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Exercises/Divergent Ideation/The Sunset
Visual Thinking ยท Divergent Ideation

The Sunset

The Sunset is a visual thinking exercise for divergent ideation: it helps participants open up more possible ideas before choosing a direction.

5 to 15 minutesTIME
Medium group (9-25)GROUP SIZE
ActiveENERGY
In person, RemoteSETTING
High cognitive loadCOGNITIVE LOAD
Strengthens Participation Architecture This divergent ideation exercise strengthens Participation Architecture, one of the eight Gathering Effectiveness pillars.

How to run it

  1. Blank sheets of paper (one per participant).
  2. Black markers or pens (avoid pencils to prevent erasing).
  3. Optional: A space to display the drawings at the end.
  4. Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.
  5. Ensure there is enough light and space to view the drawings.
  6. Briefly explain the activity and its purpose without giving too much detail.
  7. Make sure everyone has the necessary materials before starting.
  8. Participatory Methods The Sunset The Sunset is a participatory activity that demonstrates how the way we ask questions influences the quality of the answers.
  9. Set up the space: Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.
  10. Initial instructions: Briefly explain the activity and its purpose without giving too much detail.
Live facilitator

Run this exercise live

The facilitator console stays in this browser. Its QR handoff is a short-lived participant snapshot containing only public exercise instructions, phase, prompt, and timer state.

Prompts to use +

Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.

Briefly explain the activity and its purpose without giving too much detail.

Participatory Methods The Sunset The Sunset is a participatory activity that demonstrates how the way we ask questions influences the quality of the answers.

Set up the space: Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.

Initial instructions: Briefly explain the activity and its purpose without giving too much detail.

Run this with your AI assistant +

Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: The Sunset. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.; Briefly explain the activity and its purpose without giving too much detail.; Participatory Methods The Sunset The Sunset is a participatory activity that demonstrates how the way we ask questions influences the quality of the answers.; Set up the space: Arrange tables and chairs so everyone can draw comfortably.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.

Origin unverified

  • Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Participatory Methods; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Participatory Methods.)
  • What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
  • No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
  • Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.

Pairs well with