Week Five - Thoughts on Ideas
Defining methods of thinking, curiosity and insight.
Reflections on the lecture
This weeks lecture by Susanna Edwards explores the constructs of thinking and generating ideas and how is has developed over the years.
Linear design process
In the 1960s Bruce Archer played a key role in the design methods movement, he decided to create a simple linear diagram. The idea was to make the process more systematic, to turn the creative process into a more scientific one. These diagrams are split into three different phases: analytic, creative and executive.
However, in the last 40 years linear formats such as these have been widely criticised, as many believed it was just too simple. It assumed that creative problems could be solved in one go and that it didn’t consider other competing factors or leave room for reflection.
Double diamond process model
Discover - This is the start of the design process; the initial ideas and exploration stage. During this phase you can brainstorm initial ideas, conduct research, collect data and use this to form your ideas and concepts.
Define - The next step is define, this is where ideas are narrowed down and there is a clear way forward. This phases allows you to review and select ideas, the findings from the discover stage will analysed to reach a clear workable brief.
Develop - Following on from the define stage is the develop stage, this is the first step in the solution space where ideas are tested and developed. There will be prototypes built and the concepts believed to address the problems will be refined.
Deliver - The final step is the delivery; the final product is delivered to the consumer and launched in the relevant markets. The concept is taking through the final rounds of testing before it is released to the consumer. Once the product is delivered the collection of feedback begins, the feedback is used to improve future versions of the project.
The six thinking hats
The ‘six thinking hats’ was an approach to creative thinking written by psychologist and philosopher Edward De Bono. It’s a technique that gets you to approach an issue from all possible angles by trying on six metaphorical hats. It forces you to explore a range of different perspectives and carefully consider each one. By the time you’ve ‘tried on’ each of the six hats you should have broad range of insights that will help you decide your next steps.
The divided brain
Ian McGilchrist’s talk on the ‘the divided brain’ looks at the different roles our left and right sides of the brain play on our perception of the world around us. He explains that the left hemisphere focuses on the details, static and the lifeless; the left side is described as ‘closed’. Whereas, the right hemisphere focuses on the broader picture the individual, the evolving and incarnate; the right side is described as ‘open’. Both sides of the brain present different views on the world, they come together to present something new.
White hat - The white hat represents facts and information gathering. It can help you think about how information can help you tackle a particular problem. Think about the information you have already gathered but also about the information you are missing, where can you go to get it.
Yellow hat - The yellow hat represents benefits, optimism and feasibility. It is the optimistic but also the logical hat, it looks at problems in a positive light and considers the benefits and how feasible this might be.
Black hat - The black hat represents caution, criticism and assessing the risks. This allows you to use logic and critical judgement by encouraging you to consider any weak points in an idea and how you can avoid or counter them.
Green hat - The green hat represents creativity, new ideas and possibilities. This is the hat of creative thinking, it allows you to explore a range of ideas and possible ways forward. Every idea should be heard and not criticised at this stage.
Blue hat - The blue hat represents process control, reviewing your thinking process. This encompasses the whole thinking process, it allows you to control your thinking and managing the decision making process. You look for summaries and reach conclusions.
Red hat - The red hat represents feelings, intuitions and emotions. This allows you to express your feelings and instincts without having to justify them with a rational explanation.
Bruce Archer’s design process
In 2005 the Design Council decided to create their own simple, graphical way of describing the design process; the double diamond process. This model divides the creative process into four key phases: discover, define, develop and deliver. The first two steps (discover & define) represent the first stage also known as the problem space and the last two steps (develop & deliver) represent the second stage which is known as the solution space.
Brief 2 research / inspiration
For this brief we have to create an informatic ‘process model’ which summarises the design skills we currently possess, the gaps we wish to acquire and how you intend to do this. The format is up to us it could be: a schematic, a typographic statement, a time-based narrative or a practical tool.
The first thing I am going to do is find out the definition of ‘process models.’
Process modelling
Process modelling is another way of visually representing the process and operations of a business. It describes the flow of work or activities, usually in a graphic format, that contribute to accomplishing a specific goal. They also have a clear beginning and end, intended outcome, order of activities, and different results based on the decisions that you make through the course of the process. Examples of process models include flowcharts, process maps, swim lanes, process trees, and state transition diagrams which all allow for unique ways to represent different types of processes.
Initial ideas
The thing that stuck out at me when reading about process models was a ‘process tree.’ I think it could be quite interesting to take the design skills and turn them into an illustration of tree. For example, the design skills that I am most proficient with would go at the bottom as the roots as roots are strong and keep the tree standing. Then the skills that I am good at but could do with some work can go up the trunk as they also play an important role in keeping the tree standing. Finally, the skills that I wish to develop will be the branches at the top of the tree.
The second idea I had was going back to the ‘double diamond process model’ that was spoken about in the lecture this week. I could use this diamond design but change the content to fit with the brief. For example, I could split my design skills into four sections from the ones I feel I am most proficient in to the ones I feel need improving the most. Then the arrows that are used in the original double diamond process model can represent how the skills you already possess can often influence and help you when it comes to learning and developing new skills.
Example of a process tree
Double Diamond process model
Brief 2 development
I sketched up my two ideas so I could get an idea of which one I prefer and want to take forward. See below:
I do like the potential that both these ideas have however, I think I am going to use the ‘tree process’ idea. This is because the ‘double diamond’ model already exists so although I’m changing the content the design already exists. So using the tree design is more original and I think it looks more interesting.