Instant ideation

In the digital age, when surrounded by technology that seems able to meet every need virtually instantly, we also seem less likely to tolerate waiting whether for a coffee to be served or for a message or image to be received. But what impact does the 24/7 digital culture with its lack of patience and instant gratification have on learning and developing analogue ideation skills which take time and effort to build? When digital technology can meet designers' needs for visualising ideas at gigabit speed why bother with the time-consuming skills of freehand drawing and modelmaking by hand? Or is this a stereotypical description of digital ideation tools that overlooks the value of shaping, forming and expressing ideas in a more reflective mode using analogue tools? Such comparison of tools, however, raises the question of "validity" - how to "prove' that one set of ideation tools works better or faster than others? The answer, it seems, is best left to practising ideators: Why this, and not that particular tool, or combinations thereof?

Tools of imagination

Of the many tools available to help generate, represent and communicate ideas, drawing tools, analogue or digital, are what foremost spring to mind. Yet in the digital age, computational ideation is pushing the limits of what might be designed, in "what-if" scenarios that free the imagination of physical constraints. In this, ideation tools move beyond CAD towards new methods and technologies for search and exploration of new forms using information modelling software ("ideas as data") and digital fabrication. Digital tools, then, extend traditional approaches of trial-and-error, bricolage and experimentation so intrinsic to design ideation.

Drawing phobia?

Phobias come in many forms: specific phobias such as spiders, height or blood, or social phobias, for example, fear of speaking in public. Presenting and communicating ideas may involve not only addressing a group of people verbally but also using ideation tools such as pen and paper, for example, drawing on a white board or flip chart with marker pen, a social situation which might create anxiety: "Can't draw - won't draw!". Can there then be cases of "drawing phobia"?  It is known that the best way of overcoming a phobia is confronting it. That is, the individual suffering from phobia confronts the source of the phobia instead of avoiding the issue. In case of drawing phobia, if the source of the phobia is lack of confidence using pen and paper to communicate in group situations, the answer seems straightforward: confront the fear through practising drawing in a variety of mediums and situations.

Idea narratives

Ideas per se count for little. They need to be communicated. And the narrative is a powerful means of expressing ideas. One of the vehicles for this is story boarding which helps ideators envision their ideas, or bringing the idea to life. For 2D design ideas, the simple and effective way of telling a story is using words and images where the freehand sketch in particular is a quick and immediate tool to help articulate ideas. For 3D design ideas, the hand-drawn paper prototype, or sketch model, is equally a fast and direct way to communicating ideas. But whatever the ideation tool, it is important to communicate the story at the right level of fidelity. For example, the sketch mode is typically low fidelity: If the narrative is set at a too high fidelity level, say including details of finish, this might distract the audience from the core idea. After all, the idea is a proposal for what might be, not what is.

Sketching anyone?

As the net generation of designers reach for the digital tablet or the smart phone rather than the sketchbook, design students may wonder if they need traditional drawing skills. But there are different types of drawings associated with different stages of the design process. In the early stages, sketching is the more flexible and spontaneous way of drawing. Sketching out ideas, then, is not so much about technical drawing skills, or drawing in the tradition of the arts academy, but about the ability to express first thoughts visually, either on one's own (i-sketch), or in team settings (we-sketch). Sketching, though, like all types of drawings, is a skill that improves through practice.

In praise of ideation tools

Being conversant with ideation tools facilitates access to designers' intuition and imagination and helps externalising and communicating ideas. Being familiar with ideation tools, moreover, helps promote a practical and goal-oriented approach to idea realisation as well as providing a good sense of purpose and confidence in pursuing creative endeavours.

Multidimensional ideation tools

Ideation tools help give shape (2D) and form (3D) to ideas, help find, explore and make sense of relationships, proportions and patterns, and help create idea dynamics and tension (4D) towards idea actualisation, or making real of what is suspended between illusion and predictability.