Generate big ideas when every minute counts.
In the fast-paced world of advertising and creative industries, generating big ideas under tight deadlines isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity. As teams face increasing pressure to innovate quickly, fostering an environment where creativity thrives under time constraints becomes crucial. So, how can creative professionals produce groundbreaking ideas when the clock is ticking? Let’s explore the concepts of “Build Storming” and “Speed Thinking” as dynamic approaches to spark creativity and efficiency.

Embracing the “Build”storm
At the core of our agency’s creative process is a unique method known as “Build Storming.” Unlike traditional brainstorming that demands spontaneous idea generation, Build Storming involves a more reflective and inclusive approach. This method is especially effective for those who thrive in a less spontaneous environment, including introverts or those who simply prefer more time to develop their thoughts. Here’s how it works:
The Buildstorm Process
- Inspiration and Preparation:
A few days before the actual meeting, the team is given a set of inspirations and thought-starters related to the project. This could be anything from creative briefs, market trends, visual stimuli, or competitor analysis. - Individual Reflection:
Team members spend a day or two independently digesting the information and developing their ideas. This period allows everyone, regardless of their style of creativity, to prepare thoroughly and bring well-thought-out ideas to the table. - Collaborative Session:
The team then regroups to share their ideas in a structured manner. Each member presents their concepts, and the group collaboratively builds upon them. This ensures that every voice is heard and that ideas are refined and expanded collectively.
Benefits of Build Storming
Encourages Depth and Reflection: By allowing time for reflection, team members can develop more detailed and innovative solutions.
Inclusive to All Personality Types: This method levels the playing field for those who may not excel in the high-pressure setting of traditional brainstorming.
Enhances Idea Quality: The collaborative phase helps polish and improve ideas, leading to higher quality and more actionable solutions.
Speed Thinking exercises
To maximize the effectiveness of a Build Storm, individuals can engage in specific Speed Thinking exercises that stimulate creativity and prepare them for collaborative sessions. Here are some techniques to consider:
- Idea Journals
Encourage team members to keep an “idea journal” during the reflection phase. Jotting down thoughts as they come, without filtering or overthinking, can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. In a pinch, collect and gather ideas and inspiration onto a mood board. Scroll through social channels with a purpose – screen grab, jot down notes, sparks of ideas to build on later.
- Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a powerful tool for visual thinkers. It allows the individual to visually organize information, making connections between concepts more apparent and stimulating new ideas. Jot down ideas in lists, them make connections between ideas to uncover new ideas.
- Solo Ideation Walks
Sometimes, a change of scenery can spark inspiration. A solo walk, ideally in a stimulating environment, can help clear the mind and generate fresh ideas away from the usual workspace distractions. Walk through a grocery store, an electronics or fashion retailer. Notice how customers are interacting with products and signage, what ideas come from seeing human behavior.
The Takeaway
In the realm of creative work, combining quick-thinking techniques with the reflective, inclusive process of Build Storming, creative teams can foster a culture that values spontaneity, collaboration, and thoughtful reflection. This dual approach not only produces big ideas faster but also creates a more dynamic, innovative, and enjoyable work environment.
So, whether you’re quickly sketching out ideas or building them up over days, the goal remains the same: to unlock the creative potential within each team member and turn the pressure of deadlines into an opportunity for growth and innovation.
Content Authenticity Statement
100% of this written content was generated by a human, me, the author, with a catch. AI helped with the ideation (ChatGPT), grammar & proofreading (Grammarly). The final edit is my point of view. If you’re interested on how it was made, reach out and I would be happy to walk you through my process. Images created with AI (MidJourney).