How to use “Idea Pop-up Cards”---Instruction Sheet---Firstly, set up the topic for brainstorming. Then, pass

There are 3 following ways (A,B,C) to play with theout all 40 cards to the members.

40 cards.

AMake itbalanced.

Make itvibrated.

Using the cards as a tool for creatingideas by yourself

When facing a technical problem to solve by

yourself, utilize these cards for deliberating multiple
Use copies

creative ideas.

Expand itwith heat.

of it.

We need to reinforce the structureof this part. But if we replace it witha stronger material, the component

Diagram 3: Pass out all the cards

becomes heavy. This is the problem...
I wonder if there’s any good idea.

Every member thinks of ideas inspired from theircards in hand. 3 minutes of time is given. Use a pen

Diagram 1: One example of technical problems

Go through the 40 cards one by one and try to findsolutions inspired by the messages and figures on thecards.

Spendabout

10

seconds

percard,approximately 7 minutes in total. If you hit on anand paper to write them down.
Then each member presents his/her ideas (up to 3ideas) within 1 minute by turns, showing the card toothers. It would be helpful to write out the ideas on awhiteboard.

idea from a certain card (a trigger card for ideas),
pause, and further expand the idea.
This card says, “Put it inside”

Put itinside.

but is it possible in my case?
Well let me image and think
about it.
Yes, it could be.
Oh! Maybe this might work...

Diagram 2: Go through the cards

If you may not be able to find any cards with a clue,
try again and pick 4 closest cards that could be linked
to solution. By leading your mind to figure out thesolution, you will be able to come up with new ideas.

Diagram 4: Presentation on ideas using a whiteboard

Other members should make a note on new ideas
if inspired by the presenter, and introduce thederivative ideas whenever at a convenient point
during his/her presentation. To vitalize the meeting,Bsuch new ideas should be shared at an early timing,
Using the cards as a tool for creatingideas in a group

Utilize these cards for deliberating multiple creativeideas when you need to solve the problem as a group.
Number of 2 to 8 members could join.

not necessarily following the turn.
Let all members make their presentation, andrestart the session when there is some time left.
Make sure to shuffle and pass out different cards tothe members.

C

Using the cards as a game for idea
producing in a group

Utilize these cards as a game for brainstorming in agroup. Number of 2 to 8 members could participate
in this game.
Firstly, set up the subject. A little challenging topic-- Message from the Creator --is suitable.
This Idea Pop-up Cards was formulated by two groups inJapan (IDEAPLANT and Miyagi TRIZ Study Group) as a card
We want a lawn mower that covers moretool for deliberating technological ideas, desired to introduce

area in one time, but smaller in size.

widely the TRIZ theory which has been proposed for

Now let’s work on a topic of developing ainnovative technology development.

new lawn mower meeting both conditions.
TRIZ is a “Theory of inventive problem solving” (inDiagram 5: Example of topics for idea producing

Russian writing: Teoriya Resheniya IzobretatelskikhZadatch), developed by Genrich Altshuller.

Pass out 5 Cards to each member. Place the rest of

The main element of TRIZ is the 40 tips forthe cards with message side down on the table.

technologicalbreakthrough,so-called

the“40principles”.

Toss a coin for turns, and play clockwise. When it isyour turn, pick up one of your cards, read it aloud,We have made free translation of the 40 tips forand try to think of a solution idea inspired by thetechnological breakthrough and formulated a card tool withcard.

40 different simple messages and figures on each cards.

If you can present an idea, the card isdiscarded.

These cards lead young engineers create ideas for problem
solution easily on the job site. The cards could also be

If you cannot come up with an idea at your turn,utilized as a card game for idea planning.

you lose and you are out of the game. The last
member remaining is the winner.

The numbers on each card (1–40) match the numbers of
the “40 principles”. If you hope to learn more about theIf there is more than one member remaining withbackground of the messages on the cards, look for books on

no more cards left in their hands, pick another 5

TRIZ that should be available in your native language, andcards from the pile with those members. After all therefer to the numbers stated in the “40 principles”. You could

cards are given out, the game ends in a draw.

be further inspired by the concept and content related toinnovation.

You do not need to stick to the practicability of theidea. Freely enjoy creative conversations throughI sincerely wish that many of you could enjoy creating ideas

playing the game.

easily using the TRIZ essence, and hopefully some of you
would furthermore study on TRIZ and find out a significant

Ideas even similar to already-presented ones areclue for innovation.

accepted. Consider small variations as new ideas.
There is no time limit, though, when the group

Rikie Ishii

members are used to brainstorming you may set aInnovation Supporting Tool Creator

rule of allotting “30 seconds per member”, which will

Representative of IDEAPLANT

add more game elements.

rikie.ishii@gmail.com