The SCAMPER Technique: How It Unravels Your Creative Brain

An article from my Substack newsletter — La Vie Ben Rose

One of the most frustrating things about finding a creative idea is the process of actually coming up with a creative idea.

While I’ve tried head pounding, chugging coffee, and staring into the abyss, I believe there’s an even more effective way to develop creative ideas.

It’s called the SCAMPER technique.

The concept comes from a 1957 book, Applied Imagination, by Alex F. Osborn, who was an advertising executive.

Here’s how the technique works:

1. S — Substitute: Consider replacing one thing with another — materials, processes, or people involved.
2. C — Combine: Explore ways to combine ideas to create something new.
3. A — Adapt: Consider how an existing idea or solution can be adapted or modified for a different purpose or context.
4. M — Modify: Make changes to existing elements or ideas like size, shape, color, or other attributes.
5. P — Put to another use: Explore alternative applications or uses for existing elements. Think about how something might be repurposed.
6. E — Eliminate: Identify elements that can…