Ideia Generation
Here is how I develop an idea into a product. Below are a set of tools to assist triggering ideas.
Morphological Matrix
A morphological matrix is a tool to stimulate triggers to generate ideas with. It works by breaking an idea or product into key areas then generating different images/tag lines for those key areas. In this example the product was "Rice Krispies."It was broken down into these key areas for development: |
Osborn's Checklist
Osborn’s checklist is a method created by Alex Osborn consisting of a list of associative ways to alter an existing idea or product. The list contains the following:
Osborn’s checklist is a method created by Alex Osborn consisting of a list of associative ways to alter an existing idea or product. The list contains the following:
Put to other uses
For what other things does it serve? As it is? If modified? |
Adapt to similar things
What does it look like? What other things serve the same purpose? What other ideas does it suggest? Do parallel ideas from the past exist? What can I copy? |
Modify
Change shape, color, smell, motion, meaning, angle |
Magnify
Add something, multiply, exaggerate, stronger, heavier, more time, more value |
Minimise
Leave out something, shorter, lighter, thinner, miniature, split up |
Substitute
Who else? What else? Other material, ingredient, place, time, method |
Rearrange
Components, deconstruct & reconstruct, transpose cause & effect |
Reverse
Opposite, backwards, upside down, invert, change positive & negative |
Combine
Combine ideas, units, benefits, purposes, blend, assemble |
Perspective
By changing our perspective we can see new ideas and ways of thinking. We need to be able to take on the mind set of someone else.
By changing our perspective we can see new ideas and ways of thinking. We need to be able to take on the mind set of someone else.
For this we can role play and get into character.
Look at the below picture of different hats. Imagine the owner of that had. What are they like? How would they perceive the world? |
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Questioning and Investigating
How?
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Why?
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Where?
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When?
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Who?
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Random Stimuli - Idea Generator
Another tool that can be great at making you think out side the box are random word generators. I use this iOS app that has a great user interface and is always in my pocket. There are also free online generators for example here. |
Word Association
These games are designed to allow us to explore ideas following trailers of connective thought patterns. From a known starting point to a unknown end with no one person in control of the outcome.
These games are designed to allow us to explore ideas following trailers of connective thought patterns. From a known starting point to a unknown end with no one person in control of the outcome.
Chinese whispers
The classic, start of with a word of phrase and secretly pass it round the group and see what we end up with. |
Word association
I start with a word and you must say something relating to that word. |
Random association
I start with a word and you must say the first thing that pops into your head. |
Non-association
I start with a word and you must say anything unrelated to that word. |
Opposite association
I start with a word and you must say something opposing my word. |
Story Telling
Give a single word or short sentence. One person starts, the next person continues the story, then the next and so on. Where will the story go? |
Attribute Listing
What do we know about the product? By listing what we know we may be able to find links between things, trigger new ideas, combine ideas, open new path ways. |
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Effective Brainstorming
I feel there are three main ways to conduct a brain storm and find that people naturally choose one of these ways. The most successful brainstorms use all three methods in a combination. Use of colour, high lighting and underlining will help organise any brainstorm.
I feel there are three main ways to conduct a brain storm and find that people naturally choose one of these ways. The most successful brainstorms use all three methods in a combination. Use of colour, high lighting and underlining will help organise any brainstorm.
1. Brain Dumbing
This is where a brain storm is used to document ideas it has little structure or organisation and is focused on content. |
2. Tree Diagram
When ideas are explored and long branches are made with linking and corresponding ideas |
3. Collated/Categorised
Ideas are gathered into groups, organised and categorised. |
Habits of creative thinkers
"Whether they’re coming up with an innovative new product to launch, finding a solution to a universal problem, or picking a cool new place to grab lunch, people who consistently have great ideas have formed habits that help them think. Here are eight simple things those "creative geniuses" do that you can do, too:" http://www.fastcompany.com/3051713/hit-the-ground-running/8-habits-of-people-who-always-have-great-ideas |
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