How does it work?

Thinkit is inspired by cutting-edge thinking in creativity and communication. This includes the concept of Mind Maps® - a graphic technique for representing ideas using words, images, symbols and colour. In addition, Edward De Bono’s ideas of creative thinking techniques have influenced the toolkit, along with techniques from community planning.

Our aim is to make this cutting-edge thinking easy to use and accessible to everyone. We want to provide simple tools to help people bring their ideas to life; to make running a successful workshop much like ‘falling off a log’ – in other words, an easy thing to do.

Thinkit is simple to use. It works as follows:

  1. 1. Unpack the kit by opening up the shoulder-bag. Remove and unravel the felt workspace, lay it down and invite everyone to gather round. Next
  2. 2. Whilst a table is ideal for Thinkit, it can be used almost anywhere: in lecture theatres, on walls, wrapped around a column, outdoors, as part of displays, etc. Strong Velcro fastenings allow pieces of the toolkit to be moved around easily and displayed in different ways. Next
  3. 3. Write down the title or aim of your workshop on the centrepiece – then fix this to the centre of the workspace. For example, it could be ‘ideas to improve our street’ or perhaps ‘how to get our project fi nished on time!’ Next
  4. 4. Now think of some key issues, or ideas, or categories that relate to the purpose of your workshop. Write these down on the branches then fi x them to the workspace, placing them around the centre so that everyone can clearly see what’s being discussed. Next
  5. 5. Categories for the centrepiece and branches can be prepared in advance – for example, if you are running a series of workshops, or if you already know the main issues, like how to achieve the aims of a strategy. These can be written on the branches with an erasable pen, OR if you are running a big workshop, you can print them. Next
  6. 6. Thinkit works by allowing people to write their ideas on colour-coded leaves, using erasable markers. Leaves (containing ideas) are clustered around the branches, so that a picture of the group’s thinking is built up on the workspace. The leaves come in stuff sacks, organised in a handy carrying toolbelt, which can be worn or placed on the table. Next
  7. 7. The leaves, as well as other parts of the kit – such as the branches and centrepiece – are attached to the felt workspace using a Velcro backing, which is secured to the reverse of each part. This allows the leaves to be moved around easily during discussion – important for encouraging fl exible thinking. Next
  8. 8. Because the leaves are colour-coded, they can be used to help record and organise different types of information. For example: green leaves may be used for ‘new ideas’ and brown leaves for ‘existing assets’. Next
  9. 9. Each kit also contains other tools, like moveable icons, which can be used to raise and answer questions, prioritise information, highlight links and help make decisions. Next
  10. 10. Once the workshop is over – simply fold and roll up the workspace and pack it into the carrying bag; gather together the leaves and other tools, pack them back into the shoulder-bag and you’re all set Next
  11. 11. You now have a complete picture of the group’s discussion. It can be photographed and stored on a computer, or transcribed into a set of minutes or a database, or an action plan, or a vision for the future. Next
  12. 12. When you have fi nished with the ideas on the workspace, the leaves and branches can be easily removed from the felt and washed using standard tap water, ready for use again. Back to Step 1

Thinkit. Create it. See it. Share it.

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