Brainstorming Design Concepts - Readying for the Design Competition
In the dynamic world of UX and learning experience design, ideation plays a pivotal role. This process, which involves generating, developing, and communicating new ideas, is an essential tool for designers seeking to create innovative and user-friendly solutions.
Targeted innovation, while focusing on a specific solution, often navigates a path that is poorly understood. However, ideation, one of the most enjoyable aspects of design, can help illuminate the way forward. This creative process, however, can be challenging, especially when done alone.
Ideation is often best done in groups, but can also be carried out by an individual. Regardless of the setting, it's crucial to minimise distractions during ideation sessions. Phones and laptops should be turned off, and the door should be locked or a "Do not disturb" sign should be placed outside.
In the initial stages, the goal is to generate many ideas without using prior context. Encouraging quantity over quality initially helps overcome the fear of sharing "bad" ideas and stimulates creative thinking. All participants should withhold criticism or evaluation during this phase, creating a psychologically safe environment where team members feel free to propose bold, innovative concepts.
Structured techniques, such as mind mapping, Design Studio, Crazy 8s, SCAMPER, and Lightning Decision Jam, are effective tools for ideation. These methods, when used correctly, can help teams maximise creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. Rotating facilitators or trying different brainstorming methods can inject fresh energy and prevent creative ruts.
When ideation gets stuck, techniques such as breaking the law, comparisons, being poetic, asking "how and why?", laddering, stealing ideas, and inverting the problem can be used to stimulate creativity. It's also beneficial to employ visual tools like sticky notes, digital whiteboards, or mind mapping software to make ideas tangible and visible, which aids collaboration and pattern recognition.
Overcoming creative blocks is essential for productive ideation sessions. Changing the medium or environment, trying collaborative workshops, encouraging individual and parallel work, time-boxing activities, revisiting and refining old ideas, and taking breaks can help break through creative blocks.
By following these guidelines and leveraging structured ideation techniques, UX and learning experience design teams can foster a creative, inclusive, and innovative environment, ultimately leading to the development of ground-breaking solutions.
In the realm of ideation, classifying innovative solutions could be extended to lifestyle and home-and-garden enhancements. To brainstorm creative ideas in these areas, structured techniques like mind mapping, Design Studio, or Crazy 8s can be employed in a psychologically safe environment, allowing for the generation of a multitude of ideas without criticism or evaluation.
