Creative Brainstorming Techniques That Definitely Works

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In the world of creative problem-solving, great ideas are the lifeblood of innovation.

Whether you’re sketching out your next product launch, building a new marketing campaign, or simply looking for fresh ways to solve a persistent problem, coming up with original ideas can be tough. That’s where creative brainstorming techniques come into play.

These techniques are more than just random idea generators—they’re structured, strategic methods designed to help you and your team think differently.

They’re the secret weapon behind breakthrough solutions, innovative designs, and out-of-the-box thinking.

But let’s face it: not every brainstorming session delivers those “aha!” moments.

To truly tap into your creative potential, you need the right approach—one that encourages participation, unlocks hidden insights, and turns even the most stuck conversations into fertile ground for new ideas.

In this Design Journal guide, we’ll explore what brainstorming is, why it’s so powerful, and 15 creative brainstorming techniques that actually work.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, part of a dynamic team, or just looking for ways to supercharge your next creative brainstorming session, you’ll find plenty of actionable ideas here to spark innovation and turn your best thinking into your best work.

What is brainstorming technique?

At its core, a brainstorming technique is a structured way of generating ideas and solving problems.

First coined in the 1940s by advertising executive Alex Osborn, brainstorming is about gathering a group of people (or even just your own thoughts) to produce a high volume of ideas, without fear of judgment or immediate evaluation.

In essence, brainstorming is a way of thinking that’s:
Open-ended – It encourages all types of ideas, no matter how unconventional.
Collaborative – It leverages diverse perspectives and insights from everyone involved.
Iterative – It’s not about perfection in the first round; it’s about exploration and expansion.

Why does it matter?

Because the best ideas often come from unexpected connections. By creating an environment where everyone feels safe to share even the most “out there” ideas, you can break past mental barriers and discover new possibilities.

Brainstorming techniques provide a roadmap to do just that. They offer frameworks and activities that guide you through the messy, exhilarating process of idea generation—ensuring you not only come up with lots of ideas, but also develop them into actionable solutions.

15 creative brainstorming techniques

Whether you’re working alone or with others, mastering these creative brainstorming techniques can be the difference between average solutions and truly innovative breakthroughs.

1. Mind mapping

Mind mapping is a highly visual approach that helps you explore and organize your ideas around a central theme.

You start by writing the main topic or problem in the center of a page, then branch out with related sub-topics and ideas. Each new layer adds depth and reveals connections you might not have seen before.

Why it works:
Mind mapping leverages the brain’s natural preference for visual patterns and associations. It’s an intuitive way to see how ideas relate to each other, helping you generate new pathways and connections.

How to use it in a creative brainstorming session:

• Begin by writing your main topic or challenge in the center.
• Draw branches outward, adding key ideas, themes, or questions.
• Keep expanding, adding sub-branches as you go.
• Don’t worry about structure initially—focus on flow and connections.
• Once complete, review your mind map for patterns or promising directions.

Mind mapping is one of the most popular types of brainstorming techniques because it’s flexible, visual, and deeply intuitive. It’s especially powerful for tackling complex topics or planning large projects.

2. SCAMPER

The SCAMPER method is a dynamic checklist of prompts designed to help you reimagine your ideas. SCAMPER stands for:

• Substitute
• Combine
• Adapt
• Modify
• Put to another use
• Eliminate
• Reverse

Each element prompts you to look at your idea from a different angle, driving new thinking.

Why it’s effective:
SCAMPER forces you to challenge assumptions and explore possibilities. It’s one of the most structured creative brainstorming activities for iterating on existing ideas or products.

How to use it:

• Choose your product, idea, or challenge.
• Work through each SCAMPER prompt, jotting down as many ideas as possible.
• Don’t self-edit—let your mind wander.
• Review your ideas and identify promising directions.

This technique is perfect for teams looking to refine or reinvent existing solutions.

3. Visual clustering

Visual clustering, also known as affinity diagramming, is an engaging way to sort and organize your ideas.

During a creative brainstorming session, you’ll often generate a flood of thoughts—some clear, others more abstract. Visual clustering helps you make sense of the chaos.

