# Brainstorm-Encouraging Objects Totem by Smart Interaction Lab Creates Better Meetings of the Mind By Meghan Young | Published 2013-08-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/totem-by-smart-interaction-lab References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/1673341/can-these-blocks-unblock-brainstorming) & [smartinteractionlab](http://smartinteractionlab.com/totem-at-bcn-mini-maker-faire-2013/) As much as brainstorming sessions are meant to be free arenas in which people brew up a variety of different ideas, it can often become a skewed experience depending on who is involved in the meeting of minds; that's where Totem by [Smart Interaction Lab](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-smart-coop) comes in. The award-winning design and innovation consulting firm has effectively created a set of three [toy-like objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/therapeutic-games) that help to facilitate better brainstorming sessions. Totem by Smart Interaction Lab helps to avoid a classic scenario that Carla Diana, head of Smart Interaction Lab, describes, “It’s very common for one or two people to dominate a brainstorm. It also makes those people who feel timid feel more timid.” For instance, the Baton acts like a talking stick, vibrating and buzzing after about four minutes. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Brainstorm Facilitation Tools:** Opportunities for startups to create innovative tools to enhance brainstorming sessions. - **Collaborative Meeting Solutions:** Opportunities to create products that foster egalitarian meetings and create equal participation opportunities. - **Toyification of Office Equipment:** Opportunities for companies to create playful, toy-like objects that make meetings more fun and engaging. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Design Consultancy:** Design firms can expand their service offerings by incorporating brainstorming facilitation tools in their service lineup. - **Co-working Industry:** Co-working spaces can incorporate Totem by Smart Interaction Lab's brainstorm facilitating tools to enhance their meeting spaces. - **Toy Industry:** Toy companies can expand their markets by moving beyond typical playtime toys and creating products for the office space that encourage playful interaction and collaboration. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI Brainstorming Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funblocks-aiflow.md) - [AI-Powered Brainstorming Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ayoa.md) - [Interactive Meeting Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toku.md) - [Digital Brainstorming Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/card-buddy.md) - [Brainstorming Business Idea Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ideamate.md) - [Creative Idea Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inspirenote.md) - [Hybrid Virtual Brainstorming Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/postit-note-app.md) - [AI Brainstorming Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monju.md) - [Immersive Focus Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/actify.md)