Ideation as thinking model

Design ideation, where 'idea' is understood as a basic element of thought could be perceived as a combination of first and second order, or level thinking. That is, from first thought that springs to mind ('surface level thinking') to thinking about the consequences of the idea ('deep level thinking'). Or, to use the analogy of a two-stage explorative rocket, from initial ignition, or spark of ideas, which is fast and has immediate impact, to a sustained effort to develop and effectively communicate the idea bringing the idea into orbit, so to speak, for further discussion and decision making (third level thinking) . The second stage would typically need more than one written sentence or a single rough sketch. Accordingly, the ubiquitous 'brain storming' session would be considered first order thinking whereas desgin ideation would entail second order thinking too. Or, to use another metaphor, from ideas surfing to ideas diving.

Ideation from home

The free flow of ideas highlights how ideation realistically doesn't only happen in the studio, the office or at home, but in many 'other places'. But working remotely from home has been criticised for reducing new ideas and innovation. That is, or so the argument goes, work becomes more siloed, close team interaction diminish over time and new ideas struggle to get in whilst groupthink flourish. Accordingly, to counter remote working from home, people should be back in the office where they can see each other in person, talk to each other and connect face-to-face. Yet the trend to work from home seems strong, facilitated by technology, from video conferencing to Cloud collaboration. But the question remains; what happens to ideation in the working from home scenario. Because ideas are not just abstract but visual and concrete too which call for diverse ways of working and communicating including hands-on activities and person-to-person collaboration.