Random Cards

For Better Design Thinking Ideation

Developed by Creativeans and used across C-Academy programmes, Random Cards help learners move beyond “first ideas” into deeper, more original thinking. By combining image-based and word-based prompts, students can ideate more inclusively, as our Random Cards supports different thinking styles while keeping the process structured and purposeful.

Break creative blocks, fast

What is Random Cards?

When doing design thinking or ideating, getting started can often be the hardest part. To overcome creative blocks and spark fresh ideas, we developed the Random Image/Word Playing Cards to help you overcome creative blocks and generate new ideas. This innovative tool stimulates imagination and offers a structured yet flexible approach to brainstorming, making idea generation more effective and engaging.

Random Cards is highly effective for:

Warm-ups before ideation

Group brainstorming when ideas plateau

Helping quieter learners contribute quickly

Turning abstract themes into concrete directions

Random prompts encourage learners to make new connections and explore unexpected angles. Visual cards nudge lateral thinking and association, while word cards provide clearer language-based prompts for structured ideation, making this tool effective for mixed learner profiles.

What’s inside

Random Image Cards

Visual stimuli play a significant role in sparking creativity. The Random Image cards feature a diverse range of visuals that encourage lateral thinking and association. When presented with an abstract or unexpected image, the brain is naturally inclined to seek meaning, identify connections, and form patterns.This process fosters unique idea generation and is particularly beneficial for individuals who rely more on their right brain, which is associated with intuition, imagination, and artistic abilities.

By utilising image-based stimuli, creatives can explore new perspectives and unexpected solutions. These cards help students to unlock their cognitive potential by encouraging them to approach challenges from different angles.

Random Word Cards

For those who resonate more with left-brain thinking, which is linked to logic, language, and analytical reasoning, the Random Word cards serve as a powerful tool. Words provide a structured means of approaching ideation, offering concrete prompts that stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

By incorporating both words and images within the same deck, the tool accommodates different cognitive styles, ensuring that every learner finds a method that best suits their creative process. This dual-stimulus approach enhances the ideation process, making it more inclusive and dynamic for the students.

Blank Card

Creativity is limitless, and sometimes, an idea emerges independently of external prompts. The blank card allows users to record their thoughts freely and introduce their own stimuli into the session.

"What's Next?" Card

Ideation does not end with the generation of an idea. It is equally important to determine the next steps. This card encourages learners to think critically about the execution and feasibility of their concepts, ensuring ideas transition from brainstorming to actionable solutions.

How To Use

Step 1

Decide whether to play with images or words, depending on your preference.

Step 2

Shuffle the deck thoroughly and place it face down.

Step 3

Draw a random card from the deck.

Step 4

Use the card’s image or word as inspiration to generate creative ideas.

Tip

For an added challenge, combine both images and words to generate even more unique ideas.

Watch How to Use It

Bring Random Cards into your school or organisation

Use Random Cards as a standalone ideation toolkit, or integrate it into an EDIT Design Thinking^® programme for more creative learning and stronger outcomes.

Get Random Cards