Why it’s powerful:
This technique visually groups similar ideas, making it easier to spot patterns and themes. It’s particularly useful in large-group sessions or when you’re dealing with complex topics.

How to do it:

• Start by writing each idea on a sticky note or index card—one idea per note.
• Spread these notes across a table, whiteboard, or even a wall.
• Ask your team to move the notes around, grouping related ideas together based on similarities, themes, or categories.
• Keep refining your clusters until you see clear groupings emerge.
• Finally, label each cluster to highlight its core theme or insight.

Visual clustering is one of the most collaborative creative brainstorming activities, sparking dialogue and encouraging everyone to see connections in new ways.

Plus, the tactile, hands-on element of physically moving ideas around makes it engaging and energizing.

4. Random word association

The random word association technique uses the power of unexpected triggers to unlock fresh thinking. Sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unlikely sources.

Why it works:
Introducing random, unrelated words into your creative brainstorming session forces your brain to forge new connections. It interrupts the predictable flow of ideas, pushing you to think in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise.

How to use it:

• Choose a random word from a dictionary, magazine, or an online random word generator.
• Share it with your team or write it on a board.
• Challenge everyone to connect that word to your main problem or topic.
• Let the associations flow freely—no idea is too wild or weird!
• Once you’ve gathered connections, discuss how they might inspire practical solutions.

This method is perfect for overcoming creative blocks or shaking up routine thinking. It’s one of the most fun and surprising types of brainstorming techniques out there.

5. Six thinking hats

The Six Thinking Hats technique, developed by Edward de Bono, is a structured framework that encourages your team to look at a problem from multiple perspectives. It’s like giving your team different “lenses” to view your challenge.

Why it’s effective:
Many brainstorming sessions get stuck in one mode—maybe everyone’s being too critical, or too optimistic. Six Thinking Hats balances this by assigning specific roles to participants, ensuring a full-spectrum approach.

The six hats and their roles:

• White Hat: Focus on facts, data, and what’s known.
• Red Hat: Express emotions, hunches, and feelings.
• Black Hat: Highlight risks, obstacles, and concerns.
• Yellow Hat: Explore the positives and potential benefits.
• Green Hat: Emphasize creativity, new ideas, and possibilities.
• Blue Hat: Manage the process and keep the group on track.

How to use it in your creative brainstorming activities:

• Assign a hat to each team member, or rotate hats as you work through the problem.
• Spend time discussing the problem through each hat’s perspective.
• Gather insights from each phase and synthesize them to build well-rounded ideas.

This approach ensures that all viewpoints are considered, making it one of the most comprehensive types of brainstorming techniques you can use.

6. Reverse brainstorming

If you’re feeling stuck in your usual thinking patterns, reverse brainstorming flips the script. Instead of asking how to solve a problem, you ask how to create it.

It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful way to uncover hidden assumptions and fresh insights.

Why it’s powerful:
By intentionally thinking about how to worsen a problem, you highlight vulnerabilities, overlooked factors, and new perspectives you might have missed.

How to use it in a creative brainstorming session:

• Clearly define your problem. For example, if your challenge is “How do we increase customer satisfaction?”, flip it to “How do we decrease customer satisfaction?”
• Generate as many “bad” ideas as you can. No idea is too extreme or silly.
• Once you’ve exhausted your list, reverse each negative idea into a positive one.
• These reversals often reveal unique, practical solutions you wouldn’t have considered otherwise.

This is one of the more unconventional creative brainstorming activities, but it’s a favorite for shaking up team dynamics and finding overlooked ideas.

7. Rapid sketching

Rapid sketching is a quick-fire visual brainstorming technique that taps into your brain’s nonverbal creativity. If you’ve ever found it easier to show an idea than to explain it in words, this technique is for you.

Why it works:
Visual thinking engages different parts of your brain, allowing you to express ideas that might be hard to articulate. Rapid sketching is especially valuable in fields like product design, development, and marketing.

How to do it:

• Give everyone in the session paper and pens (or tablets, if digital).
• Set a timer (5–10 minutes) and ask everyone to sketch ideas as quickly as they can—no need for perfect drawings.
• Share the sketches, discussing them as a team.
• Build on each other’s visuals to refine concepts or spark new directions.

