The Role Reversal — Pattern Interrupts trigger illustration
A5
PATTERN INTERRUPTS

THE ROLE REVERSAL

MECHANISM

Swap who does what to whom. Predator becomes prey. Teacher becomes student. Product serves unexpected master.

? THE QUESTION

"What happens when the roles reverse?"

PROCESS

Work through these questions to generate ideas:

  1. Who normally acts upon whom in this category?
  2. What if they switched places?
  3. What does the product look like serving its opposite?

EXAMPLES

Ideas in this space might look like:

  • Children teaching adults about technology
  • The hunted hunting the hunter
  • The customer serving the company for once

HOW IT WORKS

Your Product
YOUR PRODUCT
+
THE QUESTION
"What happens when the roles reverse?"
=
Breakthrough Idea
BREAKTHROUGH IDEA

REAL WORLD EXAMPLES

7

"What happens when the roles reverse?"