“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” — Linus Pauling, Nobel Prize-winning chemist
Brainstorming is where every great invention begins. It’s the spark that transforms a simple thought into a potential breakthrough. Whether you’re designing a new gadget, refining a product, or solving a real-world problem, brainstorming helps you explore possibilities beyond your initial assumptions.
The key to successful brainstorming isn’t just coming up with ideas — it’s creating an environment where every idea counts. Here’s how to turn your brainstorming sessions into fertile ground for invention.
1. Define the Problem or Goal
Before creativity can flourish, it needs direction. Define exactly what problem your invention will solve or what need it will fulfill.
Ask yourself:
- What frustrates people most about the current solutions?
- What gap exists in the market?
- What outcome would make life easier, faster, safer, or more enjoyable?
Example: When James Dyson couldn’t find a vacuum that didn’t clog and lose suction, he didn’t just improve the bag — he reimagined the entire system. By clearly defining his problem, he developed over 5,000 prototypes before perfecting the Dyson vacuum.
2. Gather Resources and Information
Knowledge fuels innovation. Before reinventing the wheel, research existing patents, products, and trends. This prevents duplication and often sparks better ideas.
Use Google Patents, industry blogs, or academic journals to see what’s been tried — and where others have failed.
Pro Tip: Keep an “Inspiration Folder” — digital or physical — filled with articles, sketches, and materials that relate to your invention idea. You never know when an old clipping will inspire a new angle.
3. Set the Stage
Creativity thrives in the right environment.
Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can think freely — or, if you’re energized by collaboration, a creative coworking hub where ideas bounce around easily.
Have your tools ready: notebooks, sticky notes, whiteboards, or digital brainstorming tools like Miro or Notion.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — Albert Einstein
4. Solo Brainstorming
Start with yourself. Capture everything that comes to mind — even the ridiculous. The first rule of brainstorming: there are no bad ideas.
Try:
- Mind mapping: Write your main problem in the center, and branch out with words, sketches, or associations.
- Free writing: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write nonstop about your invention idea.
- Sketching: Even rough doodles can help visualize solutions.
Example: Post-it Notes were born when scientist Spencer Silver accidentally created a weak adhesive — and Art Fry later realized it could be used for removable bookmarks. That connection might never have happened without solo brainstorming.
5. Group Brainstorming
Two (or more) heads are often better than one. Invite people from diverse backgrounds — engineers, artists, consumers — to share ideas. The mix of perspectives can be pure gold.
Encourage a “no judgment” zone. Record everything, then refine later.
Example: IDEO, a design firm famous for creating the first Apple mouse, relies heavily on group brainstorming where wild ideas are encouraged before narrowing down.
6. Divergent Thinking: Go Wide
Push quantity over quality at this stage. List 50 ideas, even if half seem impossible. The goal is to stretch your thinking.
Try prompts like:
- “What if we had unlimited resources?”
- “How might a child solve this?”
- “If there were no rules, what would we do?”
7. Convergent Thinking: Narrow the Focus
Now switch gears. Review your brainstorm list and identify which ideas fit your goal, resources, and target audience.
Ask:
- Is this technically feasible?
- Does it solve the problem effectively?
- Would customers pay for it?
This is where your inventor’s intuition and analytical side unite.
8. Use Stimuli and Prompts
Stimuli can spark new associations. Browse Pinterest, flip through magazines, or even take a nature walk. Unrelated visuals often trigger connections your logical mind wouldn’t make.
“Serendipity favors the connected mind.” — Steven Johnson, Where Good Ideas Come From
9. Encourage “Crazy” Ideas
Sometimes the ideas that sound ridiculous at first are the ones that change everything.
Example: When someone first proposed wireless charging, it sounded absurd — now it’s standard in smartphones. Don’t censor creativity; refine it later.
10. Combine and Remix
Innovation often lies at the intersection of ideas. Try merging two unrelated concepts — like combining a traditional alarm clock with aromatherapy to create a scent-based wake-up system.
Ask, “What happens if we mix this with that?”
11. Work Within Constraints
It may sound counterintuitive, but limitations often inspire creativity. Setting parameters around budget, materials, or time pushes you to think resourcefully.
Example: During the early days of NASA’s Apollo program, engineers had to design a pen that could write in zero gravity — leading to the creation of the space pen.
12. Visualize and Prototype
Bring your ideas to life, even roughly. Create sketches, 3D mockups, or digital prototypes using tools like Canva, Figma, or Tinkercad.
Prototyping helps you see and test your idea — and often leads to new refinements.
13. Take Breaks and Reflect
Your brain needs downtime to make connections. Step away, take a walk, or sleep on it. Often, your best ideas will appear when you’re not actively trying to think of them — in the shower, during a drive, or just before falling asleep.
14. Select and Refine the Best Ideas
Now it’s time to choose. Rank your ideas based on:
- Originality
- Feasibility
- Cost
- Potential impact
Then refine the top contenders with sketches, flowcharts, or simple models. This is the bridge between ideation and innovation.
Where Ideas Take Flight
Brainstorming isn’t just about idea generation — it’s about curiosity, courage, and persistence. Every great inventor, from Edison to Oprah Winfrey (yes, she’s an inventor too — she patented her line of products), started with a single idea and the willingness to explore it fully.
Keep your notebook open, your curiosity alive, and remember: the next great invention might just begin with one “crazy” idea scribbled on a napkin.
“Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.” — Albert Szent-Györgyi