This technique makes your creative brainstorming session more engaging and inclusive, especially for visual thinkers.

8. The 5 whys

The 5 Whys is a deceptively simple yet incredibly powerful technique for getting to the heart of a problem. By repeatedly asking “why” something happens, you drill down to the root cause—often revealing insights that aren’t immediately obvious.

Why it’s effective:
Surface-level problems can often distract you from the real issue. The 5 Whys cuts through the noise, helping you identify what truly needs to be solved.

How to use it:

• Start by clearly stating the problem.
• Ask “Why does this happen?” and write down the answer.
• Take that answer and ask “Why?” again.
• Continue this process at least five times or until you uncover the fundamental issue.

Use the root cause you uncover as a launchpad for your creative brainstorming activities. This ensures your ideas address the real problem, not just the symptoms.

9. Stepladder technique

The stepladder technique is a clever approach that ensures every team member has a voice—especially useful in larger groups where quiet thinkers can get overshadowed.

Why it’s valuable:
By introducing people gradually, you avoid the dominance of louder voices and create space for fresh, independent ideas.

How it works:

• Present the problem to the entire team.
• Start with two members discussing it together.
• One by one, add another team member. Before hearing the group’s ideas, each new person shares their thoughts independently.
• Continue until everyone’s contributed.
• Review all ideas and synthesize them into a cohesive plan.

This technique is one of the most inclusive types of brainstorming techniques, making it perfect for team-based challenges.

10. Figure storming

Figure storming is a fun, creative exercise that helps you see your challenge through someone else’s eyes.

By imagining how a well-known figure—real or fictional—would solve your problem, you break out of your usual thinking patterns.

Why it’s impactful:
Different figures bring different approaches, from visionary leaders to fictional heroes. This perspective shift can spark unexpected insights.

How to use it in a creative brainstorming session:

• Choose a figure (like Elon Musk, a famous scientist, or even a comic book hero).
• Discuss how this figure might approach the problem.
• Encourage the team to stay in character and think as that person would.
• Review the ideas and adapt them to your context.

Figure storming is a lively way to inject energy into your creative brainstorming activities and keep the session fresh.

Bonus: Popular types of brainstorming techniques

Exploring different types of brainstorming techniques is key to unlocking the creative potential of your team. Here are five more powerful methods to consider for your next creative brainstorming session:

11. Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a visual technique that brings your ideas to life through a sequence of sketches, images, or frames—much like a comic strip or movie storyboard.

It’s perfect for projects that involve storytelling, user journeys, or any process that evolves over time.

Why it’s a creative brainstorming technique that works:
Storyboarding taps into your team’s ability to visualize and narrate experiences. It helps everyone see the bigger picture and identify potential gaps or opportunities.

How to do it:

• Break down your challenge or idea into stages or key moments.
• Use a whiteboard, sticky notes, or digital tools to sketch out each scene in sequence.
• Discuss how each stage connects to the next, refining your narrative until it flows seamlessly.

This is one of the most engaging creative brainstorming activities, turning abstract ideas into something tangible and relatable.

12. Stream of consciousness

The stream of consciousness technique is a freewriting exercise that unleashes raw, unfiltered ideas. It’s particularly valuable when you want to bypass overthinking and let your creativity flow.

Why it’s so effective:
It removes the pressure to be “right” or “perfect,” allowing your team to surprise themselves with unexpected insights.

How to use it in a creative brainstorming session:

• Set a timer (typically 10–15 minutes).
• Ask everyone to write down every thought that comes to mind about the problem or topic—without editing or censoring.
• Once the timer ends, share and discuss the ideas as a group.

This approach is among the most liberating types of brainstorming techniques, helping you generate a wide range of fresh ideas in record time.

13. SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis is a structured technique that helps you see the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to your challenge or project.

While it’s often used in business planning, it’s also a great tool for idea generation.

Why it’s a powerful creative brainstorming technique:
It provides a comprehensive overview of your situation, highlighting not just the positives but also the potential pitfalls and areas for improvement.

How to use it:

• Divide a large sheet or whiteboard into four quadrants: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
• Work through each quadrant systematically, gathering as many insights as you can.
• Use the results as a launchpad for deeper creative brainstorming activities.

