Learning Resources
Lesson
Creativiity
Identifying solution options is essentially an idea generation process. The purpose of the process is to identify as many different ideas as you can. It is important to do this without judging the ideas. Must idea generation methods (strategies) work best when more than one person is involved. One persons ideas sparks different ideas in the next person, and so on. It is also important to treat it as a serious activity, but one you can have fun with. In other words, the purpose and outcomes of the activity are serious, but the process can be a lot of fun.
The process of generating different ideas for solutions is often called ideation. The term is used for a group of methods used to generate ideas. Ideation methods involve creative thinking. We usually try to find the 'right answer' by using deductive or convergent thinking. This has been referred to as logical or vertical thinking. Deductive thinking is essential for many things, but it is not helpful for generating design options. For creative thinking to work, there must be no right or wrong answers - just ideas. This is part of what is known as divergent thinking. Ideation methods include:
- Lateral thinking. Lateral thinking involves identifying the dominant idea in a situation, then looking outside that idea for new possibilities. Once the dominant idea is identified, then it is possible to find different ways of looking at the problem.
- Analogies. Analogies are similarities between unlike things. Making an analogy involves identifying what is common between two completely different things.
- Brainstorming. Brainstorming requires two or more people. An exchange of ideas is used to generate the development of more ideas. Brainstorming is open-ended since all ideas are accepted without judgment. Imagination and acceptance of new ideas are essential. Criticism is not allowed. Ideas are evaluated after the session. More ideas are better than fewer. Group ideation is better because of the group dynamic. A specific (usually 20-30 minutes) time limit works better.
- Synectics. Synectics is a method of changing one's perspective or outlook. It enables one to view a problem in a new way by making the strange or unusual seem familiar and the familiar seem strange. One method is to imagine that you are the product (solution). Two questions need to be answered, "who do I affect?" and, "who affects me?". By working with others, these questions can lead to different ways of looking at the problem and the solution.
- Sketching and Doodling. Sketching and Doodling are techniques for putting ideas on paper very quickly. Sketching is freehand drawing which follows the rules for technical drawings. It includes techniques for orthographic and pictorial drawing, including isometrics. Doodling tends to be more freeform, but it can include sketching techniques. Both are basic to the language of designers.
- Incubation. Incubation is the process of allowing enough time for ideas to form. Some good ideas are of the Eureka! variety, but most are not. They take time to formulate. Often this processing occurs when we are not deliberately thinking about the ideas. After a period of absence from the problem, new fresh ideas often occur.
How many Options?
The purpose of ideation is to generate as many different ideas as possible. It is important to do this without criticizing any of the ideas, regardless of how offbeat or silly they are. As you go through the process, each idea leads to other ideas. More ideas mean that some of them will be better ideas. As a rule of thumb, you need at least 5, completely different, good ideas after the impossible ones are discounted.
Further Information
For additional information on Ideation, try these resources
Activity
Activity
Actions you need to take
Conduct an ideation process to identify possible solution options
Develop as many ideas as you can. Record the ideas in the appropriate places in the table the portfolio file designstage2/d2-part4.htm
Publish your portfolio
Publish you portfolio to you portfolio web site. Notify your instructor