Brain Shifter

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Generate diverse ideas for a specific challenge by viewing problems through adopted personas.

Use it when: Use during early divergent ideation when brainstorming has stalled or produced predictable options.

Skip it when: Skip when groups need precise technical evaluation, concrete data analysis, or immediate consensus on known solutions.

Group arrangement: Subgroups of 3 to 6 participants working around separate large wall posters.

Timing: Adapted to 35 minutes for workshop delivery; source documents cite 30 to 45 minutes of active brainstorming.

Materials and tools

• 1 sheet of A1 paper per subgroup of 3 to 6 participants
• Wall-safe masking tape
• Assorted colored markers (at least 3 colors per participant)
• Character cards (1 set per subgroup or digital list)
• Sticky dot stickers (3 dots per participant) or fine-tip markers for voting
• Timer

Before participants arrive

1. Tape one A1 sheet to the wall for each subgroup, spaced so teams do not bump into each other.
2. Write the central design prompt clearly in the center of each poster.
3. Place colored markers and character cards near each poster.

Say this to open

We are going to tackle our prompt by shifting into someone else's perspective. Each of you will pick a character role, such as a chef, an architect, a seven-year-old child, or an astronaut. When you approach your poster, draw and write ideas as that character would see the problem. You do not need acting skills; just ask what your character cares about most.

How to run it

1. Select characters 5 minutes

   Explain the design challenge written on the posters. Have each person pick or draw one character card from their table. Give participants two minutes to jot down three things their character values on scratch paper. Example: if the challenge is improving a waiting room and your character is an astronaut, you might focus on zero gravity, compact utility, or total silence.

2. Shift mindsets and map ideas 15 minutes

   Teams stand at their A1 posters. Participants take turns adding ideas, drawings, and connector lines using their assigned marker colors. Encourage participants to speak or sketch from their character persona. Participants must branch off at least one existing idea placed by a teammate. The facilitator announces the halfway mark at 7 minutes to ensure everyone has contributed.

3. Select top concepts 8 minutes

   Groups step out of character and review the full poster. Give each participant 3 sticky dots or have them mark dots with their pen. Everyone reviews the ideas silently and places votes on the three most actionable or intriguing concepts on their group poster. Count votes to highlight the top two ideas per group.

4. Debrief and group sharing 7 minutes

   Bring the room together. Have one spokesperson from each subgroup state their top-voted idea in 30 seconds. Run the whole-room debrief questions, taking up to 3 volunteer responses for each question.

Debrief questions

• Which character perspective pushed your thinking furthest beyond ordinary solutions?
• How did building on another character's drawing change the direction of an idea?
• Which elements from your top-voted concepts can translate directly into real-world action?

Finished output: An idea mindmap poster per subgroup with dot-voted priority concepts selected for further development.

Remote

Set up a shared digital whiteboard with separate frames for each breakout room. Each frame contains a central prompt and digital character cards. Participants select a character, choose a distinctive digital sticky note or pen color, and post ideas simultaneously. Run dot-voting using digital voting stamps or emoji reactions.

Hybrid

In-person subgroups use physical posters while remote participants work in a shared digital whiteboard. Assign a remote buddy or in-person scribe to duplicate digital notes onto the physical poster, or have all subgroups view the digital board on personal devices while working in localized pods.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose text over drawing or draw simple shapes instead of writing.
• Character roleplay can be purely cognitive; physical acting, vocal changes, or dress-up are strictly optional.
• Anyone may pass on speaking during the debrief or select a character that matches their existing comfort zone.

If the session gets stuck

Participants feel awkward or self-conscious adopting an exaggerated character.

Remind everyone that no acting is required. Frame it as a functional thinking filter: What would this person prioritize or notice first?

One person monopolizes the poster drawing space.

Introduce a quick turn rule where each person has 60 seconds to draw or write one connection before handing the active marker to the next teammate.

Terms used here

• A1 paper: A standard large poster sheet measuring 594 by 841 millimeters (roughly 23 by 33 inches).
• Mindmap: A visual diagram that arranges ideas, words, and drawings around a central topic with connecting lines.