Design Process

Design Process

1) generation

Design Process

1) generation2) selection

Design Process

1) generation2) selection3) alternatives

Design Process

1) generation 2) selection 3) alternatives4) refinement

Design Process

1) generation2) selection3) alternatives4) refinement5) comp

Design Process

1) generation2) selection3) alternatives4) refinement5) comp6) feedback

Design Process

1) generation2) selection3) alternatives4) refinement5) comp6) client feedback7) revisions

Design Process

1) generation2) selection3) alternatives4) refinement5) comp6) client feedback7) revisions8) final

Stage 1: Generation- Think “laterally”- “concept” stage- rough as you want-- no one else needs see it

Lateral Thinking

Edward DeBono

invented the term 'lateral thinking' in 1967.

There are several ways of defining lateral thinking, ranging from the technical to the illustrative.

"You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper"

This means that trying harder in the same direction may not be as useful as changing direction.

Effort in the same direction (approach) will not necessarily succeed.

"Lateral Thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions"

Can be better understood by comparing it to linear thinking

Linear: move sequentially forward from one step to another, each step building on the one before (eg math)

Lateral: sequential steps not necessary, sometimes one step is “wrong” but suggests a correct alternative.Eg: insulin

Linear: because sequential steps are deemed “correct”, end result is believed to be prove “right”, but basic premise may be wrong

Lateral: is about questioning that initial assumption

Lateral thinking can never substitute for linear thinking, both are necessary.

Lateral thinking enhances problem solving by questioning assumptions and offering choices.

How can we stimulate lateral thinking?

By consciously following certain steps

Challenge assumptions

- breaking out of old ideas/assumptions forces new ways to look at a problem

- dot exercise

Join these dots with 4 straight,connected lines

What was the assumption?

Before any design project, question

What are the implicit assumptions I’m making?

Generate Alternatives

- Not being satisfied with the initial, obvious solution, forces oneself to generate alternatives- often a genuinely new idea is formed, not possible using “linear” means- square exercise

Divide this square into 4 identical pieces

A principle discovered:Any line, symmetrical about axis and drawn through

axis will generate identical shapes

Before starting concept stage, decide on an arbitrary number of concepts and don’t stop till you get there.

NEVER be satisfied with your first idea (though it’s OK to come back to it AFTER you come up with many more).

Brainstorming

- Working in groups facilitates free association Suspend judgment- At the idea generation stage, don’t judge the ideas, a “bad” one may suggest a “good” one - Criticism/judgment come later in the process

- Bathroom lock exercise

Example of Linear Thinking

Portable sound systemLinear Solution: How can we make a stereo portable enough that an individual can carry it?

Example of Lateral Thinking

Portable sound systemLateral Solution: What are the needs of a portable sound system?

Questioning Assumptions- go to true basic needs- portability, sound quality, sound necessary for user only

Stage 2: Selection

Now, once we have many alternatives, we use critical mind to judge effectiveness of designs. - does it “solve” design problem- does it satisfy formal design criteria (rhythm, balance, proportion, etc)- intuition: is it “working”- refer back to research

Stage 3: Generate alternatives within idea

- once you’ve narrowed it down to one idea, generate alternatives around that idea

- play with elements

- can be one of the most important stages

- “push” the idea

Stage 4: Refinement

- pick the best of the alternatives and “tweak” it- type at the top, at the bottom, on the side- all variations

Stage 5: final outcome

- comp?- proof of concept- scenario video- layout- suitable to show a client to sell idea

Stage 6: Client feedback

- client discusses “likes” and “dislikes”, areas to change- I will try to satisfy role of client, and suggest areas to improve

Stage 7: Revisions

- correct/change as requested by client

- repeat stages 5 ,6, and 7 as needed

Stage 8: Final

- in the real world, it would go to to press/web/development- in our case, you hand it in