disney+

a brainstorm brainstorm

A pandemic pivot that expanded our definition of inclusive design.

adapting to the new normal.

Like many, our team struggled with navigating remote creative collaboration. Brainstorming over Zoom couldn’t match the energy of an in-person whiteboarding sesh. Brainstorms in general can be intimidating. One or two big voices do all the talking, and you’re left with a room full of people who don’t feel comfortable (or even motivated) to speak up.

As a group, we talk a lot about accessible design and creating content that’s inclusive for our audiences. We wanted to take a step back and look at inclusivity not just in the work we create, but in how we create it. It was time for a brainstorm… brainstorm.

What’s fair game in the first round of brainstorming?

one- to two-sentence elevator pitch

visual
reference

gamification
idea

creative
hook

social media
example

copy
line

animation
element

mood
board

What should we avoid?

fancy, polished,
fully designed concepts

This approach avoids unnecessary work, maintains a level playing field, and keeps the process collaborative.

Getting creative with process

We reimagined the traditional brainstorm to make sure inclusivity was at its core, so everyone—introverts and extroverts, across job titles and time zones—could contribute in a way that worked for them. The system is scalable, repeatable, and efficient, and it allows us to evaluate which early-stage concepts best ladder up to the strategy and drive the most Disney+ sign-ups.