Renowned musician and producer (and the brains behind what many consider the origin of ambient music – Music For Airports) Brian Eno is not only celebrated for his groundbreaking music but also for his innovative approach to creativity. One of his most notable contributions to the creative world is the “Oblique Strategies,” a deck of cards designed to break creative impasses and inspire new ideas.

Musicians inspired by Oblique Strategies include Coldplay, said to have used the cards when recording their 2008 Brian Eno-produced album ‘Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.’ French band Phoenix, who used the cards when recording their 2009 album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.’ Others rumored to have used them include David Byrne (close friends with Brian Eno), MGMT, U2, David Bowie, R.E.M. and most likely anyone who’s been produced by Brian Eno.

The Origins of Oblique Strategies

In the early 1970s, Brian Eno, along with artist Peter Schmidt, developed the Oblique Strategies as a tool to combat creative blocks encountered during the artistic process. The idea stemmed from Eno’s desire to introduce “randomness and serendipity” into his work.

How Oblique Strategies Work

The Oblique Strategies deck consists of a set of cards, each bearing a cryptic phrase or directive aimed at prompting unconventional thinking. These phrases range from the enigmatic (“Honour thy error as a hidden intention”) to the practical (“Use an old idea”), serving as gentle nudges to steer artists away from familiar paths and towards unexplored territories of creativity.

At the core of Oblique Strategies is the concept of embracing serendipity—the unexpected and delightful discovery of something valuable while searching for something else. By relinquishing control and surrendering to chance, artists invite serendipity into their creative process, opening themselves up to a wealth of new possibilities and insights.

Applying Oblique Strategies

Oblique Strategies can be applied across any artistic endeavor – music composition, visual arts, writing, and even problem-solving in business contexts. Artists can integrate the cards into their practice by drawing one at random when they encounter a creative block or feel stuck in a rut. The seemingly unrelated directive on the card can serve as a catalyst for fresh ideas and approaches, nudging the artist towards a breakthrough.

One of the key principles behind Oblique Strategies is the idea that constraints can fuel creativity. By imposing limitations or introducing random elements into the creative process, artists are forced to think outside the box and explore alternative paths.

The Power of Collaboration

Eno and Schmidt envisioned Oblique Strategies not only as a personal tool but also as a means of fostering collaboration and collective creativity. When used in group settings, the cards can facilitate brainstorming sessions and encourage participants to collaborate on solving creative problems. By pooling their diverse perspectives and experiences, individuals can generate a rich tapestry of ideas that may not have emerged otherwise.

Try them out the next time you’re doing something creative.