This ensures your creative brainstorming session is grounded in reality while still leaving room for innovation.

14. Zero draft

The zero draft is an unpolished, rough first attempt at fleshing out your ideas. It’s like giving yourself permission to create a messy prototype before worrying about making it perfect.

Why it’s a great creative brainstorming activity:
It gets your team moving quickly, sidestepping the trap of perfectionism that can stall progress.

How to do it:

• Set a short time limit (20–30 minutes).
• Encourage everyone to quickly write down or sketch out their vision for the idea or project—no editing, no revising.
• Share your zero drafts and discuss them as a group, refining them together.

This technique is a favorite among writers, designers, and entrepreneurs, making it a versatile addition to your creative brainstorming techniques toolkit.

15. Brain netting

Brain netting (also called brainwriting) is a collaborative idea-sharing technique done virtually. It’s perfect for remote teams or asynchronous work.

Why it’s a modern creative brainstorming technique:
It gives everyone a chance to contribute—without the usual interruptions or time constraints of in-person sessions.

How to use it in your creative brainstorming session:

• Share a digital document or brainstorming board (like Miro, Mural, or Google Docs).
• Invite everyone to contribute ideas, either at the same time or over a set period.
• Once all ideas are captured, discuss them together or asynchronously.

This technique combines the freedom of individual ideation with the power of group discussion—making it one of the most flexible types of brainstorming techniques for today’s teams.

Do and dont’s for creative brainstorming techniques

Mastering creative brainstorming techniques is all about creating the right environment to encourage bold thinking, inclusive participation, and productive outcomes. Here’s how to set your team up for success:

Do’s of creative brainstorming techniques:

Early in any creative brainstorming session, focus on idea generation over evaluation. Encourage your team to share every thought that comes to mind—no matter how unconventional or “crazy” it may seem.

Remember: some of the most innovative ideas start as the ones that sound the most far-fetched!

Stay open-minded and positive

It’s essential to keep an open mind when using any of these types of brainstorming techniques.

Avoid dismissing ideas outright—sometimes, a small tweak can turn a “bad” idea into the perfect solution. Positive reinforcement and curiosity fuel a safe and inspiring environment.

Use visuals, props, and physical tools

Many creative brainstorming activities benefit from more than just words. Using visuals like diagrams, mind maps, sticky notes, or digital whiteboards can spark new connections and help everyone see patterns or possibilities they may have missed.

Props or physical tools like sketch pads or mood boards can also unlock fresh perspectives.

Rotate facilitators or approaches regularly

If you’re always using the same types of brainstorming techniques or relying on the same facilitator, you risk getting stuck in a creative rut.

Switching up leaders or methods can infuse fresh energy and perspectives, keeping your creative brainstorming session dynamic and engaging.

Document everything (even the outliers):

During your creative brainstorming activities, write down every idea—big or small, polished or half-baked. Sometimes, those oddball ideas spark new thinking in the next round of discussions.

Having a record also means you can revisit and refine them later when your team is in a different mindset.

Don’ts of creative brainstorming techniques:

Don’t criticize or evaluate ideas too early

One of the fastest ways to shut down creativity is to introduce critical feedback before the idea has a chance to breathe.

Save the judgment and editing for later in your creative brainstorming session so that ideas can flow freely.

Don’t let one voice dominate the conversation

Effective creative brainstorming techniques rely on a balance of voices and perspectives. If one person dominates the conversation, quieter team members might feel their ideas aren’t welcome.

Use structured types of brainstorming techniques—like the stepladder technique or brain netting—to ensure everyone has an equal chance to contribute.

Don’t rush the process

While quick sprints can be energizing, don’t cut your creative brainstorming activities short. Ideas often evolve through multiple phases of thought and discussion.

Give your team the time they need to move past the obvious and into more innovative territory.

Don’t lose sight of your core challenge or goal

It’s easy to get carried away with exciting ideas and forget the actual problem you’re trying to solve.

A good facilitator ensures that the team always circles back to the main challenge—keeping creativity focused and aligned with project goals.

