At square44 we often need to generate ideas for our clients, trying to come up with new product concepts, new ideas for promoting a product or new ways to talk about a product.

We generate ideas in many different ways, using many different techniques and we believe one of our strengths is ideation.

Originally developed as an in-house tool, we now present idea squares to the public. Idea squares is an ideation game that can help you generate ideas instantly and in whatever quantity needed! Suitable for solo or group brainstorming, this game this is a sure way to get creative.

Based on the well-known technique of random association, the game exists of 150 cards with different, unique, carefully selected images of stimulating, unexpected visuals that are guaranteed to get your creative brainstorm juices flowing!

So… How does it work?

Step 1
Write down your ideation challenge on a piece of paper and keep this in front of you.

Step 2
Based on the # of ideas you’d like to generate you place a grid of 3 by 3 cards in front of you. All cards must be facing down.

Step 4
Look at each of the words you wrote down and then link these to your challenge, if nothing comes up immediately – try to further associate the word you wrote down. If you don’t come up with anything, don’t worry – not every word will bring something. Write down wild and crazy ideas without a filter – the worst thing you can do when generating ideas is to start applying filters too early on. Let the ideas flow, write down a lot of them, wild and whacky ones are more than welcome. At evaluation and development stages

You’ll be surprised at how many unusual new ideas you’ll come up with!

► I’m a marketer

► My Ideation Challenge: I need to develop ideas for a new hair care styling product.

► Image 1 is a Penguin

► My 1 minute associations with a penguin are:

• Black and White
• Tux
• Cold
• Animal
• Waggling Movement

► Ideas for New Product:

• Black and white → formal, stylish, fashion, premium → new product idea: A new very premium hair care styling product as used by models behind the scenes of  catwalk, now available to everyone.. Look like a model today!
• Tux → gala, premiere, special event → new product idea: A new "gala range" of styling products that lets users develop their own ultra chique look without having to visit a salon!
• Cold → snow, ice, gletsjer, frozen → new product idea: A hairspray that gives an instant-frozen effect to hair – freezing each strand in a perfect manner to style your hair as you please!
• Animal → evolution, earth, natural → new product idea: A new range of styling products that is based on natural ingredients only – a herbal range or a bio range of hair styling products!
• Waggling → motion, odd movement, itch → new product idea: A new hair care styling product focusing on scalp care & scalp protection ensuring those that use a lot of styling products can wash all the chemicals out at the end of the day, avoiding scalp irritation, itchy-ness or pimples on the scalp, so you can tyle all you like!

• Make the grid bigger or smaller, to match the expected # of ideas you’d like to generate (and the time you have available) you can place cards in a grid of 2 by 2, 3 by 3, 4 by 4, 5 by 5 or even 6 by 6 (though that’s making it a bit hardcore!)
• Instead of taking 1 minute you can spend 30 seconds or 2 minutes to write down associations for each cards.
• Play the game with a group of people, everyone will have their own associations – just work separately from each other.
• Give others a different set of cards if you want to push variety.
• Rotate sheets with written associations from others and create your own links to products.

Be creative! There are so many ways this simple tool can be used, you’ll be amazed. Try it not only for work challenges, but any time you’re stuck for ideas!

1 set of 150 cards, comes in a handy carton box with a set of instructions. We produce our game in small quantities, so 1 set costs USD 19.99 (excl postage and delivery fees).

To order, for feedback or if you have questions, contact us via email:  ideasquares AT square44 DOT com.