The first week of the 501 module was all about ideation and coming up with ideas. This was particularly useful to me as I am struggling to come up with solid ideas which I could carry over to become my major project. I related to the phrase of ‘blank page syndrome’ that was used during the presentation. My hope is that using some of the methods covered in the lecture, will help me start coming up with ideas and kick start my major project.

Methods of Ideation

  1. Worst Way: pretty straightforward, think of the worst possible solutions to the problem. Some benefits of this are that it relieves anxiety around ideas being good enough by flipping the context
  2. Moodboards: using tools like Google Images, Pinterest, Niice and Designspiration create some visual inspiration
  3. Sketching & Notes: these are quick and very visual. They are easy to interpret, as well as edit and add to. It allows you to get lots of ideas down and lots of iterations
  4. Mind Maps: it is a fast and visual method, which radiates from the central issue, along with logical associations
  5. Brainstorming: this is a spontaneous method and is useful when time is limited. It encourages discussion and free thinking, making it collaborative and results in unexpected ideas
  6. Connections: make the connections between the human need, target audience, medium, device etc. and the end product will be a solution
  7. Associations: this is where you choose a problem, pick a random word and mind map associated words. From here pick 4 and brainstorm as many ideas as possible based on the words, finishing by card sorting the results
  8. Negative Brainstorming: discover the negative or unintended consequences of a product
  9. What if: simply ask questions or re-phrasing a design problem with different words can take the onus off expecting a solution and allow you to explore possibilities
  10. How do: break a topic of problem into smaller pieces. For example, rather than brainstorming a big question, ask multiple, smaller questions that are easier to answer
  11. SCAMPER: a comprehensive list of questions devised by Alex Osborn who was a pioneer of creative thinking and brainstorming.

Screenshot 2024-10-02 at 13.23.18.png

While these methods are great starting points, utilising AI and ChatGPT may be useful to get going.