Grid Condensation
Developing ideas through visual consolidation.
Grid Condensation is a visual creative method that teams use to develop new ideas and solutions from visual stimuli. The method combines open research with structured condensation: images, associations and clusters help to gain new perspectives on an issue.
Developed from the visual arts, Grid Condensation is particularly suitable for brainstorming, idea selection, creative strategy processes and cross-innovation formats.
Why Grid Condensation?
Traditional brainstorming sessions are often characterised by language and quickly move into familiar thought patterns. Complex challenges in particular require approaches that do not immediately lead to evaluation, feasibility or routines.
This is where Grid Condensation comes in: Visual stimuli open up the thinking space, make connections visible and lead to ideas that go beyond obvious solutions.
How does the method work?
The starting point is a specific question, for example the development of new services, products or strategic approaches.
The participants first research individual images that visualise possible solutions, moods or associations - digitally, AI-supported or analogue with printed materials.
The images are then collected on a whiteboard or analogue surface and arranged in a grid with suitable sub-themes. Sorting, shifting and clustering reveals patterns, contrasts and surprising connections.
In this way, many visual impressions condense into a structured selection of viable ideas.
What are the benefits of Grid Condensation?
The method provides orientation in the idea phase. A visually structured picture of possible innovation approaches emerges from a loose collection of impressions.
Grid Condensation helps teams to recognise implicit connections, broaden perspectives and productively develop unusual ideas.
When is the method useful?
Grid Condensation is particularly suitable for
- Developing ideas for products, services or strategic issues
- creative strategy and innovation processes
- interdisciplinary groups
- Teams that want to break away from traditional brainstorming formats
- Issues that require a change of perspective
The method is less suitable if final decisions are to be made on the basis of hard criteria or quantified data. Its strength lies in exploring, consolidating and selecting ideas.
Tips from practice
Grid Condensation is particularly effective if the image research is initially conducted openly and without hasty judgement. It is important that the facilitation provides a clear but not too narrow framework.
Analogue work with magazines offers direct, sensory access. Digital research is faster and more flexible, but often starts with search terms. Both variants have their added value.
It is also helpful not to set up the grid too narrowly too early: first allow diversity, then focus together.
Setting
- Duration: approx. 45-90 minutes
- Group size: small to medium-sized groups
- Setting: on-site or digital
- Material: digital whiteboard or analogue surface, images from the internet, AI or print, magazines if necessary, scissors, pens and moderation material
Grid condensation in the Cross Innovation Hub
At the Cross Innovation Hub, we use grid condensation to develop ideas in a visual, low-threshold and strategically effective way.
The method activates creative skills and visibly brings together different perspectives. Surprising connections and new approaches to solutions emerge, especially in collaboration with creative professionals.
Contact person
- Dr Susanne Eigenmann
- Knowledge Manager Cross Innovation Hub
- 040 2372435-54 Kurzbiografie
As knowledge manager at the Cross Innovation Hub, Susanne is responsible for all questions relating to the theory of innovation, cross-industry collaboration, creativity, futurology, trends and much more. She develops topics, provides background information and decision-making aids, organises discussions and communication events on all issues relating to cross innovation and is always interested in learning and exchanging ideas.
Before joining Kreativ Gesellschaft, Susanne worked as a research assistant at the University of Hamburg and as a personal assistant to the theatre director at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus. In her work as a freelancer with creative people from various sectors, such as cultural professionals and artists, she has always marvelled at how naturally, quickly and enthusiastically they create new things and move openly in new terrain. It was therefore also a wonderful development for her when she was able to help develop the Cross Innovation Hub at Kreativ Gesellschaft and be part of it, opening up the strengths of the creative industries to other sectors of the economy.
