Crazy 8s
Crazy 8s is a rapid sketching exercise where every person in the room folds a sheet of paper into eight panels and then sketches one idea per panel, spending just one minute on each. The tight time constraint forces people past their safe first idea and into more creative territory. Nobody is judged on drawing ability. Stick figures and boxes with labels are fine.
✓ Created by former KPMG & McKinsey consultants
What You'll Achieve with the Crazy 8s Workshop
Real outcomes that transform your team
Generate a wide array of creative ideas in a short time frame.
Encourage participation from all team members, including quieter voices.
Surface innovative solutions that may not emerge in traditional discussions.
When to Use the Crazy 8s Workshop
Perfect for these situations and team challenges
When a team is stuck on a single direction and needs a high volume of ideas quickly.
During a design sprint to explore multiple solutions before converging.
How the Crazy 8s Workshop Works
A step-by-step breakdown of the workshop process
1Setup
Prepare the room and materials, write the challenge question, and ensure participants understand the sketching format.
2Step 1: Frame the Challenge
Clarify the design challenge and alleviate drawing anxiety, ensuring everyone knows they will sketch eight ideas in eight minutes.
3Step 2: Sketch
Participants sketch eight different ideas, spending one minute per panel under time constraints to promote quick thinking and creativity.
4Step 3: Share
Each participant presents their sketches, sharing their ideas without critique to ensure all concepts are visible and discussed.
Key Topics Covered in the Crazy 8s Workshop
Ready to run workshops that create real change?
Two ways to get started:
Choose the path that works best for you
Do it Yourself
Perfect for facilitators, leaders and managers
- Instant access to sample frameworks