Ideation partnering

The workshop setup allows for participants to ideate alone, in pairs or even small groups of 3-4 people (larger groups would become "brainstorming" activity). While designers fruitfully ideate on their own reflecting how ideation is traditionally embedded in individualism - and the romantic movement stressed the individuality of creative expression, working in pairs can be beneficial. That is, pair work gives each ideator a platform or channel to explain and compare their first thoughts to each other. From there, the two go on to question, clarify, amend, and fine-tune their respective ideas and, finally may agree on a single idea or arrive at a totally new idea or concept. Moreover, ideating in pairs focuses minds on the design task or theme, sharpens and develops creative thought and organises and communicates the ideas convincingly, both verbally and visually. Ideation in pairs, then, imparts clarity into ideas that might otherwise remain vague. Also, having to listen to, reflect and respond to another's ideas builds respect for diversity and the discipline of design.