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Ideation - Blasting ideas for your future prototype

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Ideation - Blasting ideas for your future prototype

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Welcome to the Ideation phase of Human-Centred Design Thinking

This is the moment where ideas are born! In this stage, we intentionally shift from problem-focus to possibility-thinking. The goal is to generate as many creative, unusual, or inspiring ideas as possible—without judgment.

This kind of divergent thinking helps us break away from limitations and look at challenges in youth work with fresh eyes. Ideation is about openness, collaboration, and trusting the creative process.

Through this activity, you’ll go wild with ideas based on your “How Might We…” challenge and then select one or two that energise you to take forward.

Mind Mapping with Associative Branches (15 minutes)
  • Start with your “How Might We” statement at the centre of a large paper.
  • Each person uses a different colour marker.
  • Branch out freely with words, drawings, symbols, or emotions—nothing should be too logical.
  • Make wild creative leaps and build on others’ branches to push your thinking further.

“Yes, And!” Creative Writing Sprint (20 minutes)
  • Sit in circles with one paper per challenge.
  • First person writes a solution idea in one sentence.
  • Pass the paper clockwise. The next person continues the story by starting with “Yes, and…”
  • Continue for 3 full rounds. Read the result aloud to enjoy your collective creativity.

Analogous Inspiration Carousel (20 minutes)
Visit different stations with unexpected questions such as:
  • “How would nature solve this?”
  • “What would a circus performer do?”
  • “How do video gamers handle this?”
  • “What’s the total opposite solution?”
  • “How would your grandmother approach it?”
At each station, come up with one creative answer or sketch for your challenge.

Associative Brainstorming
  • Collaboratively decide on the main idea or problem to explore or resolve. Write this at the top of the whiteboard or flipchart.
  • Random word generation: Introduce the list of random words or objects. If not prepared beforehand, use a random word generator or invite participants to call out words spontaneously. Aim for 10-15 random words or objects and jot them down on the left side of the whiteboard.
  • Set the timer for 20-30 minutes. Participants should strive to associate each random word or object with the central idea, creating novel connections or solutions. They can note down their ideas on sticky notes and position them under the corresponding word on the board.
  • After the brainstorming session, collaboratively discuss each idea. Explore the feasibility of each notion, weighing its advantages and drawbacks, and considering any potential modifications.


Checkout this video for tips on a good quality brainstorming session.


Pick and Share Your Favourite Idea
From all the methods above, choose one idea that feels fresh and exciting to you. Share your idea in the space below. Include a short note: What’s the idea? Why does it energise you? How might it help in youth work?

Want to find more methods for Ideation in Teams? Check out Innovation+ Toolbox, created by a team of trainers and youth workers for people like you! You can find the link also below, in the resources section.

Earn the Idea Blaster badge by submitting one creative idea from your ideation session and sharing why it has potential.

This activity is part of the KA2 Cooperation Partnership project Learn INN, supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.


Resources

  • Innovation+ Toolbox

Get activity badge

Idea Blaster Get this badge

I earned this badge by participating in the Ideation session, where I explored creative brainstorming techniques to generate bold and meaningful ideas in the field of youth work. I embraced imagination, built on others’ contributions, and challenged myself to go beyond the obvious in search of impactful solutions.

This badge recognises my ability to think creatively, collaborate with others, and contribute original ideas that respond to real needs in youth work and non-formal education.

This badge is part of the KA2 Cooperation Partnership project Learn INN, supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.

Tasks
Task no.1
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
Share at least one creative idea you developed during the IDEATION session that responds to a “How Might We…” challenge in your context. Include a short explanation of why you think this idea could make a difference.

Skills

#Aiming at reaching educational aims by using specific ways and methods that encourage creativity, problem solving, ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, in different environmental aspects
ETS-TR
#Робіць ўдзель_ніц здольнымі быць творчымі і думаць нестандартна
ESCO
#brainstorming ideas
#Openness to using different ways and methods to encourage creativity, problem solving and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking
Creativity and design
Added to playlist (1)
Time to complete: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Organisers

Nectarus

Badge issuer recognized with

Used in playlists

LearnINN Playlist - Innovation in Youth Work
Nectarus
Created on Youth Work Pathways
Awero not-for-profit organisation manages this platform and develops it together with leading educational organisations. The European Union's programme Erasmus+ granted co-funding for building the first version of this platform. Contact support@awero.org.
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Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union
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