Image-ination

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Generate lateral associations and actionable ideas for a stuck topic using visual prompts.

Use it when: Use when a team is stuck in circular problem-solving or repeats identical solutions during ideation.

Skip it when: Skip when the group needs to evaluate detailed quantitative data or make a binary operational decision.

Group arrangement: Table groups of 4 to 7 participants (e.g., 4 to 7 work as a single table; 8 to 14 divide into two tables; 15 to 21 into three; 22 to 24 into four)

Timing: Gamestorming lists 15 to 60 minutes; 30 minutes accommodates one full cycle of association, clustering, and action listing.

Materials and tools

• 1 sheet of flip-chart paper per table group
• 1 central flip chart or whiteboard for the master action list
• 3 to 5 wordless image cards or cut photographs per person
• 1 pad of sticky notes per person
• 1 dark marker per person
• 1 roll of masking tape

Before participants arrive

1. Gather wordless cut-out photographs, postcards, or magazine clippings (3 to 5 per participant).
2. Place one flip-chart sheet on each table with the central topic written in the middle.
3. Place the image cards face down along the outer perimeter of each table flip chart.
4. Distribute sticky notes and markers to each seat.
5. Set up a central flip chart or whiteboard labeled Action Ideas at the front of the room.

Say this to open

We are looking at our topic through unrelated pictures to break out of our usual thinking rut. I will show a quick example. If our topic is Improving Onboarding and I draw a photo of a lighthouse, I might write 'clear warning signals for early confusion' or 'a steady guide on duty.' You will flip an image, write whatever connection comes to mind, and stick your note on the paper. One idea per note.

How to run it

1. Demonstrate the mechanic 3 minutes

   Speak the opening script. Point to the central challenge written on the flip chart. Hold up an unrelated sample image and speak two quick associations aloud. Check that everyone understands notes can be metaphorical or direct.

2. Generate individual associations 7 minutes

   Participants work silently. Each person flips one photo from their table edge, writes associations on sticky notes (one idea per note), and places them on the flip chart around the center topic. When finished with an image, they pick another face-down image and continue until time is called.

3. Cluster and title with photos 10 minutes

   Table groups speak together. Members review the notes on their sheet and sort them into thematic clusters. For each cluster, the group selects one photo that best illustrates the theme, places it above the cluster, and writes a short descriptive title beneath the photo.

4. Share and list actions 10 minutes

   Each table shares one titled cluster with the room (up to 4 groups total). The facilitator asks what practical step this cluster suggests and records concrete actions on the central action board. Conclude by asking one or two debrief questions.

Debrief questions

• Which image produced the most unexpected connection to our challenge?
• Looking at our final action list, which idea would never have surfaced in an ordinary discussion?

Finished output: Table flip charts with clustered sticky notes anchored by titled images, accompanied by a documented central list of concrete action steps.

Remote

Set up a digital whiteboard with a central challenge frame for each breakout group of 4 to 7. Place digital photo cards face down or masked along the board edges. Participants drag a photo to their personal space, generate virtual sticky notes, and move them to their group board. Breakout teams group notes into frames, assign a photo as the cover, title the frame, and select action ideas. In the main room, each group presents one cluster while the facilitator types action steps directly onto a shared central board frame.

Hybrid

Keep remote and in-person attendees in separate small working teams. Remote teams use a digital whiteboard preloaded with image files. In-person teams use physical flip charts and photo prints. Maintain the central action list on a digital screen visible to the room and shared on the remote conference feed. During sharing, in-person teams hold their titled photo to the room camera while the remote team shares screen, and the facilitator logs all suggested actions into the shared digital action document.

Access and participation choices

• Provide text-based metaphor prompts or alt-text descriptions alongside images for participants with low vision.
• Participants may contribute by sorting and titling rather than writing initial notes.
• Anyone may pass on sharing aloud during the whole-room report.

If the session gets stuck

Participants say they cannot find a picture that relates to the topic.

Remind them that forced, unlikely connections are the objective. Ask: 'If this picture were a metaphor for the hardest part of our problem, what would it be?'

One person dominates the clustering discussion.

Direct the group to use silent sorting for the first two minutes of clustering before discussing titles.

Terms used here

• Wordless image: A photograph, drawing, or collage clipping containing no printed text or logos.