The cause we aimed to enable through our workshop was to foster creativity and innovation in problem solving, particularly within the design field. The challenges we are addressing revolve around the difficulties individuals often encounter when approaching problems from a unique perspective or generating new, innovative solutions. These difficulties can stem from a variety of factors, such as a lack of creative confidence, fear of failure, or the inability to view problems from different angles.

One of the primary reasons we chose to address this cause is because of its widespread relevance and impact. Creativity and innovation are crucial within the design field and in various sectors and industries. Thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions is a valuable skill that can drive success and progress.

Additionally, we believe that everyone has the capacity to be creative and innovative, but often, these abilities can be stifled by restrictive thinking patterns or environments. Therefore ,by providing a workshop that encourages creative thinking and offers tools and methods to facilitate innovation, we can help individuals unlock their creative potential and equip them with the skills to tackle challenges in a unique and effective manner.

Our workshop’s primary objectives and aims centred around promoting creative thinking, encouraging innovative problem-solving, and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the design process. We crafted these objectives with the understanding that creativity and innovation are crucial skills in a myriad of fields, not just design.

Promote creative thinking: The workshop was designed to encourage participants to think outside the box and approach problems from unique perspectives.Through the Waffle Methodology, we aimed to challenge participants to move beyond traditional thinking patterns and stimulate their creative potential.

Encourage innovative problem-solving:The workshop aimed to help participants develop their problem-solving abilities, with an emphasis on innovation. We believe that by equipping individuals with the tools and methods to generate and evaluate ideas effectively, we can empower them to create innovative solutions to the challenges they encounter.

Foster a deeper understanding of the design process: We aimed to provide participants with a practical understanding of the design process through role-playing exercises, discussions, and hands-on activities. The goal was not just to familiarise participants with the steps involved in design thinking but to enable them to appreciate the value of each step and understand how they contribute to the overall process.

Build a supportive and collaborative learning environment: We understand that creativity and innovation thrive in supportive and collaborative environments. As such, we aimed to create a workshop atmosphere that encourages sharing, discussion, and feedback.

Facilitate the application of learned skills: Ultimately, the aim was for participants to be able to apply the skills and knowledge they gained from the workshop to real-world situations. By creating a practical, hands-on learning experience, we hoped to equip participants with the confidence to implement their creative and innovative problem-solving skills in various contexts.

We made sure that the design of our workshop and the activities included aligned with these objectives, ensuring a coherent and effective learning experience for our participants.

Our workshop used the Waffle Methodology to address these challenges. This methodology encourages individuals to view problems from different perspectives (Dreamer, Realist, Critic, and Executor), thereby promoting diverse thinking and creative problem-solving. The activities and discussions within the workshop were designed to engage participants, promote creativity, and foster a deep understanding of the design thinking process. This way, we aimed to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to approach problems creatively and generate innovative solutions.

This methodology was created and used for its unique way of breaking down the creative process into distinct roles, enabling a thorough and well-rounded exploration of ideas. The method promotes creative thinking, realistic evaluation, critical analysis, and execution.

Dreamer Phase: In this phase, we en-courage participants to let their imaginations run wild, generating as many ideas as possible without constraints or judgment. This is where the waffling begins making something that doesn’t initially make sense and trying to make it sound like it has precedent. This phase is all about ideation and the creation of a pool of diverse possibilities.

Realist Phase: As we shift to the realist phase, participants are asked to refine their ideas, trimming the waffle into a more coherent form. This phase involves choosing elements from the pool of ideas that have potential and can realistically be implemented. It is about grounding the dreamer’s ideas into the realm of possibility.

Critic Phase: During the critique phase, participants analyse their ideas critically, identifying potential flaws, weaknesses, or areas that could be improved. Like art critics picking at the Mona Lisa, this phase is about finding room for improvement and development.

Executor Phase: The final phase is where we begin acting on our devised plans. After dreaming, refining, and criticising, it’s time to bring the ideas to life.

‍TOOLS AND MATERIALS USEDIN THE WAFFLE WORKSHOP:

TV and Speakers: The workshop utilised a TV and speakers to support visual presentations and create an engaging learning environment.

Album or Background Music: A carefully curated playlist or album was played in the background throughout the workshop.

Cardboard: Participants were provided card-board sheets as a versatile material for prototyping and creating physical representations of their ideas.

Paper: Various writing, including plain sheets and sticky notes, were provided to the participants.

Play Dough: As a tactile material, play dough was used to encourage hands-on exploration and modelling.

Craft Tools: Various craft tools like scissors, glue, tape, markers, and coloured pencils were available for participants to refine their prototypes and add finer details.

Miscellaneous Materials: Random materials such as scraps and sticks.

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:

Hat Creation: As an icebreaker, participants were given a piece of paper and instructed to create four hats, each representing one of the four roles in the Waffle Methodology: Dreamer,Realist, Critic, and Executor. Participants could use their imagination and artistic skills to design unique hats that symbolise the characteristics and responsibilities of each role.

‍WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES:

The Waffle Method Overview: An introduction to the Waffle Methodology, explaining the roles of the Dreamer, Realist, Critic, and Executor.

Group Brainstorming: Participants formed teams and engaged in a brainstorming session using the Crazy 8’s technique. They generated eight rapid-fire ideas within a time constraint to encourage quick thinking and creativity

Realist Stage: Participants refined their ideas, selected the most realistic ones from their initial brainstorming session, and redid the Crazy Eight technique.

Critic Stage: Using the Fireball Method, one person presents their idea while their partner critiques it, pointing out flaws and areas for improvement. The roles then switch, allowing for a constructive exchange of feedback and fostering critical thinking and problem-solving

This method encourages open dialogue and helps participants refine their ideas through valuable insights from the critique process.

Execution Stage: Participants took their progressive ideas and moved into the prototyping phase, using the provided tools and materials to create their physical prototypes.

Discussion and Reflection: Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in group discussions, sharing insights, receiving feed-back, and reflecting on their creative processes.

By incorporating these tools and activities, the workshop offered a dynamic and interactive learning experience, allowing participants to actively engage in the Waffle Methodology and explore their creativity through hands-on prototyping and collaborative discussions.