Session Brief: Crazy 8s

Goal

Artifact: Sketch Set

Working Question

Which eight distinct solution directions can we visualize in eight minutes to break fixation on one idea?

Context

Design question or challenge; inspirations or lightning demos shown in advance; existing sketches from previous rounds if available.

Setup

• Format: Method session
• Duration: 8-15 min ideation, plus 10-20 min sharing
• Mode: Workshop
• Participants: One facilitator with a timer; 1-10 sketchers (solo is possible); no design skill required, all participants sketch at the same level.
• Owner: One facilitator with a timer
• Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
• Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Sketch Set. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

A4 paper per person folded into eight quadrants (or digital with an 8-cell template); pen (prefer marker to make drawings more visible), timer, visible design question.

Preparation

Paper with eight cells (fold into three equal rows and columns). Make the challenge visible, put markers on hand. Set the timer to 8 minutes. Rule: one idea per cell, one minute each. Silence during sketching.

Agenda

1. 0-2 min (2 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Repeat the question and setup. Show all eight cells. Rule: one cell per minute, 8 minutes total. Sketches, no detailed drawing. Hint: Anyone using eraser pencil tends to perfect one field for 5 minutes. Markers force sketching speed. Output: Sketch Set

2. 2-10 min (8 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Run timer. Audible signal every minute (bell or verbal cue "next field"). Sketching in silence. No pause, no correction, every field must be filled. Hint: The last three or four fields are often the most valuable, because obvious ideas are already used up. Time pressure creates variety. Output: Idea Shortlist

3. 10-15 min (5 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Each person presents eight own sketches briefly (30 sec each, all eight fields in one round). No discussion, no evaluation. Hint: If someone has to explain too much, the sketch was not understandable. Sketches should work without text. Output: Direction Options

4. 15-25 min (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Heat map: each person places 2-3 dots on the most promising fields (own or others). Then hold a short discussion of top concepts. Hint: Heat map shows variety. If all dots land on the same field, a sketch workshop is not useful for the next iteration. Output: Sketch Set

5. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Sketch Set

Closeout

• Update result artifact: Sketch Set
• Define location, version, and review recipients.
• Define owner, next step, and review date.

Sketch Set: Crazy 8s

Working Question

Which eight distinct solution directions can we visualize in eight minutes to break fixation on one idea?

Context

Design question or challenge; inspirations or lightning demos shown in advance; existing sketches from previous rounds if available.

Participants

• Owner: One facilitator with a timer
• Participants: One facilitator with a timer; 1-10 sketchers (solo is possible); no design skill required, all participants sketch at the same level.

Input

A4 paper per person folded into eight quadrants (or digital with an 8-cell template); pen (prefer marker to make drawings more visible), timer, visible design question.

Template

Crazy 8s Working Template

Goal

A rapid sketching exercise that values quantity over perfection.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

• Sketch Set:
• Idea Shortlist:
• Direction Options:

Assumptions and open questions

• ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

• Sketch Set is complete enough for review:
• Location:
• Version / status:
• Review by:
• Next step:

Next Step

• Review result
• Mark open questions
• Schedule review or decision