OUGD501 - Study Task 6 - Initial Concept / Mock Up ideas

Initial Concepts

From research it was found that a popular creative thinking tool across disciplines within design was Brainstorming. It was also found that many of the other creative thinking techniques are actually part of or used as a tool within brainstorming. Mindmapping, although a technique within brainstorming has a specific visual and rules to adhere to to make it an effective creative thinking technique. This was researched as well as there are different qualities to mindmapping which is mainly an individual technique compared with brainstorming which is supposed to be a group activity.

Initial Ideas

Idea 1 - Physical mindmapping tool 

Aim: to make the process of mindmapping a more flexible and adaptable tool suitable for group brainstorming and individual projects.

- this would be adaptable for different projects 
- avoids the idea of being neat 
- a physical tool that can be reused 
- markers for different parts rather than lines 

- What stage of Idea Generation does it help?

Reference: What is the Design Process? Why is it helpful? - this would fall under Brainstorm and Analyse Ideas stage which involves sketching, making and studying information and data collected to see how it could influence the design 
Reference: The Design Process: What is the Double Diamond? - this would fall under the Define stage of the design process in which the brief is defined through asking questions of the information collected and the Develop stage where ideas are made but also refined.   
Reference: Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals 2009 - this would come under the Represent stage of the Idea Generation process in which ideas are conceptualised through physical things as well as word lists etc. It could also be used within the Refine stage as a way of evaluating and reducing ideas. 
Reference: Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals 2009 - this would be used in the Represent phase in which ideas are generated and the Refine phase which evaluates these ideas

Idea 2 - Workbook for Research Design Process 

Aim: to enable designers to bring together a body of research as a basis for idea generation

- research tool 
- all in one place 
- allows for the investigation of the topic / project 
- would encourage discovery around the topic and prompt ways of finding / collecting information
- encourage people to document and collect things around the subject 
- allows for the immersion in research / inspiration which will act as a basis for idea generation

- What stage of Idea Generation does it help?

Reference: What is the Design Process? Why is it helpful? - this idea would fall under Defining the problem and Collecting Information Stages where information is gather as a basis for inspiration in the Brainstorm and Analyse Ideas stage
Reference: The Design Process: What is the Double Diamond? - this would fall under the Discover and Define stages which involves defining the brief collecting information for insight and considering this information.
Reference: Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals 2009 - this would fall under the Inspiration phase which is needed throughout Idea Generation which includes being immersed in relevant information and reflecting on this. It would also be part of the Research phase in which a body of information is collected to help identify possible solutions.

Idea 3 - Image based card set to trigger associations

Aim: To use images and symbols as a visual stimulus to link to the current project and create the means for associations and new ideas in a brainstorming setting.

- uses free association as a way of considering how the symbols relate to the project
- symbols have existing meaning which act as a trigger 
- coloured images would be more engaging 
- could be used for group and individual brainstorming / reflection 
- these would aim to help the user reflect on the effectiveness of their initial ideas in relation to the brief

- What Stage of Idea Generation does it help?

Reference: What is the design Process? Why is it helpful? - this would fall under the Improve stage which helps to refine and clarify ideas and seeing which aspects are relevant to the original brief and feedback as well as the Define the Problem Stage where the brief is fully understood which would then act as a framework for the Collect Information Stage where relevant information is compiled.
Reference: The Design Process: What is the Double Diamond? - this would fall under the Develop stage in which ideas ad concepts are developed, tested, iterated and refined.
Reference: Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals 2009 - this would be used in the Refine phase in which ideas are evaluated and reduced based on their relevance

Idea 4 - Verb based card set to trigger associations 

Aim: to consider the given verbs in relation to the project in a brainstorming setting.

- provides triggers for ideas 
- uses provocation / random input to lead to different results 
- uses free association as a way of considering what relates to the project through the use of verbs

- What stage of Idea Generation does it help?

Reference: The Design Process: What is the Double Diamond? - this would help with the Develop stage in which ideas are created and reflected on in relation to the original brief
Reference : What is the Design Process? Why is it helpful? - this would help with the Brainstorm and Analyse ideas stage in which ideas are generated through various methods whilst also possibly being used in the Improve stage in which ideas are refined based on the original brief.
Reference: Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals 2009 - it would be useful in the Represent Phase in which ideas are generated physically or written and the Refine Phase in which ideas are considered and evaluated  

Development

Rather than having just verbs for these cards it was considered different questions could written that encourage the audience to think about the different aspects of a project and how their work or brief relates to these. It would act as a brainstorming tool too allow the audience to consider different aspects of a project which would provide a basis for idea generation.

There would be different categories of cards which would then have a series of questions relating to the topic. Topics would include things such as client, message , audience etc.

Extra cards could be included to allow the audience to write their own questions.

There could also be other cards e.g. effective , improve, prioritise which would allow the audience to review their ideas, prioritise aspects of project etc.