Think Like A City

How to level up your idea to City Status™

The best ideas are shaped like cities.

When I'm stuck, I like to brainstorm like I'm drawing a map of a city. This simple reframe is enough to take the pressure off, and helps me stay loose. Reframing the abstract to the recognisable helps me access language to approach an idea from a different, but familiar direction. Making the ideation process feel more tangible. Not convinced?

Here’s a selection of 21 questions, from the full list of 101 questions I use to level up an idea to City Status. Replace your brand, product, service, campaign or relevant term specific to your problem with 'city' and see if it helps.

1. What scarce resource is your city built on?
2. What does your constitution say?
3. What powers the city?
4. What is the most recognisable landmark in the city?
5. What do people pose for a photo next to?
6. Who visits?
7. Who lives there?
8. Which fridge magnet always sells out?
9. If there’s a bank, what’s in the safe?
10. If there’s a library, what’s in the books?
11. What do citizens do every day?
12. What do tourists do for fun?
13. What is your Thanksgiving parade about?
14. What happens once a year that's too good to miss?
15. What three words are on the welcome sign?
16. What do people expect to pay for?
17. What do people expect for free?
18. If there was an election, who would run for mayor?
19. What have you built to keep the city safe?
20. What made you famous?
21. What keeps you famous?

Interested in the other 80? Get in touch.

Full article here: Think like a city.

Interested in levelling up your idea to City Status™? Get in touch for full access to the Think Like A City method and workshop.

Connect Tristan Dunbar Visit Tristan Idea Follow on X @tristanidea