IdeationIntermédiaire

Lotus Blossom

A structured brainstorming technique developed by Yasuo Matsumura. Start with a central theme in the middle of a 3x3 grid. Generate 8 related ideas in the surrounding cells. Each of those 8 ideas then becomes the centre of its own 3x3 grid, generating 8 more ideas per theme — totalling 64 ideas from a single starting point. The structured expansion forces breadth and prevents premature convergence.

Durée

30m–1h

Taille du groupe

1–20 people

Matériel

Lotus Blossom template (3x3 or 9x9 grid), pens

Source

Community

Comment l'animer

1
Draw a 3x3 grid (the 'blossom'). Write the core theme in the centre cell.
2
Fill the 8 surrounding cells with related ideas, themes, or sub-problems.
3
Draw 8 more 3x3 grids, one for each of the 8 surrounding ideas. Place each idea in the centre of its own grid.
4
Fill each of the 8 surrounding cells of each new grid with ideas, solutions, or associations.
5
You now have 64 ideas (8 × 8). Review and cluster.
6
Identify the most promising ideas for further development.

Conseils

Run the initial 8 ideas quickly — speed prevents overthinking.
When expanding into the sub-grids, allow more time and depth.
The Lotus Blossom excels at generating unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated areas.',

Variantes

Run a 'Mini Blossom' using only 3–4 petals for quicker sessions. Use collaboratively: each participant fills in their own petal area. Apply to content planning, product development, or marketing strategy.

Contextes d'utilisation

Product ideationContent planningMarketing brainstormingSystematic creative exploration

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices.