Pictured are some of the 50 Derby uni graphic design BA, year 1 students trying some horizontal brainstorming in my visual problem solving session. After the initial shock and sniggers they embraced the shift of approach and lay there for quite a while looking thoughtful. A couple of students later said that the state of mind there was free floating and productive; felt less pressured or rational than sitting staring at a blank page to generate ideas for the new brief they had just read – a type-led, A1 posters for an art exhibition.
another method is quick-fire thinking, no pressure. but you’ve got to create the right kind of friendship and atmosphere. Below are students drawing and ideating as many ideas as they can on the word connectivity, during a different workshop.
Gemma Ince 