Now most of you are probably thinking this is a simple thing, just order some soundproofing foam and attach it to the walls and/or ceiling in strategic places. Done. But we are looking to develop a new idea, approach or product here and so we need to get away from the obvious solutions.
What is a PO idea? Basically, think of something impossible, weird or hilarious as a solution. Here’s what our Saturn Designers generated in their first PO brainstorming session. Now get ready for some crazy ideas:
- Create mouth sponges to lower the sound of people
- Create a vacuum of the room so that no sound can be generated
- Put sponges all over the walls
- Everyone can wear special ear
plugs
- Only whispering is allowed
- Whenever someone speaks they
have to
whisper to the person next to them
and then that person whispers the
same message to the next person
and so on until everyone gets the message
- Fill the room with water like a fish tank
- Give everyone walkie-talkies (two way radios)
- Single out loud mouths and tell them to talk more quietly
- Modify people’s larynx’s so that they can’t speak too loudly
- Sew mouths shut
- Only use online chat
- Design tables made of soundproofing foam or acoustic tiles
OK, now I know you are thinking that this seems like a strange way to solve a problem, but remember we are trying to get our brains out of their usual thinking patterns so that we can create something original. The idea is that these wacky ideas will lead to something no one has ever thought of and hopefully something that will lead to a better solution.
progress.