Creating New Metaphors

When to use Creating New Metaphors

Use this method when a team is stuck in familiar patterns of thought and needs to generate new ideas or reframe a complex problem. It's particularly useful for addressing societal or environmental challenges.

What it solves

Entrenched thinking, lack of creative ideas, inability to see problems from new angles.

How to run Creating New Metaphors, step by step

1. **Warming Up (10 mins):** Introduce the power of metaphors using examples from media and politics. Then, provide image and concept cards and ask participants to randomly combine them to create novel metaphors. Discuss the insights gained.
2. **Exploring Existing Metaphors (20 mins):** Introduce a specific issue and facilitate a group discussion to identify existing metaphors and framings used to describe it. Challenge participants to identify three existing metaphors and critically analyze their presuppositions and implications. Use a table to document.
3. **Mix & Match to Explore New Metaphors (20 mins):** Lay out a selection of image cards. Have each group compare and contrast the qualities of the images with the existing metaphors identified in Step 2. Select 1-2 image cards per person and discuss new metaphors that challenge problematic aspects of existing ones. Document in a table.
4. **Presenting (30 mins):** Have each group present their new metaphor and its potential application to the larger group. Encourage Q&A and feedback from other stakeholders to observe how the new thinking helps others understand the issue differently.
5. **Reflection (10 mins):** Facilitate a discussion on how the use of new metaphors impacts new modes of thinking and acting. Encourage participants to reflect on their learning process and the development of their metacognitive skills.

Materials needed

• Image cards
• Concept cards
• A3 Worksheets (or digital equivalent)
• Example tables (for documenting metaphors)
• Timer

Facilitator tips

• Encourage diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the discussion.
• Provide clear instructions and examples to help participants understand the process.
• Create a safe space for experimentation and encourage participants to take risks.

Common pitfalls

• Participants struggle to make connections between images and concepts: Provide more guidance and examples.
• Discussions become too abstract and disconnected from the real world: Ground the discussion by focusing on specific applications of the new metaphors.

Variations

• Use different sets of image and concept cards to explore different themes or topics.
• Incorporate physical objects or sensory experiences to stimulate creativity.
• Extend the presentation phase to allow for more in-depth exploration and feedback.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to display and manipulate image and concept cards. Facilitate discussions via video conferencing.

What it produces

A set of new metaphors with documented analysis of their implications and potential applications.

Origin

Based on work by Dan Lockton, Devika Singh, Saloni Sabnis, and Michelle Chou — source

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