Failing to provide a clear and compelling brief does not, contrary to popular opinion, ‘open up’ creativity. Use the briefing template at schoolofthought.org/brief or at least provide a clear objective...

Meta-brainstorm different perspectives and archetypes that might be relevant for your particular situation. For example, if you have a marketing problem you might suggest different kinds of customers and business...

How might different kinds of artists interpret this problem? Brainstorm from the perspective of a visual artist, thespian, fashion designer, advertising creative, product designer, UX designer, or poet....

Pretend you’re an entrepreneur who is aiming to shake up the industry or status quo with a new vision for what might be. What would a disruptor do to challenge...

What would an alien make of this brief? By writing from the perspective of an extraterrestrial we can discover insights and assumptions to help us think in a more ‘first...

Imagine you’re a famous comedian who fits the tone of the brief. What would they joke about? What’s an irreverent insight? Is there an elephant in the room that needs...

What would you think if you knew nothing about this? How might a child interpret the problem or solution? What’s the obvious solution and why is it good or bad?...

How can we break new ground? Are we thinking too locally? If we could rewrite the rules, what would we do differently? How might someone from a different culture approach...

Take on the persona of an oracle. Why are we really doing this? What’s the true insight and purpose of this project? Is there a deeper truth? What would someone...

What does a day in the life of your target audience look like? What are their fears and aspirations? What might they not understand? What might we not understand about...