Fuzzy Dice: Understanding Ideation

Matthew Manos, 2026

Ideation should remain a fundamentally human responsibility. Critical thinking and creative problem solving are not merely productive skills. They are ways of interpreting the world, forming perspective, assigning meaning, questioning assumptions, and creating direction.

Fuzzy Dice is an attempt to map the terrain of ideation itself. It explores what ideas are, how they emerge, the conditions that shape them, the systems that influence them, and the practices that allow ideas to evolve over time. Part textbook, part memoir, Fuzzy Dice includes four units of study, a syllabus, 100 prompts, and 10 assignments. Readers will walk away with a deeper understanding of ideation, along with a personal toolkit for idea generation.

Anti-Rapid

Version 2.0

A series of 22 prompts designed to challenge the modern innovation emphasis on speed, while supporting the incubation phase of ideation.

Challenge-Based Innovation

Version 1.0

A four-step framework and collection of methodologies that facilitate ideation in complex challenge spaces where the answers are not immediately clear.

End-Of-Year

Version 2.0

A reflection exercise that guides critical thinking on the past year in order to imagine goals and define clear action-items for the new year ahead.

Explain Yourself

Version 1.0

A comprehensive eight-phase approach to developing strategic narratives that bring ideas to life through positioning, communication, and visions of growth.

Exponential Listening

Version 3.0

A three-step framework and collection of methodologies that put listening at the center of innovation in order to develop ideas grounded in community needs.

Group-Think

Version 1.0

A guide for facilitating group brainstorming sessions, designed to build an understanding for the characters, mindsets, and conditions present in the room.

Less Bad Design

Version 2.0

A framework for developing, evaluating, and pivoting ideas, while learning to identify the ethical concerns and unintended consequences that may emerge.

Models of Impact

Version 6.0

An ideation game that simulates the process of launching a social enterprise, while presenting a comprehensive glossary of 250+ revenue and impact models.

Peculiar Prompts

Version 4.0

A collection of 1,002,232 prompts designed to break the rhythm of an otherwise mundane business meeting, weekday, or general existence.

Risky Business

Version 2.0

A facilitated workshop guide for innovators looking to foster creativity and secure buy-in for new ideas within risk-averse or heavily regulated environments.

So What?

Version 2.0

A process for implementing an impact measurement strategy that can lead to data-driven outcomes while supporting the evaluation of ideas.

Time Machine

Version 2.0

A five-phase framework and supporting methodologies for developing future scenarios and preparing for multiple possibilities through present-day action.

250,000+

The # of people my tools and resources have reached.

175+

The # of countries my tools and resources have been downloaded in.

50

The # of U.S. states my tools and resources have been downloaded in.

4.9/5 ⭐

The average star rating out of 1,000+ reviews on the GumRoad platform.

Give Half

Second Edition

How to Give Half of Your Work Away for Free is a book about pro-bono service. It is also a blueprint that open-sources verynice's pioneering “give-half” model.

Toward a Preemptive Social Enterprise

First Edition

Toward a Preemptive Social Enterprise is a book on the future of business and social impact, which aims to introduce strategic foresight to the social sector.

The Collaborator

Version 2.0

A 36-page toolkit designed to unite teams around a shared goal, reflect on their work, and build empathy for the diverse mindsets that exist within a group.

First 50 Days

Version 1.0

A 50-day plan for entrepreneurs to go from idea to execution, including methods for identifying a problem, building a prototype, and getting feedback.

Give All

Version 2.0

A series of 10 design strategy toolkits and 25 worksheets that teach you how to build a brand, create a digital presence, and better position an organization.

Make It Remote

Version 1.0

A survival guide to implementing remote work for your business, including suggested tools, resources, and tips and tricks for time management, facilitation, and more.

MOOZ

Version 1.0

The Zoom scavenger hunt game. In a race against the clock, players compete to see who can earn the most points across five levels of play. Can you get a perfect score?

Productive Enough

Version 1.0

Productive Enough shares 8 mindful productivity and time management tricks developed to help you get more things done, while also keeping stress to a minimum.

The Responsible Brand

Version 1.0

52 pages of activities and insights to help you define the powerful trifecta of a Responsible Brand: Organizational Culture, Business Strategy and Brand Marketing.

The Runway

Version 1.0

Finance for freelancers. Take control of your small business with our easy-to-use spreadsheet, pricing calculator, and best practices from industry leaders.

Understanding & Managing Bias

Version 1.0

22 pages of step-by-step activities on the relationship between empathy and bias. Learn where bias comes from, and begin your journey to unlearn.

Untitled: A Naming Toolkit

Version 1.0

This toolkit is designed to ease the process of generating a new name for your business, project, or other initiative, by breaking things down into simple steps.