ENKRAF
Ready to feel creative?
In short
Bachelor Thesis
How might we trigger creative mind states in people facing challenges? this is my bachelor project back in Colombia
Project type:
Graduation Project, Industrial Design
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Year: 2019
Team: Juan Fankhauser
Nelson André Pinzón
Role: Research, Concept Development, Experience Design, Prototyping
The Challenge
How might we trigger creative thinking states in people facing design challenges, especially during the ideation phase of Design Thinking?
We explored how stimuli (like posture, taste, scent, and social dynamics) can influence Creative Cognitive Processes (CCPs) and help people overcome creative blocks.
The Concept: "Get Creative"
We designed ENKRAF, a tool and immersive experience to support creativity as a state of mind not just a talent.
It's a portable or spatial setup that blends sensory stimulation, team dynamics, and cognitive nudges to provoke creative flow.
The Research
Literature review (Psychology of Creativity, Cognitive Science, AI models of intuition)
Interviews with design professors & peers
130-person survey on perceptions of creativity
Analyzed spatial precedents (WeWork, ImpactHub, Creative Mornings)
We learned that many people confuse creative tools with design software—and most do not consciously engage with their own creative processes.
Design Process
Phase 1: Research & Hypothesis
We formulated key hypotheses:
Open postures help ideation
Sharing food enhances trust
Frustration followed by resolution builds confidence
Group unity fosters idea generation
Phase 2: Experience Prototyping
We developed 3 prototypes:
BINGRBAR: a bar for creativity through altered states induced wit custom drinks based on user data
ENKRAF Space: a sensory-controlled ideation room
ENKRAF Travel Kit: a suitcase with all necessary tools to turn any room into a creativity hub
Phase 3: Testing
We tested with two groups of Industrial Design students (beginners and advanced).
Scenarios included:
Frustration-only
Frustration + Resolution
We tracked emotions (emotion meter fill out by each participant) , idea quantity, and feedback.
80% of the participants reported joy and surprise after the full experience
Participants asked to repeat it (the experience) and wanted to buy the tools
The Result
We developed:
A creative methodology in the shape of a fish model
The ENKRAF Travel Kit as a deployable creative environment
A brand identity and onboarding ritual to anchor the experience
What We Learned
Creativity is not magic, it's processable, triggerable, and designable
There is value on playing, surprising, and mood is deeply tied to innovation
Immersive experiences are become tools, not just moments
What’s Next?
We see ENKRAF as a seed for workshops, innovation teams, or creative retreats. With further iteration, it could be turned into a service design toolkit or even a subscription-based experience for companies.
