Autolysis Instructions

Video instructions here

How long can you last? Ideate for as long as you can with the cards you have available.

Objective:
Keep creating ideas. If you stop, you die! 

Time: 
30 minutes 

Number of players: 
1+

Play Autolysis if you want to: 

  • Prioritize creating more ideas 
  • Want a diversity of voices 
  • Want to ideate by yourself 
  • Have people who are shy 

Steps: 

  1. Come up with a problem you want to solve or something you want to create. Alternatively, you can use one of the green scenario cards. 
  2. Shuffle the deck and draw three cards. Flip them face up so that you can see the prompts. 
  3. Flip the timer. Before time runs out, you must create a new idea (i.e. doesn't exist already) using one of the cards.
  4. If you create an idea before time is up, discard the card you used and replace it with a new one. If you cannot create an idea before the time is up, discard the card and do not replace it. 
  5. When you lose all your cards, end the game. 

Tips: 

  • Finding the game too easy? Change the number of cards you have to use and ideas you have to make to 2 or even 3 per round! 
  • Play with other people! Whoever lasts the longest wins! 
  • Challenge your brain in different ways. Force yourself to combine cards to make an idea, or to draw all of your ideas!