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How to Have Great Ideas cover
Archivist's Choice

How to Have Great Ideas

John Ingledew (2016)

Genre

Reference

Reading Time

180 min

Key Themes

See below

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Unlock your inner design genius with 53 vivid, real-world strategies, from nature-inspired innovation to typewriter dresses, that transform creative blocks into groundbreaking visual solutions.

Core Idea

John Ingledew's "How to Have Great Ideas" argues that creativity is not an innate talent but a skill anyone can learn. The book presents a collection of practical strategies, from embracing chance and reframing problems to drawing inspiration from nature, constraints, and unrelated fields. Ingledew explains that by using these methods—such as connecting different concepts, making ideation into a game, breaking down existing ideas, and even intentionally 'misusing' objects or concepts—people can systematically generate innovative and impactful ideas, moving past conventional thinking to use their creative potential.
Reading time
180 min
Difficulty
Easy
✓ Read this if...
You're looking for a practical toolkit of actionable techniques to spark creativity and generate novel ideas, whether for personal projects, professional challenges, or artistic endeavors. It's ideal for anyone who feels stuck in a creative rut or wants to systematically improve their ideation process.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer deep theoretical dives into the psychology of creativity or are looking for a single, overarching philosophical framework for innovation. This book is a 'how-to' manual with diverse methods rather than a unified grand theory.

Core idea

The central argument and framework that powers the entire book.

John Ingledew's "How to Have Great Ideas" argues that creativity is not an innate talent but a skill anyone can learn. The book presents a collection of practical strategies, from embracing chance and reframing problems to drawing inspiration from nature, constraints, and unrelated fields. Ingledew explains that by using these methods—such as connecting different concepts, making ideation into a game, breaking down existing ideas, and even intentionally 'misusing' objects or concepts—people can systematically generate innovative and impactful ideas, moving past conventional thinking to use their creative potential.

At a glance

Reading time

180 min

Difficulty

Easy

Read this if...

You're looking for a practical toolkit of actionable techniques to spark creativity and generate novel ideas, whether for personal projects, professional challenges, or artistic endeavors. It's ideal for anyone who feels stuck in a creative rut or wants to systematically improve their ideation process.

Skip this if...

You prefer deep theoretical dives into the psychology of creativity or are looking for a single, overarching philosophical framework for innovation. This book is a 'how-to' manual with diverse methods rather than a unified grand theory.

Key Takeaways

1

Embrace the 'Happy Accident'

Serendipity is a powerful catalyst for innovation if you're open to it.

Quote

Many great ideas come from unexpected combinations or 'misuses' of existing things.

The book supports the idea that creativity is not always a linear process; often, good ideas come from 'happy accidents' or unexpected combinations. This strategy encourages a playful, experimental approach, where 'mistakes' or unintended outcomes are seen as potential starting points for something new. By combining different elements or using tools and materials in unconventional ways, one can find new solutions and styles that a more rigid process might miss. It is about creating an environment where chance can happen, and staying o...

Supporting evidence

The example of a designer dress crafted from an old typewriter illustrates this beautifully, transforming discarded machinery into high fashion through an unexpected material application.

Apply this

Actively seek out opportunities to 'misuse' tools or combine unrelated concepts in your work. During brainstorming, try a 'random word association' exercise where you link your problem to a completely arbitrary object or concept.

serendipitydivergent-thinkingplayful-experimentation
2

Change Your Vantage Point

Shifting your physical or mental environment can unlock fresh perspectives.

Quote

Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to look at it from an entirely different angle, or even in a completely different place.

Ingledew explains that our physical and mental environments influence our thinking. Stagnation often happens when we are in the same routines, spaces, and thought patterns. By intentionally changing the scenery—whether it is working from a park instead of an office, or actively seeking out diverse cultural experiences—we disrupt usual thinking. This external shift can cause internal shifts, making our brains make new connections and notice details previously overlooked. It is about breaking free from the mental ruts that stop creative...

Supporting evidence

The strategy of 'changing the scenery' is explicitly mentioned, suggesting that a simple environmental shift can be a powerful catalyst for new ideas.

Apply this

When stuck, take a walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood, visit a museum, or work from a different coffee shop. Mentally, try to explain your problem to a child or someone completely outside your field to gain a fresh, unburdened perspective.

perspective-shiftenvironmental-stimulicognitive-flexibility
3

Nature's Blueprint for Innovation

Biomimicry offers elegant, time-tested solutions to complex design challenges.

