Crazy 8s

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Generate eight rapid variations or solutions to a defined problem without premature self-censorship.

Use it when: Use during the ideation phase of a workshop when a group needs to move past obvious solutions and produce varied concepts quickly.

Skip it when: Skip when the group lacks a clearly defined problem prompt, or when detailed technical evaluation is required rather than broad divergence.

Group arrangement: Individual sketching followed by pairs or triads

Timing: Source suggests 8 minutes for sketching plus 10 to 15 minutes for sharing; 20 minutes total allocated.

Materials and tools

• One sheet of blank paper (A4 or letter size) per participant
• One pen or dark marker per participant
• A countdown timer visible to the group
• One central prompt written on a shared display

Before participants arrive

1. Write the target challenge prompt prominently on a board or slide.
2. Place one sheet of blank paper and a pen at each participant workspace.

Say this to open

Take your sheet of paper and fold it in half three times so when you open it up, you have eight distinct rectangles. In a moment, we will run an eight-minute timer. Your goal is to sketch or write one idea per rectangle, aiming for eight distinct approaches to our challenge. Drawing quality does not matter. Stick figures, diagrams, and rough labels are fine. Work quickly and keep moving.

How to run it

1. Fold and frame 2 minutes

   Direct participants to fold their sheet into eight rectangles (fold in half three times, then unfold) or draw grid lines creating eight boxes. Read the central challenge aloud. Clarify that words, symbols, and rough sketches are equally valid. An example prompt: 'How might customers browse our catalog on a low-bandwidth phone?' Example entry: a simple text list with large numbered buttons.

2. Sketch eight ideas 8 minutes

   Start the eight-minute countdown timer. Participants work individually in silence. Announce the time remaining at each minute mark to maintain pace. Instruct participants to move to a new panel roughly every minute, filling each space with a distinct idea or variation. Stop sketching when the timer sounds, regardless of how many boxes are filled.

3. Share in pairs 6 minutes

   Form pairs (or one triad if the group size is odd). Each participant takes three minutes to show their sheet to their partner and explain their top two or three ideas. The listening partner notes any novel combinations or strong elements without critiquing feasibility.

4. Debrief patterns 4 minutes

   Reconvene the full room. Ask two or three volunteers to share an unexpected idea or an interesting variation they noticed in their partner's sheet. Record recurring themes on the main board.

Debrief questions

• Which panel forced you past your first conventional idea?
• What recurring patterns or themes appeared across different sheets?
• Which single concept from your partner's sheet deserves a closer look?

Finished output: Individual eight-box idea sheets with up to eight sketched or written concepts per participant, ready for selection or further prototyping.

Remote

Create an online whiteboard board (such as Miro or Mural) with a pre-formatted 2x4 grid frame for each participant. Alternatively, have remote participants sketch on physical paper and hold it up to the camera or upload a quick photo. Run the eight-minute timer on screen, then send participants into paired breakout rooms for six minutes.

Hybrid

In-person participants sketch on physical paper; remote participants use their own paper or a digital whiteboard. During the sharing step, pair in-person participants with in-person peers, and remote participants with remote peers in breakout rooms. If an odd remote participant must pair with an in-person participant, connect them via a dedicated laptop and headset.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may use written bullet points or words instead of drawing sketches.
• Participants who prefer not to share their sheet may simply listen during the pair step or describe an idea verbally without showing their paper.

If the session gets stuck

Participants freeze because they feel they cannot draw well.

Remind the room that rough diagrams, stick figures, and plain text notes are completely acceptable. The goal is capturing the concept, not visual art.

Participants get stuck after two or three ideas and stop working.

Prompt them to take an earlier idea and invert it, think about how to solve the problem with zero technology, or combine two earlier panels into one.

Terms used here

• Divergent thinking: Generating many different possible solutions or alternatives to an open-ended problem.