30 Circles Divergent Thinking Creativity Exercise

Purpose

This exercise is designed to stimulate creative thinking and encourage divergent ideas. It helps delegates generate ideas quickly, without overthinking or self-censoring, which is essential in breaking down mental barriers.

Objective

Delegates are given a sheet with 30 empty circles and are tasked with transforming as many circles as possible into recognisable objects. The emphasis is on generating as many ideas as possible, prioritising quantity over quality.

What You Need

• A4 sheets with 30 pre-drawn empty circles (one sheet per delegate)
• Colour markers or brush pens

Setup

• Introduce the activity by explaining the importance of divergent thinking in creativity. Highlight how rapid idea generation without self-censorship allows for greater innovation.
• Distribute the 30-circles sheet to each delegate. Ensure everyone has a single pen (one colour only) and explain that they have only 3 minutes to turn as many circles as possible into recognisable objects. The objects can be simple, abstract, or detailed, but the goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in the time allotted.
• Start the timer and encourage delegates to work quickly without overthinking their designs. Remind them that the exercise is about quantity, not quality.
• After 3 minutes, stop the activity and ask delegates to count how many circles they managed to transform into objects.
• Encourage them to walk around and see what others have created.
• Bring back everyone together.
• Facilitate a group discussion focusing on how they approached the task and what they learned about their creative process.

Timing

Explaining the Exercise: 5 minutes

Activity: 3 minutes

Group Feedback: 10 minutes

Discussion

Once the activity is completed, gather the group for a reflective discussion. Use these questions to guide the conversation:

• Did you notice any patterns in your thinking? For example, did you start with similar objects or themes?
• Which strategies helped you generate more ideas? Did you find yourself focusing on the details of each object, or did you try to work as quickly as possible?
• How did the time pressure influence your creativity? Did it push you to think more freely, or did it create additional stress?
• How does this exercise demonstrate the concept of divergent thinking? Why is it important to generate many ideas before refining or judging them?
• Were you surprised by any of the objects you created, or did you find that your later ideas became more innovative?
• How could you apply this rapid idea-generation technique to your work or problem-solving scenarios?

Variations

• You can provide multiple pens with different colours to each delegate so they can express more creatively and increase the clarity of illustrations. With this option you can increase the time to 5 minutes.
• You can get everyone to vote for best designs and end up with the top 5. While showing the top 5 to the whole class, ask delegates to express why they like such designs and why they work.

Handout

30-Circles-Divergent-Thinking-Creativity-Exercise.docx

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