Flickr Brainstorming Technique

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been mulling over perfecting a new technique for brainstorming based on the web 2.0 phenomenon. One of the best things about the new evolution of the internet is that consumer generated content reflects the feelings of the masses. It does not simply broadcast the views of a single maven. Instead, it amalgamates the views of hundreds of people from all over the world. Perhaps the best example of this phenomenon is the We Feel Fine project. The idea of this program is to scan all of the blogs across the internet for the phrase “i feel ____” and tracks the feelings that fill in the blanks.

This means that at any point in time, you can track the most popular feelings and emotions from the people populating the internet all over the world. You can even pinpoint specific historic moments in time. I highly recommend checking out the reactions of people worldwide on September 12th, 2001. Or even a couple of weeks ago when the images of abuses in Myanmar (formerly Burma) were flooding the internet.

Regardless, the great depths of the internet permits us to view a diverse set of popular opinions on any subject. Why not leverage this resource for your brainstorming needs? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.

1. Have the team entering the brainstorm search the topic of your brainstorm at Flickr.com

2. Print out the top responses and use them as images for the basis of the brainstorm.

3. Provide each brainstorm participant with one of the Flickr-based pictures. Each person writes down the first things that come to mind.

4. The group discusses the images and the words/phrases that each participant generated.

This technique is designed to provide a broad foundation of ideas from which to draw from for more specific ideation sessions. The main purpose is to provide a wealth of ideas that stretch across a variety of themes. Hopefully, everyone has a unique perspective of perceiving the issue and is able to express it at this time.

And remember, especially in this part of the ideation process, never say the word “no” because all ideas are valid at this stage. Every idea is a good idea.

- Christian