technique on my next project. thanks so much for this post!

  • http://www.theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/ The Shopping Sherpa

    Thank you: this is just what I need as I return to studying Design Fundamentals after the mid semester break. I’m terrified. You’ve helped. I’ll be printing this out and adding it to my visual diary to refer back to :-)

  • http://www.theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/ The Shopping Sherpa

    Thank you: this is just what I need as I return to studying Design Fundamentals after the mid semester break. I’m terrified. You’ve helped. I’ll be printing this out and adding it to my visual diary to refer back to :-)

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