Community of ideas

Within the general framework of ideation, where intuition, information and matter converge, we find, with the emergence of new knowledge and cross-pollination of ideas from design and science, a community of ideas where there is not only variety of ideas, and rivalry between them, but also awareness and respect of how each idea fits into that community.

Idea prototyping

Prototyping, or modelling design ideas is evolving. Developing from the tradition of the crafts, prototyping in the digital age with the aid of modelling software can now be seen as both generative and dynamic, offering new ways of exploring and communicating feasibility of ideas, and whether in form or appearance (aesthetic model), or function (proof of concept) . The distinctions between analogue and digital idea prototyping, or the physical and virtual are dissolving to the point where they have now become outmoded terms in design ideation.

Ideation in the digital age

The digital age urges us to move fast forward. But technology does not neccessarily cut us off from traditional ideation tools such as pencil and paper that make for a gentler and more comfortable step into the future.

Ideation and listening skills

A sometimes overlooked or underestimated part of the ideation process is the designer's listening skills. By listening to and understanding the client's reasoning behind the design brief and how it was arrived at designers are in a better position to make sense of the client's needs and desires and respond in a language that is both imaginative and meaningful using an appropriate range of ideation tools. In short, designers can engage their imagination by taking the time to listen.

Ideas in waiting

Some ideas are ideas in waiting. They are in the grey zone between fiction and reality. We turn them into reality when we have the technological means to realise them. But the social, economic, and ethical conditions must be right too.

Design ideation as craft

Although ideas may occur serendipitously, at any time, and in many different places, developing and communicating ideas can be seen as craft which involves skilful use of ideation tools such as words, sketching, physical and digital modelling.

Computer-aided ideation (CAI)

Design computing now goes well beyond documentation and production needs. It includes innovation, simulation and digital fabrication that expands rather than reduces designers' creative options. In short, digital technology promotes experimentation and discovery, what I call Computer-aided ideation, CAI (Jonson 2005).

Designers who focus on innovation through analogue tools alone highlight knowledge and skills of computing technologies. For example: 'Computers arrived too late for me. I don't believe I can use them to their potential. The computer pushes for a rigour that is hard to include in research development; it can't accommodate the doubts that are necessary, and this can be difficult for creativity. I see the computer as another instrument complimentary to sketches, models, reading and so on - not an exclusive way of working'. Alvaro Siza, RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2009.