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Method

Crazy 8s

Fold a sheet into eight panels and draw a variation of an idea in each one, at one minute per sketch.

Origin
Knapp, Zeratsky and Kowitz (2016), in the design sprint
Output
Eight sketched variations of an idea

What it’s for

It forces you to move from the first idea to seven more, with no time to polish any.

Key elements

  • Fast

    One minute per sketch: no time for details.

  • Variations

    Eight different ways to solve the same thing.

  • Ugly is fine

    The idea matters, not the drawing.

How it’s done

  1. Fold the sheet into eight panels.

  2. Sketch one variation per minute.

  3. Choose the best one to develop.

Applications in design

  • When to use it

    When you already understand the problem and have a first idea.

  • Avoid

    Spending the time drawing well.

  • Don’t fall for it

    If the eight sketches look alike, change something important in each one.

Authors and works

  1. 2016

    Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky and Braden Kowitz

    Included it in the design sprint, to explore variations before sketching the solution.

Sources

Original sources

  • Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J., & Kowitz, B. (2016). Sprint: How to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days. Simon & Schuster.

Last reviewed: