Image Brainstorming

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Generate non-obvious ideas by using random visual stimuli to prompt lateral associations.

Use it when: Use when a team is stuck in conventional thinking patterns and needs fresh angles on an existing challenge.

Skip it when: Skip when the team lacks a defined focus question or when selecting and executing established plans.

Group arrangement: Table groups of 3 to 6 participants working in parallel. A group of 7 splits into tables of 3 and 4.

Timing: Source suggests 15 to 30 minutes; UWT structures this run sheet as a focused 20-minute session.

Materials and tools

• 6 to 8 large printed photos or magazine tear-sheets per table (unrelated to the topic)
• Sticky notes (1 pad per person)
• Felt-tip markers (1 per person)
• 1 tabletop flip chart or A3 sheet per table for clustering
• Digital timer visible to the room

Before participants arrive

1. Write the central focus question prominently on a front board (for example: 'How might we encourage more commuters to cycle?').
2. Place a stack of 6 to 8 face-down unrelated image cards at each table.
3. Distribute sticky notes and markers to every seat.

Say this to open

Welcome. We are using unrelated images to push our thinking beyond obvious answers. For each image, you have exactly one minute of silent writing. Jot down every association, shape, memory, or wild idea that comes to mind relating that picture to our focus question. Write one thought per sticky note. Do not filter yourself.

How to run it

1. Set focus and explain rules 3 minutes

   Read the central focus question aloud. Explain the 1-minute visual association rule. Share one neutral example: 'If our challenge is bicycle commuting and the image is a blueberry, associations could be helmet covers shaped like berries, berry-scented bike paths, or dark blue night lights.' Confirm everyone has notes and a marker.

2. Rapid image association rounds 5 minutes

   Run 4 consecutive 1-minute visual rounds. For each round, announce: 'Turn over image number [1 to 4]. You have 60 seconds. Write silent associations on separate notes.' Start the timer. Call time at 60 seconds and immediately direct tables to flip the next image without discussing.

3. Round-robin sharing and concept generation 8 minutes

   Direct tables to work together. Have members take round-robin turns where each person reads one favorite association note aloud without interruption and places it on the center sheet. Repeat for two rounds of sharing. Then give the table the remaining time to combine those shared notes into 2 or 3 complete idea sentences written on their tabletop chart. Anyone may choose to keep personal notes private.

4. Gallery read and debrief 4 minutes

   Ask groups to pause. Take 2 minutes for people to read neighbor tables' posted concept statements. Facilitate whole-room reflection using the debrief prompts. Limit whole-room contributions to 3 voices to fit the remaining time.

Debrief questions

• Which image association produced the most unexpected concept?
• Where did your group get stuck, and how did changing the picture alter your direction?
• Which resulting idea deserves a realistic test or further development?

Finished output: A shared chart per table containing 2 to 3 novel concept statements combining random visual associations with the core challenge.

Remote

Display each image on a shared slide for 60 seconds while participants type ideas into private notes. Send participants to breakout rooms of 3 to 6 people. In breakouts, participants take round-robin turns pasting their favorite notes onto a shared digital whiteboard and drafting combined concept cards.

Hybrid

In-person tables use physical photo cards while remote participants view digital copies of the identical images on their screens. Remote participants collaborate in a video breakout room on a shared online canvas; an in-person facilitator projects their board during the gallery read so both groups see all outputs.

Access and participation choices

• Provide high-contrast, descriptive text summaries alongside printed images for participants with visual impairments.
• Participants may record associations by sketching, typing, or writing plain words.
• Sharing sticky notes with the table is voluntary; participants may pass or select only notes they feel comfortable making public.

If the session gets stuck

Participants write literal descriptions of the photo rather than ideas connected to the challenge.

Remind the room to treat the image as a metaphor or spring board: ask 'What does this shape, color, or function make possible for our challenge?'

One person at a table dominates the concept development phase.

Remind groups to adhere to the round-robin turns so each person shares before collaborative editing begins.

Terms used here

• Lateral association: Connecting two concepts that have no obvious logical link to discover unexpected ideas.