Quote

Nature has been solving design problems for billions of years; often, the most elegant solutions are already out there.

The natural world is a source of ingenious design, refined by evolution. Ingledew suggests looking to nature for inspiration, a concept known as biomimicry. By studying the forms, processes, and systems in ecosystems—from a bird's wing to the self-cleaning properties of a lotus leaf—designers can find sustainable, efficient, and appealing solutions. This approach goes beyond imitation; it is about understanding the basic principles and adapting them to human challenges, leading to designs that are more resilient and in harmony with th...

Supporting evidence

The book explicitly lists 'looking to nature for inspiration' as a key strategy, implying a focus on biomimicry.

Apply this

Before designing, research how similar problems are solved in nature. For example, if designing a new structural support, study bone structures or tree branches. If creating a new material, investigate natural self-cleaning surfaces.

biomimicrynatural-systemssustainable-design
4

The Power of Constraint

Limitations, rather than hindering creativity, can be its most potent fuel.

Quote

When you have too many options, it's hard to choose. When you have fewer, you're forced to be more inventive.

Boundless freedom can lead to creative paralysis. Ingledew notes that setting deliberate constraints can spark more innovative thinking. When resources, time, or parameters are limited, the mind is forced to work harder, seeking unconventional paths and optimizing within defined boundaries. This is not about arbitrary restrictions but about strategically narrowing the scope to allow for deeper, more focused problem-solving. Constraints can act as a creative crucible, making designers distill ideas to their essence and find clever work...

Supporting evidence

The strategy of 'challenging set boundaries' implicitly suggests that by defining and then pushing against limits, new ideas emerge.

Apply this

When starting a project, give yourself a seemingly arbitrary limitation: 'design this using only three colors,' or 'create a solution that fits in a shoebox.' This forces you to think more inventively within the given parameters.

design-constraintsscarcity-mindsetproblem-solving
5

Connect the Unconnected

Innovation often arises from synthesizing disparate ideas or systems.

Quote

Great ideas often come from combining two or more things that have never been combined before.

Ingledew emphasizes the power of synthesis: combining different concepts, systems, or objects to create something new. This approach goes beyond simple brainstorming by actively looking for 'hidden links' or forcing 'unusual combinations.' It challenges the designer to break free from conventional categories and explore the area between disciplines. By mixing ideas, one can find new functions, styles, or solutions that would not be apparent by focusing on a single area.

Supporting evidence

The book explicitly mentions 'combining unusual systems' and 'finding hidden links' as key strategies for generating ideas.

Apply this

Regularly expose yourself to diverse fields of knowledge. When facing a design challenge, list 5-10 unrelated objects or concepts and try to force a connection between each one and your problem. For example, 'how can a coffee machine inspire a new banking app?'

synthesiscross-pollinationlateral-thinking
6

Gamify Your Ideation

Improvisation and play can dismantle creative blocks and foster flow.

Quote

Treating the ideation process like a game can reduce pressure and open up new avenues of thought.

The pressure to 'be creative' can often be the biggest barrier to generating ideas. Ingledew suggests using improvisation techniques and playful approaches in the creative process. By adopting a mindset of play, designers can lower their inhibitions, experiment, and move past the fear of failure. Techniques like rapid prototyping, 'yes, and...' thinking from improv theater, or timed ideation games can turn a daunting task into an engaging challenge, helping ideas emerge more freely. It is about making the journey of ideation enjoyable...

Supporting evidence

The inclusion of 'improvisation techniques' as a strategy directly supports the idea of gamifying the ideation process.

Apply this

Before starting a serious design session, do a quick improv exercise with a colleague. Use timed 'sprint' sessions for brainstorming where quantity over quality is the rule, followed by a playful critique session.

playfulnessimprovisationcreative-flow
7

Deconstruct and Reconstruct

Dismantling established norms reveals hidden potential for reimagination.

Quote

To truly innovate, you sometimes have to take things apart – physically or conceptually – and then put them back together in a new way.

This strategy supports a critical and analytical approach to existing designs, brands, or systems. By breaking down something—understanding its components, functions, and underlying assumptions—one can identify its core and then imagine new ways to reassemble or reimagine it. This could involve breaking down a brand's visual language to its basic elements and then rebuilding it with a fresh perspective, or dissecting a product's functionality to discover overlooked possibilities. It is about challenging the 'how it's always been done'...

