Ideas, in the context of design, can be described as either visual, concrete or abstract. But how do designers approach the ideation process? What ideation tools do they use? Are there preferences for certain tools? For example, designers may be inspired by design theory, as articulated by, say, Donald Schön, Victor Papanek, and Nigel Cross. That is, developing ideas from abstract foundations. Or, concrete ideas through exploration and manipulation of physical materials. Or, visual ideas through visual means, from traditional pen and paper sketching to physical or digital 3D modelling. Then there is the latest ideation tool: GenAI, which might be considered the joker in the ideation pack, or the Magician (tarot card). But more than this. There is the motivational source, or force for ideation. That is, reason, emotion or desire (but not necessarily separated states of mind).
