Innovation

Mash-Ups

30-45mins
2-40 people

Mash-Ups and Analogous Inspiration share a common approach of isolating the specific quality needed for a solution. However, Mash-Ups are more of a mental exercise that involves asking bold and unconventional questions to accelerate the thinking process. For instance, when designing a healthy school lunch, one might ask, "What would a farmer's market cafeteria look like?" Similarly, to make financial services more social, one could ask, "How can we create a savings account that is like Facebook?" The key is to incorporate real-world examples of the desired quality into the design process.


Workshop steps

1

Begin by identifying the key attribute you want to incorporate into your solution, such as efficiency, speed, cleanliness, or glamour. This is the most challenging aspect of Mash-Ups. Jot it down on a Post-it note and stick it on the wall.

2

Once you've achieved the desired quality, think of practical examples of companies, brands, and services that represent that quality.

3

Next, incorporate your brand into your challenge and pose your Mash-Up question.

4

Begin with your Mash-Up question and imagine how it would appear in the context you're designing for. Jot down all your ideas on Post-its and display them on the wall.

Need help with this workshop?

Anna Lundqvist portrait
Anna Lundqvist
UX & AI ethics expert driving better products and smarter teams.
Eddy Salzmann portrait
Eddy Salzmann
Design lead crafting seamless products and mentoring design teams.