Mash-Up Innovation

When to use Mash-Up Innovation

Use this method when you need to generate a large number of innovative ideas quickly, especially when facing a creative block or exploring new possibilities.

What it solves

Lack of creative ideas, Stale brainstorming sessions, Difficulty thinking outside the box

How to run Mash-Up Innovation, step by step

1. Individual Brainstorming (10 minutes): Ask participants to individually brainstorm ideas in different categories (e.g., technologies, human needs, existing services), writing one idea per sticky note.
2. Category Clustering (5 minutes): Have participants post their sticky notes on a wall or virtual board, creating clusters for each category.
3. Small Group Mash-Ups (15 minutes): Divide participants into small groups (3-5 people). Each group selects elements from different categories and combines them to create new concepts, giving each concept a catchy name and brief description.
4. Presentation (15 minutes): Each group presents their mash-up concepts to the larger group.
5. (Optional) Development (30 minutes): Have teams choose their favorite mash-up and develop it further, exploring functionality and business model.

Materials needed

• Sticky notes
• Pens
• Whiteboard or virtual whiteboard (Miro, Mural)
• Timer
• A4 paper or digital document for capturing mash-up concepts

Facilitator tips

• Adapt the brainstorming categories to suit the specific context of the workshop.
• Play upbeat music during the mash-up phase to encourage energy and fast-paced thinking.
• Emphasize the volume of ideas generated, not necessarily the quality, during the initial mash-up phase.

Common pitfalls

• Participants struggling to make connections between disparate elements: Provide examples and encourage them to think laterally.
• Groups getting stuck on one idea: Remind them of the time limit and encourage them to generate as many ideas as possible.

Variations

• Use a random word generator to provide elements for the mash-up.
• Have participants vote on their favorite mash-up concepts after the presentations.
• Integrate this method into a longer design thinking process.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a virtual whiteboard like Miro or Mural to capture brainstormed ideas and mash-up concepts. Facilitate breakout rooms for smaller group collaboration.

What it produces

A collection of 'mash-up' concepts, each with a catchy name and a description of the combined elements.

Origin

Based on work by Hyper Island — source

Build a session around Mash-Up Innovation

METODIC places Mash-Up Innovation inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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