OUGD501 - Study Task 7 - Project Statement / Evaluation

Study Task 7 - Project Statement / Evaluation 

The essay looked at ‘the effect of democratisation within design on creativity and the changing view on design practice’. Within the essay it was discussed how the democratisation of technology and design tools had led to changes in the way design practice is being viewed. Flieschmann (2015) suggests that the democratistaion of technology allows anyone to become a designer and further describes how through access to technology the skills of the designer are being devalued. It was found that this was leading to a shift in the way in which design practice was considered, from a technical skill to a way of thinking, with Taylor (2016) suggesting that design needs to be redefined as a way of thinking that solves problems creatively rather than viewing design solely as a technical skill. It was also highlighted that there is a strong need for creativity within various sectors including business, the economy and design industries with Jagodzinski (in Addison and Burgess 2013) highlighting how design industries look for people who are creative. This need has led to an increased interest in creativity research and tools that aide the creative process. A large part of creativity that is valued within different industries is being a successful idea generator as Monahan (2002) suggests when he states that to be individually successful in business you have to be an effective idea generator. It was found that creative thinking tools were being used to promote idea generation in a variety of ways and by using different theories and techniques, however not all off these would successfully aide and work in conjunction with the design process.

With this in mind the practical project aims to aide idea generation within the design process in a way that is applicable to a range of briefs. Satell (2014) implies the need for a design process with a purpose, understanding of the domain and other areas to enhance creativity. The workbook concurs with this enabling users to gather understanding around a range of topics relevant to the design process and specific project, allowing for a firm basis from which ideas can be generated and creativity increased. Method Kit was found to be the most functional tool alongside the design process, explored within the essay. This was a brainstorming tool which allows users to define, aide and develop a project with cards that highlight key aspects of the design process. Within the workbook identifying key research topics which were appropriate to considerations around a project e.g. context, client, audience etc, was important in making the design functional alongside the design process. Monahan (2002) implies that stimulating creativity is important, so the workbook aims to provide prompts for research gathering which then act as a foundation for relevant creativity and idea generation that is appropriate for the brief. The use of open questions in the design as a way of allowing varied responses to the collection of research, was influenced by the use of questions in The Creative Mind and Triggers Cards which use probing questions -  which Monahan (2002) suggests, allows things outside the known to be imagined - allowing them to be perceived and understood in different ways.