Students select elements from existing solutions and combine them in new ways to create a unique and innovative solution.
The method inspires students to think creatively and apply elements from familiar solutions to develop new ideas, solutions, and perspectives.
Students explore existing solutions relevant to their challenge or project. This can include well-known companies, products, or concepts that address other or similar problems.
Students select key elements or ideas from the existing solutions that they find inspiring, effective, or interesting. These elements are noted or visualized, for example on post-its or on the worksheet Idea Hacking
Students experiment with combining the selected elements. They can ask themselves:
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How can we take the best parts from different solutions?
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Which elements can be improved or adapted to our needs?
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Can we modify the elements to create something new?
Based on their experiments, the students choose a combination they want to develop further.
Didactic tips
- Give students time to brainstorm using questions like:
“What could we improve in this solution?” or “How can we transfer this element to our own idea?” Use, for example, the Idea Hacking method. - Optionally, let students visualize their process, for instance by using the Idea Hacking method to show how they combined the elements.
- Introduce a limitation or framework, such as “combine three elements,” to make the task more focused and manageable.
- Optionally, combine with the Idea Hacking method to broaden students’ perspectives after they have hacked their solution.
- This method is used, among others, in activity XXX