Idea Generation

Design Process

Idea Generation Methods for Developing Design Concepts

• • • • • • •

Rule of the Design Universe #1

There is no light bulb!

• It’s easy to obtain 100 patents if you also have 5,000 unsuccessful inventions (T. Edison)

ITERATION

General Concepts • Lateral Thinking • Perseverance • Warming Up

Lateral Thinking • Resist the urge to pursue any one idea in detail

Needs assessment Performance criteria Idea generation Choosing from alternatives Detailing Fabrication Testing REVISIONS

Warming Up the Right Brain • • • •

Lists Word Games Solving Puzzles Magic Tricks and other games

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Lists • 20 ways to use a – spoon, burned out light bulb, rubber duck

• Letterman Lists

Games • Crosswords, Wheel of Fortune, cryptic crosswords, Who wants to be a millionaire? • Pictionary • Cranium • Brain teasers • Humour

– Top ten reasons to learn calculus

Methods • • • • • • •

Brainstorming Storyboarding Methods Random Words Analogy Reversal Checklists Idea Trees

Storyboard Methods • Individuals write ideas on cards • Cards displayed or circulated for building • Ideas synthesized into categories in a central location (storyboard) • Amenable to computer methods

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Random Words • Bumper Design

Analogies • State the need

– General Court-Marshall

• This situation is like ___________ .

Design Challenge • New approaches to automobile tires

Sole

Reverse Thinking • Exchange cause and effect • Reverse key verb

Design Challenge • Ways to save energy

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25 ways to save energy

Checklist

waste • • • • • • •

Adapt Modify Magnify Minify Substitute Rearrange Combine

Idea generation Design Quest: A device which moves a ball from the geometric centre of an imaginary 1m3 box to a point outside the box.

Performance criteria • • • •

hold the ball in place before release release the ball propel the ball guide the ball outside the box

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Idea Trees not hold ball fluid

solid

Idea generation no gravity inertia move box, leave ball propel see "propel" below release ball speed of light

magic manual release water oil

}

*

flush drain spill

set screw pin holder

gravity

cup claw tray washer net

drop

no guide hole in box box stationary, ball falls turntable guide

string wire mesh hairnet

platform

* “initiate ball motion”

pipes tubing ramp string sheet

counterweight plastic burlap

Idea generation propel ball

impact

linear momentum

solenoid spring magnets turntable "golf club" boot

angular momentum

air pressure

motor

float ball

carry ball

blower vacuum

burn

conveyor belt wormscrew pulleys gears water oil

flush drain spill

conveyor belt float (see above) claw

oxyacetylene torch

pour off residue

Rule of the Design Universe #2

exhaust fumes

remove slag

melt

croquet

see "guide" above

Idea generation destroy ball

slingshot

Everything can be improved

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