How to Use “Random Mandal-Art”
How to Use
This page explains how to use the web app "Random Mandal-Art".
In Random Mandal-Art, “Idea Features” are displayed around the outer edge of a 3×3 grid consisting of nine cells.
The "Idea Features" section randomly displays words extracted from frequently appearing features found in intellectual property rights such as patents and utility models.
The center cell remains unchanged so that you can focus on imagining the “Product / Service” you want to brainstorm ideas for.
When you press the "Generate Idea" button, the contents of the eight outer “Idea Features” cells are randomly replaced.
This function allows you to combine the “Product / Service” you want to develop with various randomly displayed features.
What Is Mandal-Art?
Mandal-Art is a simple brainstorming method that can be done easily with just paper and a pencil.
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First, create a 3×3 grid.
- Write your main theme in the center cell, then fill the surrounding eight cells with ideas associated with the theme.
- If you cannot come up with more ideas, select one of the eight surrounding themes that you want to explore further.
- Move the selected theme to the center and repeat the Mandal-Art process again.
In reality, the task of filling the surrounding eight cells with ideas can be surprisingly difficult. Even when no ideas come to mind, the method forces you to keep brainstorming, which can often take a considerable amount of time.
Advantages of Random Mandal-Art
Random Mandal-Art automatically displays idea features in the eight outer cells. This function greatly reduces the time normally required to forcibly come up with ideas for the outer cells, which is one of the weaknesses of the traditional Mandal-Art method.
Because the eight outer cells contain features unrelated to the central “Product / Service,” this method is technically different from the traditional Mandal-Art technique and can be considered an original brainstorming method developed by this website.
However, even if the eight outer features appear unrelated, do not stop thinking immediately. If you develop the habit of considering whether seemingly unrelated features could still lead to ideas, Random Mandal-Art becomes highly effective.
Random Mandal-Art can randomly display idea features from a database. Therefore, it can easily present combinations that are outside the boundaries of your normal thinking. In other words, it enables innovative ideas that you may not have been able to generate on your own.
WEB App “Random Mandal-Art” is available here.
Go to Random Mandal-Art