6-3-5 Brainwriting is defined as a hybrid brainstorming technique used in design processes and creativity studies, involving iterations and sequences. This method functions as a tool that supports individual design movements while also enabling group design. The technique is fundamentally based on the collaborative creativity model. Collaborative creativity can be broadly defined as multiple individuals coming together to generate a shared idea. This approach involves a collaborative creative social production process that emphasizes social processes and is based on group interaction and efficiency, meaning it is built on encouraging sharing and cooperation.

History and Origin

The 6-3-5 method is associated with Rohrbach in the literature also known as (iterative and sequential Hybrid Brainstorming) method. These structured creativity techniques are particularly important in fields such as design and education. Such methods support designers in preferring flexible or partially structured methods in early conceptual stages, such as vision creation and planning processes. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with improvisation-based approaches, these methods serve as a tool that can encourage spontaneity, creativity, experimentation, and productivity. With its structure, 6-3-5 aims to reduce the disadvantages of traditional nominal (individual) and group (face-to-face) brainstorming types; because communication problems, inhibition of ideas, and social concerns such as evaluation can cause traditional group brainstorming methods to produce weak ideas in terms of quantity and quality.

Application Process Dynamics

The 6-3-5 Technique has a structure that includes repetitions and sequences (ordered steps). This structure enables participants to use it in a context that changes individual and group brainstorming, providing the most suitable process for generating the most ideas. The collaborative creativity process in which this technique is applied can be considered part of a model, which typically includes stages such as problem definition, discovery of creative ideas, collaborative creativity, and process evaluation. 6-3-5 plays a role particularly in the “Discovery of Creative Ideas” and “Collaborative Creativity” stages of this model. During these stages, group members build upon each other's ideas to generate more and better ideas; thus, new ideas emerge, and the resulting idea subsets can be selected for further refinement and development.

Key Features and Advantages

Collaborative and written idea generation methods such as 6-3-5 contribute to creativity processes in terms of both quantity and quality. Furthermore, the presence of members with different experiences and expertise in a collaborative creative group leads to creative and useful ideas due to the mutual stimulation of different knowledge bases and ideas. This method is important for individuals to be able to evaluate real-life problems in a multifaceted and creative way, work harmoniously in collaboration, and use their higher-level thinking skills.