Imaginibbles

Before a movie ever hits the big screen it is turned into something called “storyboards.” A storyboard is an easy way to visually depict shot by shot how a movie or commercial will flow. When you look at it you can see the connection from one frame to the next. If you look at the example I found online you can clearly see the sequence of shots and how it comes together to create a commercial. I used to review a lot of these in my ad days!

Storyboards have another wonderful use and that’s idea generation. Storyboard templates, also above for download, allow you to think visually as well as verbally. You will tap into more parts of your brain by drawing and writing out your ideas. It also helps your mind think in sequences from one idea to the next. In my example you can see how I went from my first image to the last. I wanted to think through how to do the Imaginibbles radio show I am about to launch and make sure I had come up with creative and engaging ways to keep the audience involved. I started by placing an image of a radio (old school) and a light bulb. Now, I know this is blog radio but I was looking for images that represented my ideas and for me those two did the job. I used each frame, or box, to think through the next step of the idea. In the first frame I have my idea. That led me to the obvious, me hosting the show. That took me to interviewing people which then took me to all the cool stuff I could do with those interviews. Eventually I landed at ending the show with something I call Imagination Station– specific 5-minute exercises audience members can do at home. I wouldn’t have gotten to that idea if I hadn’t started with my first frame.

Here is how to use your storyboards solo and in groups.

1) Solo Idea Generation: Begin with a drawing of the nugget of an idea. Then build from there. It’s important that you continue to draw out your ideas.

2) Group Storyboarding: If you are working on innovation whether it’s product development or marketing tap the divergent power of the team. Before the group meeting, place an image of the product, brand, challenge, etc in the first frame. Make as many copies as needed and pass it out to the team. Each person will be working off the same original frame. But, different minds think differently and what you will get back will be a range of ideas. Have each person present their full storyboard and then discuss. Presenting the full storyboard versus just the final idea will ultimately help the team understand the individual’s train of thought and may even generate new ideas.