Synesthesia
Synesthesia is a creative ideation exercise that encourages participants to explore ideas through the lens of the five senses. This method helps uncover new perspectives and insights by engaging participants in sensory role play, making it ideal for enhancing creativity in design or problem-solving contexts.
How to run it
- 1
Select or assign a topic for exploration, such as a product feature or user experience.
- 2
Participants are assigned one of the five senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch. Additional senses like temperature, position, or motion can be included.
- 3
Allow participants a few moments to interpret the topic from the perspective of their assigned sense.
- 4
Have each participant describe their sensory interpretation to the group, using vivid and imaginative language.
- 5
Encourage discussion on how these sensory insights might influence the topic or lead to new ideas.
Tips
Encourage participants to think beyond the literal and embrace metaphorical interpretations.
This can lead to more creative and unexpected insights.
Be open to diverse and even humorous descriptions, as they can spark further ideation.
Variations
Consider using this method in combination with sketching or prototyping exercises to further explore sensory insights. Alternatively, use it to evaluate existing products by imagining how they might 'feel' differently if altered.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Synesthesia?â–¾
Use Synesthesia when you want to: Exploring new product designs; Enhancing user experience brainstorming; Developing creative marketing strategies.
How long does Synesthesia take?â–¾
Synesthesia typically takes 15–45 minutes.
How many participants does Synesthesia work for?â–¾
Synesthesia works best for groups of 2–5 participants.
What materials do I need for Synesthesia?â–¾
Synesthesia requires no special materials — just participants and a space.
How difficult is Synesthesia to facilitate?â–¾
Synesthesia is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.