My thoughts so far are to make it a mandatory in-class thing during their work periods (spend the first 1/2 hour on your sketchbook before anything else). I've also done themed drawing sessions before like "furniture based on sea creatures" and that might make things more interesting.
I'm sure I could come up with lists of themes and lists of products and then do some random mash-ups (vehicles based on insects, kitchen tools with a space theme, etc.)
I love a mash up decided by the dice gods.
What about a "pick one of these three" exercise where you offered them the random mashup, a small still life set up, and a "reinterpret this existing photo/design"
The "reinterpret this" thing could be good. Part of this is moving away from observational drawing and into creating from their own imaginations so probably not still life.
I might be able to get a collection of the briefs we've given to the artists who do our interiors and covers for Evil Hat if that sounds useful.
*Probably* too specific but appreciate it.