"From Fragmented Ideas to Masterpiece Concepts: The Power of Exquisite Corpse"

Developing design ideas can be both a creative and enjoyable process, especially when it comes to engaging students.

Using the "Exquisite Corpse" technique to develop design ideas can be a fun and innovative approach to brainstorming and generating creative concepts in a Design classroom. Here's how you can adapt the Exquisite Corpse method for this purpose:

Materials Needed:

• Blank sheets of paper or digital design software, depending on your classroom setup.
• Markers, pens, or digital drawing tools if working on paper.
• Teams of students (typically in groups of three or more).

Steps to Develop Design Ideas with Exquisite Corpse:

1. Define the Design Challenge: Start by presenting a clear design challenge or problem statement to your students. Ensure that the challenge is open-ended and allows for a wide range of interpretations. For example, it could be related to product design, architecture, graphic design, or any other design discipline you're teaching.
2. Team Formation: Divide your class into teams, each consisting of three or more students. It's important to have diversity within each team, including students with different skill levels, perspectives, and design backgrounds.
3. Setting Up the Exquisite Corpse Process:Explain the Exquisite Corpse process to your students. Emphasize that this activity will involve collaborative idea generation.Each team starts with a blank sheet of paper (physical or digital) or an empty design canvas.Set a time limit for each phase of the activity, depending on the complexity of the design challenge. For example, you could have 10-15 minutes for each phase.
4. Round 1: Concept and Sketch (Head):In the first round, the first student begins by sketching the initial concept or idea for the design challenge. They should focus on one part or aspect of the design, depending on the challenge.
5. Round 2: Development (Body):After the designated time, the paper or canvas is folded or concealed to hide the first student's work, leaving only a small part visible as an overlap.The second student continues from the visible part, expanding and developing the design idea. They should add their own interpretation or elaboration.
6. Round 3: Refinement (Legs):Once again, the paper or canvas is folded or concealed to hide the previous work, except for a small overlap.The third student takes over and focuses on refining and completing the design. They should add details, polish, and ensure coherence.
7. Final Reveal and Discussion:After the third round, unfold or reveal the entire design idea created collaboratively by the team.Have each team present their design to the class, explaining the thought process behind their creation.Encourage a class discussion about the creative ideas generated, the challenges faced during the process, and the unexpected and innovative aspects of the designs.

Benefits of Using Exquisite Corpse for Idea Development:

• Diverse Perspectives: Each team member adds their unique perspective and skills to the design, resulting in a more diverse and innovative idea.
• Creative Constraints: The concealed sections create creative constraints that challenge students to adapt and build upon what's been done, fostering creativity.
• Collaboration: It promotes collaboration and teamwork as students rely on each other's contributions to create a coherent design.
• Quick Iteration: The time-limited rounds encourage quick thinking and iteration, helping students generate multiple ideas.

This Exquisite Corpse-based approach to idea development not only sparks creativity but also reinforces collaboration and adaptability, essential skills for designers in various fields.