Design Thinking Toolkit, Activity 23 – Crazy 8s

It’s time to ideate, so bust out some paper, put your origami skills to use, and get your brain to run wild with Crazy 8s!

Crazy 8s is as easy and straightforward as they come. And it’s crazy fun, to boot.

This activity is best utilized when you need to get the creative vibes flowing and concoct a bevy of ideas quickly. Your team may just be at the starting line of solution ideation, in an idea-generating rut, or in need of fresh perspectives. Either way, this activity will help participants to get their thoughts on paper.

It’s important to note that wacky, wild, or seemingly impossible ideas should be encouraged. You never know when a crazy idea will help someone else think of a more practical, realistic one. Try to keep a bit of the “crazy” in Crazy 8s.

Prep the Template

There’s extremely minimal prep for this activity, so you can keep it in your back pocket and utilize it on a moment’s notice. You only need three things:

• A piece of paper for each participant (A typical 8.5″ x 11″ will do.)
• Drawing utensils (Sharpies are best, but pens and pencils work fine too.)
• A problem to solve

Run the Activity!

Pass out the supplies, then have each participant fold their paper into eight sections.

State the problem you’re solving, and tell participants they’ll have eight minutes to sketch ideas — one in each rectangle. Each idea should be unique, but the ideas don’t need to be great. Keep everyone thinking in the spirit of “Yes, and!” instead of “No, but…”

Remind everyone that no one’s drawing must be beautiful. This activity is about speed and idea generation. No one is being judged for their illustration abilities. It can be helpful to show a quick example of the low level of art fidelity you’re looking for (think stick figures and simple line art).

Then set the timer for eight minutes, and begin! This should be a silent, solo activity. There will be plenty of time for collaboration later.

When the timer goes off, have each participant share their ideas. Encourage discussion, with each idea being the jumping-off point for others.

This activity was created by the Google Design Sprint Team. 

Atomic’s Design Thinking Toolkit

• What Is Design Thinking?
• Your Design Thinking Supply List
• Activity 1 – The Love/Breakup Letter
• Activity 2 – Story Mapping
• Activity 3 – P.O.E.M.S.
• Activity 4 – Start Your Day
• Activity 5 – Remember the Future
• Activity 6 – Card Sorting
• Activity 7 – Competitors/Complementors Map
• Activity 8 – Difficulty & Importance Matrix
• Activity 9 – Rose, Bud, Thorn
• Activity 10 – Affinity Mapping
• Activity 11 – Speed Boat
• Activity 12 – Visualize The Vote
• Activity 13 – Hopes & Fears
• Activity 14 – I Like, I Wish, What If
• Activity 15 – How to Make Toast
• Activity 16 – How Might We…?
• Activity 17 – Alter Egos
• Activity 18 – What’s On Your Radar?
• Activity 19 – The Perfect Morning
• Activity 20 – 2×3
• Activity 21 – How Can I Help…?
• Activity 22 – Cover Story
• Activity 23 – Crazy 8s
• Activity 24 – Abstraction Ladder
• Activity 25 – Empathy Map
• Activity 26 – Worse Possible Idea
• Activity 27 – Pre-Project Survey
• Activity 28 – The Powers of Ten
• Activity 29 – SCAMPER
• Activity 30 – Design Studio
• Activity 31 – Forced Connections

This is an updated version of a post originally published in January 2021.