Idea Generation

Question 1

what must be done In order for ideas to be successful

Answer 1

• Ideas must address the brief
  
  • Ideas must be unique and diverse
  • Ideas must be explained using annotations. Notes about design factors, processes, materials and personal thoughts should be used
• Ideas must be presented using a range of graphic techniques (sketching, CAD, models etc).

Question 2

What are the six idea generation techniques?

Answer 2

• Morphological analysis
  
  • Brainstorming
• Pencil for a walk
• Technology Transfer -Repurposing technology from another product.
• Biomimicry - Finding and using ideas from nature
• Lateral thinking - thinking outside the box

Question 3

what are the key stages of pencil on a walk

Answer 3

• Draw a curvy line on your page which crosses itself at various points.
  
  • Select a few shapes from this and colour them in different colours.
• Use these shapes to help you to create your ideas.

Question 4

What is pencil for a walk?

Answer 4

This is a technique which involves drawing an unbroken line, often with rounded corners or edges, to help create unusual shapes to inspire a design.

Question 5

What is brainstorming?

Answer 5

Group activity where people focus on a specific problem and generate a large number of ideas in a short time.

Question 6

What are the key stages of brainstorming

Answer 6

• Planning — identify the purpose of the brainstorming session, consider the size of the group, invite suitable people to take part.
• Conducting — get group to rephrase the question, have a warm-up session, establish rules, set a time limit, avoid moments of silence and maintain momentum, record every thought.
• Summary — discuss most unusual ideas, disregard weakest ideas, and identify most promising ideas.

Question 7

What is morphological analysis

Answer 7

Morphological analysis is an structured idea generation method for exploring possible solutions to problems.

Question 8

What are the key stages of morphological analysis

Answer 8

• Planning - create a table analysis of problem/product, identify factors that will be/are important to solving the problem or improving the product, generate a range of different options for each factor, produce a matrix.
• Using - randomly or systematically select an option from each factor to produce different alternatives.
• Summary - disregard weakest ideas and identify most promising ideas.

Question 9

What are moodboards?

Answer 9

A mood board brings together images from a variety of sources used to help encourage new creative ideas. A mood board can also be a way of visual brainstorming which helps in the creation of new ideas.