Crazy Eight
What is a Crazy Eight in User Research?
A Crazy Eight is a rapid ideation exercise used in user research and design thinking to generate a large number of ideas quickly. Participants sketch eight distinct ideas in eight minutes, typically on a folded piece of paper with eight sections.
Synonyms: 8-minute sketching, rapid ideation exercise, quick sketch ideation, design sprint technique
How Crazy Eights Work in User Research
Crazy Eights is a fast-paced brainstorming technique that encourages participants to think outside the box and generate multiple solutions to a problem. Here's how it typically works:
- Participants fold a piece of paper into eight sections.
- A timer is set for eight minutes.
- Everyone sketches one idea per section, spending about one minute on each.
- The focus is on quantity over quality, promoting rapid ideation.
Benefits of Using Crazy Eights
Implementing Crazy Eights in your user research process can offer several advantages:
- Encourages quick, divergent thinking
- Helps overcome creative blocks
- Generates a wide variety of ideas in a short time
- Promotes equal participation from all team members
- Serves as a springboard for further discussion and refinement
Examples of Crazy Eight Applications
Crazy Eights can be applied in various user research scenarios:
- Redesigning a mobile app interface
- Brainstorming new features for a product
- Solving user pain points identified during research
- Exploring different approaches to information architecture
Frequently Asked Questions
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Question 1: How many people should participate in a Crazy Eight session? Answer: Crazy Eights can be done individually or in groups. For team sessions, 3-8 participants usually work well.
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Question 2: What materials are needed for a Crazy Eight exercise? Answer: You'll need paper (preferably A4 size), pens or markers, and a timer.
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Question 3: Can Crazy Eights be done remotely? Answer: Yes, Crazy Eights can be adapted for remote teams using digital whiteboard tools or shared documents.
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Question 4: How do you follow up after a Crazy Eight session? Answer: After the session, review and discuss the ideas generated, then select the most promising ones for further development or testing.
