Ideation ABC

Design ideation, in appealing to pluralism of form, suggests multiplicity of thinking and doing, within, between or without disciplines, also expressed in terms of Assemblage, Bricolage, or Collage, a kind of creative ABC which questions the commodification of word and image in a neoliberal economic gloabalisation. But when ABC is applied to product innovation, and hence marketisation, ideation is modified, its focus shifting from a critical to technical or developmental perspective.

Predictive ideation?

Most innovations are incremental rather than radical, that is, innovation resulting from improvement to existing designs rather than abrupt change. This may suggest, where innovation is primarily a rational problem-solving process with an emphasis on business viability of the product, that designers be guided by algorithms to optimise innovation. Designers, accordingly, would compile a history of ideas taking as its basic unit of analysis the unit-idea, or the individual concept, then instruct algorithms to search for indirect and non-obvious correlations in the data to help identify and develop innovative ideas. For example, a US website developer has developed an algorithm to analyse and rate pop music providing predictive insights into "number one" record hits. The algorithmic approach to innovation, however, is not new - for example, the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), or multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) in a range of industries, and the application of algorithms is now part of everyday life, from internet searches to financial trading to climate modelling. Although computation cannot fully replace activities that require human judgement, personal preference or true decisions, algorithms make more kinds of knowledge codifiable and therefore may help advance innovation processes and reduce dependence on solely empirical or experimental means of generating design data. In this sense, algorithms can function as an ideation tool.

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.