Random Idea Generation

Randomness is a great asset in creativity - which is, after all, about generating large numbers of new ideas. Brainstorming is one excellent way of doing this. Unfortunately even in the open-ended context of a brainstorm session there are some ideas that you simply won't come up with. They're just too weird, your internal censor deletes them before you even become conscious of them.

That's where randomness comes in. Generating ideas at random turns off the censor totally. Random creativity is of most use either when you're just starting a project or when you're completely stuck and even brainstorming has failed to produce an answer.

Shuffle The Deck

The simplest way of creating randomly is to take a large number of file cards. On each one write a word or phrase associated with the problem (if you're stuck) or the general project domain (if you're just starting). Throw in a few "jokers", words or phrases with no immediate connection with the subject yet which have the potential to be interesting. When selecting the contents of the cards, try not to be too specific. You want flexibility, even ambiguity. On the other hand don't be so general that the cards are just mush. The level of detail will depend on the nature of your project.

For example, I like to write ghost stories and have cards including such obvious cliches as "full moon", "ancient mirror", "attic" - and a few jokers such as "piano" and "chocolate"!

For commrcial applications you'd obviously want to includde certain relevant terms like "buy", "training", "investment". Remember to include not just those things you currently do but those you don't do at the moment!

Shuffle well, pick three at random. Now try to combine at least two of these in some way. Ideally try to combine all three. Don't give up until you've found something, however daft. Then write it down and pick another set of three.

Instead of words, you might prefer to use pictures cut from magazines. Whenever I see an evocative picture of the right size in a magazine I cut it out and stick it on to an index card. Just looking through the stack can provide inspiration, selecting three and trying to connect them is extremely valuable.

It helps to build up your random idea stacks gradually over time. That way, when you come to pick cards you'll find that some of them will surprise you.

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