I like to start with some keywords. You can either use mind association or use a dictionary.
I encourage students to develope an image bank which they can then develope by mixing keywords and mind maps with.
Then i like to target students with the challenge of responding to their surroundings as a given space.
I then pile on a load of reading and share my own work and examples.
All of the above contextualises your work and then you are granted leave to marry mind body and soul to physically draw paint or fabricate something unique to yourself.