Crazy 8s
Eight quick ideas in eight minutes
- PhaseIdeate
- Group3 to 20 people
- Time15 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesBetter with a working team
What it is
Crazy 8s is a rapid sketching exercise. Each person folds a sheet into eight panels and sketches eight ideas in eight minutes, one minute per panel. The pressure of the clock pushes people past their first, obvious idea. It is widely used in design sprints.
When to use it
To get past first ideas fast. Each person works alone, so quieter voices are heard as much as louder ones.
When to skip it
When the group will not draw or write under time pressure, or when one polished idea is needed. Use a Structured Brainstorm.
How to run it
- 2 minFold a sheet into eight panels, or open the canvas.
- 8 minOne idea per panel, one minute each. Words or rough sketches are both fine.
- 5 minShare. Each person presents their best two ideas in thirty seconds.
About 15 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
Perfectionism. Sharing before everyone has finished. Eight versions of the same idea.
The AI lens
Make two of the eight panels ideas with no AI at all. The best answer may not need it.
What you leave with
Eight rough ideas from each person, and a shortlist of the best.
An example
Each participant sketches eight ways a new triage screen could show a case. By panel five the obvious design is out of the way and the stranger ideas, often the useful ones, appear.
How it compares
Crazy 8s is individual and fast. A Structured Brainstorm is collective and slower, and builds on others' ideas.
Related methods
Questions
What is Crazy 8s?
Crazy 8s is a rapid sketching exercise. Each person folds a sheet into eight panels and sketches eight ideas in eight minutes, one minute per panel. The pressure of the clock pushes people past their first, obvious idea. It is widely used in design sprints.
When should I use Crazy 8s?
To get past first ideas fast. Each person works alone, so quieter voices are heard as much as louder ones.
How long does Crazy 8s take and how many people do I need?
Crazy 8s takes about 15 minutes and suits 3 to 20 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Crazy 8s different from other methods?
Crazy 8s is individual and fast. A Structured Brainstorm is collective and slower, and builds on others' ideas.
Can I run Crazy 8s remotely or with executives?
Yes. Crazy 8s works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Better with a working team.