Brainstorming: Conjuring Up Great Ideas

You don’t have to be able to cast spells to come up with creative ideas, and we aren’t claiming to be magical in any way, but we may have some insight on how to conjure up something a step above. Brainstorming is a commonplace practice brought into the creative process to help conceive new ideas during the 20th & 21st centuries. The concept was coined in the early 1950s by Alex F. Osborn, American creative and co-founder of the BBDO Agency. His methods were so successful that they still aid creative thinking today.  It’s been a bit since the concept came about, so new methods and techniques have expanded upon the original idea; It’s hard to say there’s one *RIGHT* way to do it.

Why It Works

The concept spearheaded by Alex F. Osborn originated with a simple phrase: “Thinking Up;” What a wonderful way to put it.  How big can an idea go? The no-limits thinking associated with brainstorming allows for the brain to hop from subject to subject without the threat of criticism.  A suggestion that may be surpassed in a standard meeting can be thrown onto the table without worrying about logic. An interesting take on brainstorming was used by Bill Gates during “Think Week” where every employee sent him an idea and he spent time amassing them into a working project. 

Brainstorming is the kind of group thinking that everyone can enjoy. Group sharing allows for expansion or a melding of ideas, or potentially the ability to move onto something completely different; Get out of your head and into the collaborative melding of brains. You no longer have to converse internally, instead sharing the floor with unique thoughts different from anything you’ve had thus far. It can give new viewpoints, and perspectives, expanding upon the knowledge of everyone in the room. If you’re in a unified environment with others, this can also help build a more tight-knit team, as the idea is a function of everyone’s expertise, not a lone soldier. 

With developments in Artificial Intelligence, you can also have technology within your team. AI can act as a participant or a leader in the brainstorming session, drawing up more questions or contributing to thinking up answers. It’s a unique take from a source that can pull limitless amounts of information and boost the output of what may seem to be an “everyday” brainstorming session. Unafraid to throw anything onto the table, Artificial Intelligence can act as the wild, bright-eyed addition to the group. With current technological advancements, AI can also step in as a listener, with a voice interface, feeling more human than machine.

Successful Idea Dumping 

Some ideas have roots, and some can’t grow in their current environment. There’s a lot of content out there, but landing on ideas that “have legs” and animate into something even bigger can immensely benefit from input. Some of the greatest things started with a Frankenstein of brain power and idea-making. 

Hitting walls as a team happens sometimes, but what if you spun the current idea on its head? If you get stuck in a rut there’s no reason to stop there; Thinking of Answers? Ask Questions. There are a million different methods to try if your current one isn’t working; It’s your sign from the creative gods that you’re not quite there yet.

What You May Be Missing

A third party may be your best link to a great marketing solution. When you work with professional idea generators you allow yourself to release the fear of judgment. Seasoned strategists can offer new methods to the mix, keeping everyone on their toes and excited about what’s coming next. And an outside agency isn’t bogged down by company history or come to the table with preconceived notions.

Conclusion: You Too Can Make Magic in Your Mind

…Or Hire a Wizard.

Brainstorming is an easy subject to grasp and can be done in so many ways that you’ve more than likely done it as early as grade school. Surround yourself with your preferred ideation colleagues, work alone, or even outsource to another creative powerhouse to lessen the burden. 

The perfect part of choosing to work with The King Agency is you don’t have to fear the blank page. We’ve been there before and know how to fill it with the best ideas. And you don’t have to be zombies to use us for our brains this spooky season, either; we want to say “Yes!” to your most mystical ideas and strive to find the best solutions for you!