Unit 3: Idea Generation & Concept Development
The chapter focuses on the critical tools of idea generation and concept development, emphasizing the balance between creativity and structure. It introduces techniques such as SCAMPER and mind-mapping for divergent thinking, along with visual methods like thumbnail sketches and mood boards for conveying emotions in design. Decision matrices provide a means to evaluate concepts, culminating in practical applications through a case study on redesigning a school backpack.
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Sections
Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.
What we have learnt
- Systematic techniques for broadening idea spaces using SCAMPER and mind-mapping.
- Rapid visualization of alternatives through structured thumbnail sketching.
- Curating compelling aesthetic narratives via mood boards grounded in semiotic theory.
- Objective selection of optimal solutions using weighted decision matrices and sensitivity analysis.
Key Concepts
- -- Divergent Thinking
- A creative process focused on generating a high volume of ideas, minimizing critique in early stages to explore possibilities.
- -- SCAMPER
- A heuristic tool that prompts exploration of alternatives through seven specific actions: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Other Use, Eliminate, and Reverse.
- -- Mindmapping
- A visual technique for organizing thoughts and ideas around a central concept, leveraging imagery and words to enhance memory and creativity.
- -- Thumbnail Sketches
- Quick, small-scale drawings that help visualize ideas rapidly, supporting iteration and refinement in the design process.
- -- Mood Boards
- A collage of images, materials, and texts used to convey the intended mood and aesthetic of a design project.
- -- Decision Matrix
- A tool for evaluating different options against set criteria, facilitating objective decision-making based on quantifiable factors.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.