What is «Warm your hands»?

From the university magazine Zett

Creativity methods in the CAS Design Methods. Photo: Annina Indermühle.

Published on

Author Katharina Nill

«Warm your hands» is a collaborative creativity technique. It helps quickly make imperfect ideas visible and discussable. It can be used in groups of three to ten people to reduce inhibitions, break the ice and foster thinking with one’s hands.

Here is how it works:

  • Participants spread out the materials they have brought along to the session: building blocks, buttons, postcards; anything three-dimensional is welcome.
  • Participants have three minutes to create an object that illustrates who they are and why they are attending.
  • Next, participants take turns to give their name, show their object and briefly explain how it relates to them.
  • The session concludes with a brief group reflection: Was the task easy or difficult? Why? What was helpful, what wasn’t? Who felt what? It is sufficient to collect spontaneous feedback.

«Warm your hands» was created as part of the CAS Design Methods and was developed by Annina Indermühle, a participant. It is one of over a hundred creativity techniques in this online methods toolbox. It contains a wealth of tips and tricks to playfully start the next meeting, an upcoming brainstorming session or the next workshop.