Each week, we meet for two hours to use structured creativity techniques like TRIZ and DeBono’s “six thinking hats” to come up with creative solutions to problems that we experience as 18-26 year old students on and off campus. These brainstorms often lead us to ideas that blossom into projects that generally last one semester.

In our brainstorm sessions, we use a large common writing sheet, sticky notes and different colored pens to capture our ideas. During brainstorms, we follow the footsteps of IDEO and brainstorm with these guide lines:

• One conversation at a time
• Stay focused on the topic
• Encourage wild ideas
• Be visual
• Go for quantity
• Defer judgment
• Fail often to succeed sooner
• Build on the ideas of other

Sample brainstorms

• Ruckus Nation (Group 1, 2)
• Outside & In
• Classroom Clash
• Things that bother you

Watch a brainstorm on water bottles below:

In the past, we have done a project for Nokia , 3M, projects for the UCPD, the Department of Parking and Transportation, and of course, projects at and for UC Berkeley.

What we offer is a creative perspective on the unique mindsets and needs of students 18-26. If you are a company interested in looking at a problem from our perspective, whether that be one brainstorming session or a full semester’s project, please write to us at contactus@innovation.berkeley.edu