Description Long

All workshop participants write down as many terms as possible on pieces of paper (physically or digitally) within two minutes, based on a specific topic. The pieces of paper are then placed face down. The first participant randomly selects two pieces of paper and attempts to create a term or sentence from them. The newly formed connection is then explained in detail by the participant, and its relevance to the topic is clarified. After that, the next participant takes their turn.

Variation for Opening 2: The terms derived from Opening 1 are written on cards according to their category, and these cards are then covered. This is done behind the scenes to prevent participants from cheating. If Opening 1 results in no terms or too few, this can still be addressed by an additional small opening method.

Illustration

Preparation

• Before the workshop participants write down the terms, a main topic should be defined. If terms are written down randomly, it becomes too complex to find a relevant term for the given topic.
• Prepare cards, pens, and a pinboard (physical) or an online platform such as MURAL/Miro (digital).

Execution

Analog:

1. Terms related to a specific topic are written on cards (2 minutes).
2. Before turning over the cards containing the terms, check that the individual terms have not been repeated too often.
3. The cards containing the terms are turned over and shuffled.
4. One person reveals two terms one after the other.
5. They form a new term or sentence and explain the new combination to the group.
6. The next person takes their turn.

Online:

1. Terms related to a specific topic are written on cards and placed face down.
2. Before turning over the cards containing the terms, check that the individual terms have not been repeated too often.
3. Determine the order in which participants draw cards.
4. Call on participants in turn to reveal the cards.
5. Once all cards have been revealed, the participants form a new sentence or term using the two terms.

Hints from experience

• The method can be conducted indoors or outdoors.
• The (best) results can be noted on a whiteboard or pinboard to make them visible for later discussions.
• On MURAL, each participant can reveal the cards. Keep an eye on any manipulations and participants (possibly share the screen with everyone).

Tools list

• Pencils, board markers
• Papier cards (blank)
• Pinboard
• Sticky notes
• Head push pins

References

The analogue method was developed by Marcel Geiser, Marco Barmettler, Marc Willimann and Martina Bircher during the 2018 CreaLab Summerschool of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.