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Creative Tool: Idea Mutation

It's mutating out of control!  

Here is another wild method of improving the creativity of ideas through the process of introducing random 'mutations'.  I call it Idea Mutation.

Method:
  • Start with an idea.  Add it to a circle on the far left side of a piece of paper.  That is round 1.
  • Make two branches off the first idea.  Each branch has a new circle.  That is round 2.
  • For each branch, roll a 10-sided dice and select the 'mutation' from the table below.
  • For each branch, create a 'mutated' idea incorporating that branch's mutation.
  • Continue branching and mutation ideas for subsequent rounds (3, 4, etc.).
Modifications:
  • Include different mutations (ex. Add Thrill, More Collaborative, Clearer, etc.)
  • Add null mutation (no changes for certain branches)
  • Change probability of mutations (same mutation for more than one number)
Examples:





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