Gamified Individual Brainstorming : Reaching for the stars

Abstract: Ideation is a critical step in the creation of new solutions to problems. Brainstorming, being the most commonly known ideation method, is mostly done in groups. However, research points out that brainstorming individually is more effective than brainstorming in groups. This paper investigates if negative aspects (reduced enjoyment, motivation and self-rated performance) associated with brainstorming alone can be overcome by using a gamified approach to brainstorming. Gamified and non-gamified prototypes have been made and used in combination with a questionnaire to measure differences in these negative aspects. From the within-subject study including 20 participants, it appears that the implemented gamification approach was not different from the non-gamified approach for most of the negative aspects. Self-rated performance was however significantly higher in the non-gamified version. Using the gamified or non-gamified approach seems to largely come down to the preference of the user.