To sketch something out

To sketch something out is etymologically based on the literal meaning of sketch; to draw quickly and with only a few details. But to sketch out something does not require an actual pen & paper sketch. To create a rough idea, plan or image of something, or to make connections between ideas, a variety of means (ideation tools) can be used to good effect, including words, computing, and sketch modelling.

Crowdfunding ideas

Designers naturally want to realise their ideas. But getting funded for a new product or service can be a problem as big firms or institutions, unlike start-ups, seek to minimise risk. An alternative to traditional funding from investors or lenders is crowdfunding, or the concept of collecting funds through small contributions from many parties using social media. Kickstarter, since 2009, is the largest crowdfund platform currently in operation although so far only open to US and UK creators. Recently successfully funded projects include a 3D printing pen, a graphic novel, a laser bike light, and a wristwatch.

Design Ideation and language

Wittgenstein holds that ordinary language is fine as it is, that is, suited to its everyday use of facilitating communication between people. For example, when people talk about knowing things, in most contexts it is perfectly obvious what they mean. But when faced with an an abstract concept such as "knowledge" people might get confused because the essence of knowledge is difficult to identify. But this is because philosophers have abstracted a word from the contexts in which it has a function and find that, outside these contexts, the word loses its meaning. If philosophers were careful about how they use language - words are not defined by reference to the objects they designate, nor by the mental representations one might associate with them, but by how they are used - and Wittgenstein treats philosophy as an activity, he argues that philosophical confusion would cease to exist. Moreover, Wittgenstein's point is not that it is impossible to define "knowledge", but that we don't have a definition, and we don't need one, because even without the definition, we use the word successfully. In design activity, this may suggest that by using language carefully designers would avoid any confusion with words such as "design thinking" or "wicked problems". Wittgenstein, Ludwig (1953/2001). Philosophical Investigations. Blackwell Publishing.

Ideation and action

Ideation is about thinking both intuitively and logically. It's about ideas and the quest for meaning of the "here & now" as well as venturing beyond it. Ideation is about mental and emotional energy that needs to find an outlet propelling us into action. In this, communication is key.

Time & effort

A cynic might argue that many design ideas amount to little more than reinventing the wheel. Someone has already solved the problem you are trying to tackle. All you have to do is to do a data search to find out. Yet there may be no substitute for a lesson learned first-hand, through trial and error. But you have to have the time and the energy to put yourself through whatever it takes to gain all this experience. There's much at stake for an ideator to take an idea to fruition.

Newness

“I'm a pure designer – what interests me is newness. I'm always curious how to express what I love and what I'm searching for in a different way, with a different vocabulary. Fashion is not reinventing itself every season; it's almost the same – but only almost. The variation is about how you put one thing together in a different way and you create a surprise – a new shape or a new kind of beauty. That's what I'm searching for every time.” Pierre Hardy, Fashion designer.

Ideation, innovation, and improvement

Often so called innovations are not true innovations in the sense of novel ideas or methods but rather improvement to or incremental change to existing technology or reinterpretation of existing forms or different ways of using material. But weather innovation or improvement, ideation plays its role informed, inspired or guided by precedent, memory and reflection. Moreover, when change takes place, simile and metaphor used in the ideation process may help making the unfamiliar familiar.