Whether it's an advertising copywriter struggling to nail that one perfect headline or a software developer searching for the next killer ap, there can be a method to the madness of creation. Like a jazz musician or an improvisational comic, this technique allows you to build off of ideas or themes and spin them into completely new directions. One thought leads to three. Those new three each lead to another three. And so on and so on. The trick is to not stop too soon. There will be time to edit, rationalize, and flesh out later.

• Your teacher will introduce a brand and note the objective at hand.
• Working in pairs or small tams, grab a stack of Post-it notes.
• Jot one idea down per Post-it note. Time is limited. You've got 15 minutes to post as many ideas as possible. Unlimit your thoughts.
• Review your Post-its and cluster them by concept. Pick your top ideas, using them as jumping-off points, and repeat.
• Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
• One you've got three or four killer ideas, see which ones have legs using the same Post-it note technique to extend each idea.
• Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Adapted from an exercise shared by Jeff Ericksen, Founder and Instructor, Ms. Coffmansen's Portfolio Finishing School.