The Art of Brainstorming
How to teach creativity and problem solving through brainstorming
Brainstorming (in a group or solo) is an important activity in teaching imagination and idea generation, and in stimulating creativity.
The most common question asked of artists has got to be, Where do you get your ideas? This is a typical question from a society that seems mystified and confused by the process of the imagination. But imagination and problem-solving can be taught through the time-tested process of brainstorming.
Brainstorming can work for an individual by writing ideas and drawing webs or lines of connection between the ideas, much like the diagramming of a sentence but without the strict rules. One idea can truly beget another and the key point in all brainstorming is to not fear the bad idea. In brainstorming all ideas are potential springboards to other ideas.
When ideas are written down or spoken, it gives them substance and allows the brainstormer to more easily consider the validity of an idea. Even if a half-baked or sloppy idea is thrown out, there is always the chance that this will lead to bigger, better, and more well thought out ideas.
To brainstorm in a group, start with a problem or kernel of an idea. A simple idea to brainstorm in a group is, What is art? It is a simple and esoteric question that can be a great start to any class that alleges to teach art. Write down the ideas, perhaps checking ideas that are similar to those already written down but in different words.
In the brainstorming process, no idea is a bad one. Sometimes, a bad or difficult idea can lead to another more pleasing or agreeable kind of idea or answer. The more ideas that are written down and repeated, the easier it is to see the better idea. There must be quantity of ideas so the best ones stand out like lights in the dark.
Be encouraging and positive, but keep asking questions to increase the number of ideas. The notion of teaching through only asking questions was said to be the invention of Socrates and is called the Socratic Dialogue. This technique works for classrooms of all ages, but works especially well for smaller children who are less inhibited about expressing their ideas in an open forum.
Many solo brain stormers may find solace in list making, a linear but effective method of idea generation. Even though a list may go undone, the idea has been written down and is more likely to be reflected upon. The sketch is perhaps the visual equivalent of brainstorming, as noodling or improvisation could be perceived as the musical variety.
