Alone or in a group, use Creative Collages to create a metaphorical collage from magazine clippings and such. The combination of illustrations creates mental images that stimulate creativity and lead the group to new ideas in the discussion.
When two unrelated images collide in a collage, our imagination transforms them into a shared, new reality that is higher (transcended) than the two individual images. The collage is more meaningful than the source material and may represent something entirely different.
Cut out pictures from magazines, newspapers, advertising brochures and catalogs and play around with the individual images. Move them around and allow patterns to emerge. Do not force anything! Associate as you play and move and continue to do so until the picture feels complete. Make a large metaphorical collage that tells a cohesive story. Think in analogies.
In a group, this technique works very well and is usually great fun for the participants. It releases forces in the visual, emotional regions of the brain and grants participants a new perspective on the challenge.
Creative Collages is related to the Sand Tray technique and can be found in Michael Michalko’s book “thinkertoys” in the chapter “Raw Creativity”.