Benefits of creative brainstorming sessions

Embracing creative brainstorming techniques isn’t just a fun way to generate ideas—it’s a strategic tool that can transform your team’s approach to problem-solving. Here’s how:

Unleashing fresh perspectives

When you use varied types of brainstorming techniques, you create space for new viewpoints and fresh insights. Techniques like random word association or visual clustering can help you see challenges from completely different angles.

Building a culture of collaboration and inclusion

Creative brainstorming sessions foster a sense of belonging and openness. Team members feel empowered to contribute, knowing their ideas are valued and respected—strengthening collaboration and morale.

Faster and better solutions

A structured yet open-ended creative brainstorming session helps you move past surface-level ideas quickly.

By using techniques like the 5 Whys or SCAMPER, your team can identify root causes and arrive at smarter, more comprehensive solutions.

Spotting hidden opportunities and threats

Brainstorming tools like SWOT analysis or figure storming push your team to go deeper—uncovering both risks and golden opportunities that may have been overlooked.

Aligning teams around a shared vision

A well-run creative brainstorming session ensures that everyone is pulling in the same direction. When people see how their ideas fit into the bigger picture, they’re more invested in turning them into reality.

Conclusion

The magic of creative brainstorming techniques lies in their diversity and adaptability. From mind mapping to reverse brainstorming, storyboarding to brain netting, each technique offers a fresh lens to approach your challenges.

Remember—there’s no single best method. The key is to experiment, find what works for your team, and keep evolving your toolkit.

By weaving in these types of brainstorming techniques, you’ll not only spark more innovative ideas but also create a culture of curiosity and collaboration that pays off far beyond the next project.

Frequently asked questions

What is creative brainstorming?

Creative brainstorming is a collaborative process that helps teams generate new and innovative ideas by tapping into diverse perspectives and thinking styles.

Unlike traditional problem-solving, which can be linear and structured, creative brainstorming is about exploring many different angles—encouraging curiosity, open-mindedness, and even a bit of playfulness.

Whether you’re tackling product design, marketing campaigns, or organizational challenges, creative brainstorming techniques help you break through mental barriers and discover fresh solutions.

How to run a creative brainstorm?

Running a successful creative brainstorming session requires planning, facilitation, and follow-through. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Define the goal: Clearly state the problem or opportunity you want to explore.
Choose your technique: Pick one or more types of brainstorming techniques—like mind mapping, SCAMPER, or storyboarding—to guide your session.
Set the stage: Create a welcoming and inspiring environment, whether it’s a whiteboard-filled conference room or a virtual collaboration board.
Encourage wild ideas: Let everyone contribute freely without criticism or evaluation during the early stages.
Capture everything: Use visuals, sticky notes, or digital tools to document all ideas generated during your creative brainstorming activities.
Refine and prioritize: After the idea-generation phase, evaluate and refine the ideas to identify the most promising ones.
Follow up: Assign action steps and revisit the session’s outputs regularly to ensure ideas become real solutions.

What are the 7 rules to brainstorming?

The 7 rules of brainstorming, popularized by experts like Alex Osborn and later refined by IDEO and other innovation leaders, are:

Defer judgment: Don’t criticize or evaluate ideas during the session—let creativity flow.
Encourage wild ideas: The more outlandish the better! These can often lead to groundbreaking insights.
Build on the ideas of others: Combine or expand on existing ideas to create even better ones.
Stay focused on the topic: Keep the conversation centered on the core challenge or opportunity.
One conversation at a time: Avoid side conversations—listen and let everyone have their turn.
Be visual: Diagrams, sketches, and props can bring abstract ideas to life.
Go for quantity: More ideas mean more chances of striking gold—aim for a high volume of ideas in the early stages.

What are the 4 examples of brainstorming activities?

Here are four creative brainstorming activities you can try with your team:

Mind Mapping: A visual tool that helps you explore related ideas, subtopics, and connections around a central concept.
SCAMPER: A structured checklist that pushes you to rethink or reframe existing ideas by substituting, combining, adapting, and more.
Random Word Association: This fun exercise introduces random words to spark fresh, unexpected connections.
Figure Storming: A technique where you put yourself in someone else’s shoes (like a famous innovator or historical figure) to generate new perspectives.