Oblique Strategies: Your Secret Creative Tools!

Imagine you have a special deck of cards, like a secret treasure chest for your brain! These cards are called Oblique Strategies. They are small, about the size of your palm, and they have amazing messages on them.

When you feel stuck, like you can't think of a new idea for drawing or building, you can pick a card. It gives you a fun challenge to help your brain think in a totally different direction. It's like a puzzle for your imagination!

These cool cards were invented a long, long time ago, back in 1975! Two very creative friends, Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt, came up with them. Brian was a musician who made music, and Peter was an artist who made amazing pictures.

They sometimes got stuck when trying to create new things. So, they made these cards to help themselves and other artists. They put them in a neat black box, and since then, lots of people have used them to be more creative.

These cards are like superpowers for your creativity! When you're trying to draw a picture, write a story, or even build with blocks, sometimes your brain gets a little sleepy. Oblique Strategies wake up your brain!

They give you a nudge, like a friendly push, to try something unexpected. This helps you come up with ideas that are surprising and totally new. It’s like finding a hidden path when you thought you were lost!

Using Oblique Strategies is super easy and fun! First, you get your deck of cards. When you need a new idea, you close your eyes and pick one card.

Don't peek! Then, you read the message on the card. It might say something like, 'Use an old idea in a new way' or 'Reverse.' These messages aren't always easy, but they make you think differently.

They help you look at your problem from a new angle, like looking at your toys from under the table!