Ideation workflow. Use when you want to explore ideas, think through concepts, or plan before building. Conversation mode, not execution mode.
Think out loud. Explore ideas. Plan before building.
Before ideating, establish:
| Dimension | Spectrum |
|---|---|
| Scope | Narrow/focused ←→ Wide/exploratory |
| Constraints | Many limits ←→ Blue sky thinking |
| Fidelity | Abstract concepts ←→ Concrete details |
| Direction | Single path ←→ Multiple options |
| Timeframe | Quick decision ←→ Long-term vision |
| If Context Is... | Then Consider... |
|---|---|
| New product + wide scope | Explosion pattern, many directions, no filtering early |
| Feature decision + time-constrained | Quick options with trade-offs, decide in session |
| Design direction + aesthetic focus | Visual references, mood exploration, constraint flips |
| Pivot exploration + uncertainty | Competitor flip pattern, user journey walkthrough |
| MVP scoping + deadline pressure | Viral question pattern, core action identification |
Brainstorm mode = CONVERSATION, not EXECUTION
"Let's brainstorm X" = Explore with me, don't build yet
Say any of these:
| Normal Mode | Brainstorm Mode |
|---|---|
| Execute immediately | Explore options |
| Give one answer | Give multiple possibilities |
| Be concise | Be expansive |
| Build code | Discuss concepts |
| Decide | Present trade-offs |
Start with core idea, expand in all directions:
Core: "I want to build a fitness app"
↓
User types: Beginners? Athletes? Elderly? Busy professionals?
↓
Features: Workouts? Tracking? Social? AI coach? Challenges?
↓
Differentiator: What makes this not just another fitness app?
↓
Vibe: Intense? Calm? Gamified? Minimal?
Add limitations to spark creativity:
"What if we only had one screen?"
"What if there were no buttons?"
"What if it had to work offline?"
"What if it was voice-only?"
"What if it had to load in 1 second?"
Take what exists, flip it:
"Spotify but for [X]"
"Uber but the user is [Y]"
"Instagram but everything is [Z]"
"What's the opposite of how [competitor] does it?"
Walk through the experience:
"Someone hears about this app. Then what?"
"They open it for the first time. What do they see?"
"They use it daily. What keeps them coming back?"
"They tell a friend. What do they say?"
For things that need to spread:
"What's the screenshot moment?"
"What makes someone share this?"
"What's the 'holy shit' reaction?"
"What's so good they have to tell someone?"
## What is it?
[One sentence]
## Who is it for?
[Specific person, not "everyone"]
## What problem does it solve?
[Their pain point]
## Why would they switch from current solution?
[Your advantage]
## What's the first thing they'd do in the app?
[Core action]
## What makes this shareable?
[Viral hook]
## Feature idea
[What it does]
## Why users want it
[Their motivation]
## Ways to implement it
1. [Option A] - [trade-off]
2. [Option B] - [trade-off]
3. [Option C] - [trade-off]
## Recommendation
[Which option and why]
## Vibe/Feeling
[Words that describe the energy]
## Reference sites/apps
[Links or names]
## Colors
[Palette ideas]
## Typography feel
[Modern? Classic? Playful? Serious?]
## Motion/Animation
[Subtle? Dramatic? Playful?]
## First impression goal
[What should users feel in 3 seconds?]
When ready to move forward:
"I like direction [X]. Let's build that."
"Let's go with [specific choice]. Start with [first step]."
"Brainstorm done. Execute on [summary]."
This switches back to execution mode.
At the end of a brainstorm, summarize:
## Brainstorm Summary: [Topic]
### Key Decisions
- [Decision 1]
- [Decision 2]
### Direction Chosen
[What we're going with]
### Open Questions
- [Still need to figure out]
### Next Step
[First thing to build/do]