Page 19 - So-What-Who-Cares-Why-You

TER 1 1 WHAT’S YOUR IDEA? So What?
CHAP-
Worksheet 1 (A)
The Napkin
Drawing Tool The Napkin Drawing Tool

Sketch Out Your Idea on a Napkin

1. Draw your idea or concept in “big picture” terms.
2. Sketch out your idea in action using images, circles, arrows, etc.

The Napkin Drawing Tool helps you to Unique Attributes of Your Idea:
articulate the essence of your idea. You’ve 1. ______________________________
no doubt been in a restaurant or coffee shop 2. ______________________________
where someone, perhaps you, used a napkin to 3. ______________________________
illustrate a concept for their guest. This is the
purpose of the Napkin Drawing Tool – to help people using or interacting with your idea
you create a visual illustration of your idea that fosters a personal connection.
is easily understood.
Don’t be nervous if you are not an artist – the goal
The size of a napkin provides the ideal tone is not to draw a beautiful picture; it is to show
and style for your drawing. It sets the stage to your idea at work in a commercial setting. Aim for
introduce at a high level the environment where accuracy and not elegance.
your idea adds value. Experiment with different
perspectives to draw your picture. For example, Avoid the temptation to fill your napkin with
if your idea changes the status quo, you could too much information. Revise and refine your
draw the two scenarios and show the benefits drawing so that it is simple, straightforward and
achieved by your alternative approach. If your uncluttered. In the words of famous architect,
idea is a component inside another product, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “Less is More”.
such as a chemical or compound, show the Don’t overcomplicate things – focus on a few
value that your idea delivers to the end user of key elements in your drawing.
that solution. Finally, whenever possible, include
people in your napkin drawing – showing

The Best Napkin Drawings Are:

1. Simple – they capture the essence of the idea without extraneous detail.
2. Dynamic – they show the idea in action and from a user’s perspective.
3. Unique – they highlight the special attributes of the idea.
4. Visual – they create a strong mental image for people to remember.
5. Outcome-Oriented – they show the main elements and outcomes of the idea.

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