UX
Crazy 8s
A practical rapid ideation method for generating a wide range of concepts quickly by forcing speed, variation, and low-fidelity thinking.
How to use Crazy 8s to generate diverse ideas quickly, move past obvious concepts, and create strong starting points for deeper design work.
Quick take
If you want a burst of ideas fast, push yourself to sketch eight in eight minutes.
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What it is
Crazy 8s is a rapid ideation method where participants sketch eight different ideas in eight minutes.
It is designed to force speed, reduce glossaryOverthinkingOverthinking in UX is adding unnecessary complexity or analysis that slows down decision-making and delivery.Open glossary term, and encourage a wide range of concepts.
Each idea is quick and low-fidelity, focusing on variation rather than detail.
The time constraint pushes people past their first obvious ideas and into more creative territory.
It is commonly used in glossaryDesign SprintA design sprint is a structured, time-boxed process for solving problems and testing ideas quickly.Open glossary term and workshops.
The goal is to generate a high volume of diverse ideas quickly.
Crazy 8s is most useful when teams need to break out of obvious thinking and create idea momentum fast.
When to use it
Use this method when you need fast, diverse ideas.
It is most useful when:
It is less useful when:
Crazy 8s is often used before deeper design or prioritisation.
Key takeaway
Use Crazy 8s when speed and variation are more important than detail, and you need broad concept exploration in a short time.
How to run it
Set up properly.
Before you start, be clear on the problem or challenge, what participants should focus on, and the format (paper folded into eight sections or digital equivalent).
Keep instructions simple and clear.
Run the method.
Crazy 8s is fast and time-boxed.
Give participants a clear glossaryPromptA prompt is the input or instruction given to an AI system to guide its output or response.Open glossary term. Set a timer for eight minutes. Ask them to sketch one idea per minute. Encourage speed over quality. Push for variation, not repetition.
Keep the pace high.
Capture and make sense of it.
The value comes from volume and diversity.
After the glossarySessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term: review all sketches, identify standout ideas, group similar concepts, and combine or refine where needed.
Use this to move into more detailed design.
What to look for
Focus on:
Where it goes wrong
Most issues come from:
If it’s slow, it defeats the point.
What you get from it
Done properly, this method gives you:
Key takeaway
It helps you move fast and explore widely.
Get in touch
If this sounds like something you need, we can help you run fast-paced ideation glossarySessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term that unlock better ideas and move your team forward.
No guesswork. No assumptions. Just rapid, effective ideation.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this method.
What is Crazy 8s in UX?
It is a rapid sketching method where you create eight ideas in eight minutes.
When should you use Crazy 8s?
Use it during early ideation or glossaryDesign SprintA design sprint is a structured, time-boxed process for solving problems and testing ideas quickly.Open glossary term.
Do the ideas need to be good?
No. The goal is quantity and variation.
Can you do it digitally?
Yes. As long as it stays fast and structured.
Does Crazy 8s improve UX?
Yes. It helps generate a wider range of ideas quickly.