In 1985 Edward de Bono created a system of hats which were intended to prompt critical thinking and group discussion. The six hat system is an effective tool that enables groups to think in a detailed and cohesive way. The premise of this method is that our brains gather information through a number of distinct ways, this system is intended to challenge the brain in six ways in order to prompt conscious thinking. The six hat system is broken down into 6 distinct colours that are used as ‘metaphors’ for each direction.

• BLUE: ‘Managing’ – What are we thinking about? What is the goal?
• WHITE: ‘Information’ – What are the facts?
• RED: ‘Emotions’ – What is your gut instinct? How did you initially react?
• BLACK: ‘Discernment’ – Reasons to be conservative? Criticism?
• YELLOW: ‘Optimism’ – What do you like? What are the benefits? What went well?
• GREEN : ‘Creativity’ – Are there alternatives? New ideas to be investigated?

In my Thursday tutorial we used this method of thinking in order to critical engage with the various interpretations of the self portrait task that each person created. Although we only used the Yellow, Black, Red and Green hats, we were able to effectively discuss as a group, our different reactions to each persons self portrait. This discussion enabled each person to gather feedback from their pieces. We learn’t what improvements could be made, what went well, things that didn’t work and alternatives to what we created. This exercise enabled me to think about my self portrait piece in a different way. I was able to look at my work from more of a subjective point of view, critically analysing what went well and what didn’t.

One thing that I took away from this discussion and feedback was the importance of audio. After listening to various other peoples audio ideas, it gave me inspiration to explore audio in a different way. Initially I didn’t think that audio was that important but after listening to what others had created I realised that it is an integral part of the self portrait task that is is meant to represent who we are. I want to revisit different sounds and create audio pieces that are more relevant to who I am and what I do in my life, rather than my brother at school singing the Australian anthem.

After having this discussion I realised the importance of using these hats in order to generate interesting and productive discussion. Although the discussion can sometimes be unnatural, using these hats provokes thought into what becomes a natural conversation about a certain idea or concept. This discussion was an eye opener into an activity that I thought was reserved for primary school students. Instead, I realised it can be used by anyone in order to gather information in a conscious way that both benefits others, as well as yourself.