This document provides guidance on developing an idea proposal for ProjectLab. It recommends sharing your idea with others over a cup of tea to gain different perspectives, identifying problems you personally experience or opportunities from new technologies. Reviewing past successful submissions and the submission questions can help strengthen your proposal. Getting feedback and support from FestivalsLab staff is also available.

1. coming up with &
developing your
ProjectLab proposal
version 3.0 for Round 3

2. I don’t know where to start
If you are interested in taking part in ProjectLab but are unsure of
where to start, then this short document provides some guidance on:
1) Coming up with your idea in the first place
2) Working up that idea for submission
We hope you find it useful. If you have any questions or would like
any further assistance please email lab@festivalsedinburgh.com

3. coming up with your
idea for ProjectLab
version 3.0 for Round 3

4. Idea tip 1: Have a cup of tea with someone!
While invention can often be a solitary pursuit, the vast
majority of innovation comes from bringing different
perspectives together. Therefore sharing an idea and a cup
of tea is a great way to have that conversation which ends
up with your submission being awarded support.

5. Idea tip 2: What is your personal itch?
Many of the best innovation projects start from an
individual just wanting to solve a problem they have
themselves. What are the things that you experience as
part of your role in the festivals that you’d like to see
improved?
When you then have a clear sense of need, then you can
start to explore solutions.

6. Idea tip 3: What opportunities can you see?
The alternative to the need-led approach is looking at
opportunities. Have you seen a particular technology or
new way of working in a different part of your life, or even
at another cultural organisation or festival that you think
could be adapted well to your particular festival? It may
even be something you read in a magazine.
Often we are regular users of new tools or technologies at
home but don’t use them in our working lives. ProjectLab
is an opportunity to see those new connections.

7. Idea tip 4: Be inspired by the Ideas Challenge!
As you know, through the Edinburgh Festivals Ideas
Challenge in summer 2011, members of the public
submitted almost 300 ideas of how to make the festiavals
even more amazing.
Some are brilliant, some are bizarre, and by taking just a
few minutes to review them online at
http://ideas.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/submissions you
may find some inspiration.

8. Idea tip 5: Use the Festival Design DNA tools
By visiting
http://design.festivalslab.com/portfolio/discover you will
find a whole suite of methods and techniques which you
can use to come up with ideas suitable for ProjectLab.
There are different methods for however long you have to
spare and are very useful for bringing new perspectives to
spot innovation opportunities in the middle of what you
already do.

9. developing your idea
for ProjectLab
version 3.0 for Round 3

10. Develop tip 1: Reviewing the submission Qs
Turning your good idea into a great worked-up proposal is
likely to be key to success in the ProjectLab process. The
best place to start is therefore simply to review the
questions you will be asked in the online submission form.
These are available at www.festivalslab.com/projectlab

11. Develop tip 2: Share your idea and get advice
While you may understand the problem, you might not
know as much about the steps needed to solve it.
Therefore by sharing your idea with friends, your team or
your network, they are likely to be able to help work up the
details of the proposal.

12. Develop tip 3: Get support from festivalslab
There are further ways you can get additional support
from the Innovation Lab:
1) Email Jennifer at lab@festivalsedinburgh.com to
arrange a call and independent review of your
submission, or to have a look through previous
successful submissions.
2) Book a time with either Jennifer
(jennifer@festivalsedinburgh.com) or James
(james@festivalsedinburgh.com) to discuss your
submission. This is dependent on available resources
within Festivals Edinburgh.

13. Good luck and please
get in touch with any
questions or for advice.
version 3.0 for Round 3