The Oblique Strategies, created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt in 1975, were designed as a creative problem-solving tool, originally intended for artists, musicians, and designers facing creative blocks. The deck consists of a set of thought-provoking statements or instructions, each printed on a separate card.
This version contains 128 oblique strategies focussed on marketing.
Key Principles Behind Oblique Strategies
Slowing Down Decision-Making – They encourage deep thought rather than immediate reaction, often preventing knee-jerk responses.
Disruption of Conventional Thinking – Many cards introduce ambiguity or paradoxes, forcing users to reconsider their default approaches.
Acceptance of Uncertainty – The strategies encourage embracing the unknown rather than seeking immediate clarity.
Encouraging Experimentation – The cards act as creative prompts rather than rigid instructions, leaving room for personal interpretation.
Why They Work
The deck taps into cognitive biases and mental inertia, helping to break habitual thought patterns by introducing randomness and constraint-based thinking.
This marketing-focused alternative follows the same philosophy, but applies it to strategic marketing and marketing measurement, challenging professionals to rethink strategies, challenge assumptions, and uncover new insights.
How to Use
It is simple – follow this link, and you will be taken to the deck.
Using the Oblique Marketing Strategies digital flip deck is simple—just click the card to reveal a new strategy. Each prompt is designed to challenge assumptions, spark fresh thinking, and help you navigate marketing roadblocks. When faced with a strategic dilemma, draw a card and apply its insight to your situation, even if the connection isn’t immediately obvious. Use it solo for deep reflection or in team workshops to inspire discussion and creative problem-solving. The key is to embrace the unexpected—let each strategy guide you toward new perspectives and unconventional solutions.
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