Chapter 159

Advanced Constraint Techniques

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Technique 1: The Constraint Ladder

Start minimal, add constraints based on outputs:

```text Level 1: "Write about success" [Generic output]

Level 2: "Write about success without using successful people as examples" [More interesting]

Level 3: "Write about success using only failure stories" [Unique angle]

Level 4: "Write about success using only failure stories from fictional characters" [Highly creative]

Level 5: "Write about success using only failure stories from fictional characters, told as recipes" [Breakthrough creative] ```text

Technique 2: The Constraint Collision

Combine opposing constraints:

```text "Create something that is: - Extremely simple yet deeply complex - Instant yet timeless - Local yet global - Expensive yet free - Digital yet physical"

Result: NFT art drops at physical locations ```text

Technique 3: The Cascading Constraint

Each solution creates the next constraint:

```text 1. "Design a logo using only circles" → Creates circular logo

2. "Now make it work in square spaces" → Adapts circular design

3. "Now make it recognizable at 10 pixels" → Simplifies further

4. "Now make it work as sound" → Creates audio brand

5. "Now unify all versions" → Revolutionary multi-sensory brand ```text

Technique 4: The Constraint Swap

Replace expected constraints with unexpected ones:

```text Instead of: "Limited budget" Try: "Unlimited budget but only for things starting with 'B'"

Instead of: "Quick timeline" Try: "Must take exactly 37 days"

Instead of: "Small team" Try: "Must involve exactly 100 people for 1 hour each" ```text