Supporting evidence

The example of 'reimagining famous brand logos' directly illustrates this strategy, where existing visual identities are broken down and reinterpreted.

Apply this

Choose a well-known product or brand and list all its attributes, functions, and associations. Then, try to negate or reverse each one. For example, 'what if a phone was designed to be silent?' or 'what if a luxury brand was affordable?'

deconstructionreimaginationcritical-analysis
8

Seek Inspiration in the Obscure

The most unexpected sources can yield the most original ideas.

Quote

Don't just look where everyone else is looking. The truly novel ideas often hide in plain sight, in the places nobody bothers to check.

Ingledew encourages designers to broaden their sources of inspiration beyond conventional ones. Instead of relying on industry trends or popular culture, this strategy suggests looking into niche hobbies, forgotten histories, scientific esoterica, or even everyday objects. The less obvious the source, the more likely the resulting idea will be unique and fresh. By having a curious and varied mind, one can draw unexpected connections and generate concepts that stand out, avoiding derivative thinking that often affects creative fields.

Supporting evidence

While not a direct quote, the overall ethos of the book, with its wide array of examples from 'ticket machines powered by recycled bottles in China' to 'mis-use of photocopiers,' supports drawing inspiration from diverse and often overlooked sources.

Apply this

Keep a 'curiosity journal' where you note down interesting facts, images, or stories from obscure sources. When starting a project, spend an hour researching a topic completely unrelated to your field (e.g., ancient weaving techniques, quantum physics, forgotten folklore) and then brainstorm connections.

eclectic-inspirationniche-researchoriginality
9

The Value of 'Misuse'

Subverting intended functions can reveal powerful, unforeseen applications.

Quote

Sometimes the most brilliant ideas come from using something in a way it was never designed for.

This strategy is about challenging the purpose of objects, tools, or processes. By deliberately 'misusing' something—applying it in an unintended context or for an unapproved function—designers can find new applications and unlock hidden potential. This often requires a playful, rebellious spirit that questions conventional wisdom and is not afraid to break rules. The history of innovation has many examples where a 'mistake' or a 'misapplication' led to a breakthrough. It is about seeing beyond the obvious and embracing the unexpected...

Supporting evidence

The specific example of 'mis-use of photocopiers' to create art or design effects directly illustrates this concept.

Apply this

Take a common household object and brainstorm 10 uses for it that are completely different from its intended purpose. Or, consider a design tool you use regularly and think about how you could deliberately 'break' or 'misuse' it to achieve a new effect.

repurposingunconventional-usecreative-subversion

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“Great ideas are not born in a vacuum; they are the children of curiosity and the willingness to explore the unknown.”

— Introduction, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in idea generation.

“The best ideas often come when you are not trying to have them—in the shower, on a walk, or just before sleep.”

— Discussing how relaxation and subconscious thinking foster creativity.

“To have great ideas, you must first give yourself permission to have bad ones.”

— Encouraging a non-judgmental approach to brainstorming and idea development.

“Look sideways at problems; the solution might be hiding in an unexpected place.”

— Advocating for lateral thinking and unconventional problem-solving.

“Creativity is not a talent; it is a way of operating.”

— Redefining creativity as a skill that can be practiced and developed.

“The most innovative ideas often arise from connecting seemingly unrelated concepts.”

— Highlighting the power of associative thinking in innovation.

“Don't wait for inspiration; create the conditions for it to find you.”

— Stressing the importance of proactive habits and environments for idea generation.

“Great ideas are like seeds; they need the right environment to grow.”

— Using a metaphor to describe nurturing ideas through supportive contexts.

“The fear of judgment is the biggest killer of creativity.”

— Addressing psychological barriers that inhibit creative expression.

“Ideas are not static; they evolve through collaboration and feedback.”

— Emphasizing the iterative nature of idea development with input from others.

“Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most powerful.”

— Reminding readers not to overlook straightforward solutions in pursuit of complexity.

“Your mind is a garden; tend to it with diverse experiences and it will yield rich ideas.”

— Using gardening as an analogy for cultivating a creative mindset through varied inputs.

“Break the rules, but first, you must know what they are.”

— Advising that understanding conventions is key to innovating beyond them.

“Great ideas often start as questions, not answers.”

— Promoting inquiry and open-ended thinking as foundations for creativity.

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It's a practical guide for students and professionals in design, advertising, and communications, offering 53 strategies to boost creative thinking. The book includes techniques like improvisation, changing environments, and drawing inspiration from nature, illustrated with real-world examples.

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