The lotus blossom method is a creativity exercise. It is a framework for idea generation, starting from one central theme. Eight conceptual themes flow out from the main theme and each of them are used as central theme to generate 8 more themes. Explore!
1. Draw a square in the middle of your paper and write down the central theme in it.
2. Think of 8 related ideas and write them around the square using a new square for each.
3. Take each of the 8 previous themes and create 8 new themes around it. Write them in new squares.
4. Blossom as far as you think is relevant.
WHEN
When there is a need to generate a big number of ideas quickly.
WHY
Using the first 8 ideas as basis can help to expand these ideas further.
NOTE!
Be free in thinking, don’t restrict yourself to anything.
OUTPUT
A map of different ways to explore an idea.
Next
Filter the ideas to see which ones are useful.
Reference
Michalko, Michael. "Thinkpak: A Brainstorming Card Deck" CA: Ten Speed Press, pg 2 (1994): 384./ VANGUNDY, Arthur B. 101 activities for teaching creativity and problem solving. John Wiley & Sons, 2008./