{"id":11298,"date":"2016-12-20T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2016-12-20T09:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hatrabbits.com\/?p=11298"},"modified":"2023-11-21T14:36:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T13:36:32","slug":"random-combination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hatrabbits.com\/en\/random-combination\/","title":{"rendered":"The Random Combination"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today I\u2019m going to share a simple technique with you. A thinking technique I use all the time; The Random Combination. I developed it years ago, and I\u2019ve used it for all sorts of challenges. In the past, I\u2019ve used it to generate creative ideas for photo shoots. These days, I use it to come up with anything from blog ideas, new additions to a workshop or think tank, or simply a creative gift idea. Whenever I need truly original ideas, this is my go-to technique. It\u2019s a sure way to generate lots of ideas, FAST.<\/em><\/p>\n

The technique can be used in lots of different situations. It is certainly useful for new product development, or for the generation of (advertising) campaign ideas, but it is particularly useful as an easy way of training your creative mind.<\/p>\n

The Random Combination is a variation of the \u2018random input\u2019 technique. If you\u2019re unfamiliar with this technique, check out an earlier article we published on this: \u2018How a monkey can help you find your best idea<\/a><\/span>\u2019<\/p>\n

How it works<\/h4>\n

The Random Combination technique is very simple. All it requires is a pen and (a few pieces of) paper.<\/p>\n

Step 1. Preparation<\/strong>
\nGrab a piece of paper and make two columns. Start writing random objects down, so you\u2019ll end up with two aligning lists of words. Write each new word down without looking at the other words on the paper.<\/p>\n

Personally, I like to make these lists while watching a show or (even better) a commercial break. Each time I hear or see an interesting object, I write it down. A commercial featuring a lion? Write down \u2018lion\u2019. Commercial on a new type of spaghetti sauce? Write down \u2018spaghetti\u2019. A short trailer for a new action film? \u2018Helicopter\u2019 could be the word you write down.<\/p>\n

Other great sources of inspiration for your word-list are magazines, a well-filled book shelf or your Twitter stream.<\/p>\n

You can make these lists in advance so that whenever you are faced with a challenge that requires creative ideas, you can grab a random word list and get started. I have dozens of these lists with random word combinations lying around at home. It takes almost no time to compile these lists and they come in handy more often than you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n

Eventually, you\u2019ll end up with pairs of words that are seemingly unrelated. For instance, on one of the pieces of paper that are lying on my desk right now, there are odd combinations like refugee-toffee<\/em>, coffee machine-DVD<\/em>, winter coat-clothespin<\/em> and milk-mammoth<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Random

These simple word-lists are at the core of the Random Combination technique<\/p><\/div>\n

Step 2. Use when needed<\/strong>
\nNow that you have a list of random words, you can apply the Random Combination technique to whatever challenge you face. Combine the words that are written next to each other and force yourself to generate an idea that fits the combination. There is no right or wrong. Just see what you can come up with.<\/p>\n

For instance, imagine you are a struggling manufacturer of office supplies. You\u2019d love some ideas for creative promotional gifts, so people at least notice you. Take a few moments. What could the following random combinations lead to?<\/p>\n