Ideator roles

Design ideation can be seen as generating, developing and communicating ideas, and so the corresponding roles of the ideator would be that of generator, developer and communicator of ideas. And one may add a fourth role, that is, that of critic, or rather inner critic. For the designer as ideator, these roles often role into one. That is, the designer generates the idea, from a great variety of (re)sources, then develops the idea, that is, grow, evolve or expand the idea, and finally communicates, or shares the idea with others.The fourth role, that of inner critic, may run throughout the ideation process, a balancing role as the ideator should manage their self-criticism so as not harm the desire to succeed. However, there is potentially a fifth role for the ideator, that is, the role of realising, or implementing the idea to what then becomes a working idea. And to execute the idea would be either on the ideator's own accord or with the help of others. The designer-maker would exemplify the ideator playing all the roles whereas the "Jack-of all ideas" may typify the ideator as foremost generator and communicator of ideas.

Daydreaming

Daydreaming or mind-wandering is often seen as a spontaneous, unfocused mental state without deliberate direction - in contrast to imagination regarded as a more focused, structured, and purposeful cognitive process. And so, if you get stuck on a particular problem, say, it may be a good thing to take a break from the problem and allow the mind to wander and daydream for a time, to let your subconscious work the problem. Moreover, by stepping away from the task in front of you, chances are you may generate creative ideas that help solve the problem at hand. Although daydreaming may at first be seen as distraction from the present, that is, inattention - and daydreaming does not necessarily lead to creative manifestations - it may nevertheless help problem-solving as it frees up space for the mind to rest and wander. Allowing daydreaming then, can be intentional, also known as "positive constructive daydreaming". Deliberate daydreaming may sound counter-intuitive but in practice may take the form of finding space and time for sketching or doodling to allow the mind to roam or wander. Doodling then becomes a technique, a tool, or practice that supports daydreaming, or out-of-the box, creative thinking. In addition, daydreaming through doodling may give a sense of professional identification with the work - particularly when generative AI may reduce the capacity to daydream.