Dave Anderson - Imagineering

Here are some notes from the second session led by Dave Anderson (see previous entry on Why Man Creates).

Imagineering is a term that describes the brainstorming process developed by designers at Walt Disney. Dave Anderson is a trainer for the Imagineering process, so it was a real privelege to have him at our conference and teach this session.

During this session we learned about the Imagineering process and even took time to practice Imagineering within our Guild groups later that day. If I failed to mention this before, we were divided into Guild groups throughout the conference, so that we could meet and talk with others in our artistic field. While I was the only Interior Designer represented (I think...there were around 60 people at the conference), my skill set fell most in line with Fine Arts, so I joined the Fine Arts Guild (that sounds so fancy!!).

Part of the Imagineering process is to follow the 7 Rules of Creative Engagement. The goal is to get as many ideas as you can and then narrow them all down to the best. Here is a list of the 7 Rules, with basic descriptions:

Rule 1 - Thinking Distinctively
Brainstorm from creative to critical thinking

Rule 2 - Yes, and...
Create as many ideas as possible
"Plussing" - add on to other ideas
Two kinds of people: those who talk and those who think then talk - try to balance to two, talk less and talk more

Rule 3 - No Blocking
Don't evaluate or criticize any ideas...encourage people to continue thinking and talking
No "We can't do that, it's too expensive" or "That will never work" or "That's impossible"
"Piggy Back" onto other's ideas...even if the idea is impossible

Rule 4 - Get More Ideas
Use sticky notes, so that you can move your ideas around
Keep adding to what you've already done

Rule 5 - Cluster All Ideas
Move notes into similar groupings

Rule 6 - Really Wild Ideas
Absolutely no limit, the more embarassing and expensive, the better!
Think outside the box, really outside!

Rule 7 - Critical Thinking
Narrow down to the ideas: good, better, best

Bonus Round - "Five Sensing"
Look + Smell + Taste + Sound + Feel
Utilize both the tactual and the emotional

Quotes to remember:

"If you're Imago Dei, then every day is a new creation" - Craig Wilson, former Imagineer
(Imago Dei means "Image of God")

"No one can intimidate you without your permission" - Eleanor Roosevelt