In praise of handwork

Just as the cinema did not herald the death of theater, so freehand drawing will survive the onslaught of digital media. Arguably what is created by human hands is the true luxury in the digital age.

Constructivist ideation

Modelling is one of the ideation tools which embraces Constructivism as a mode of problem solving in the material world. Constructivist techniques and processes include assemblage, bricolage, and collage utilising everyday items and found objects. Constructivist ideation, then, encourages experimental thinking and making that give material shape, form and spatial presence to new ideas.

Attention ideas!

Ideas are elements of thoughts generated in the mind based on memories, interpretations of past and present events, and their future projections. The ideas gain power from your attention and interest. Your attention is the fuel for your ideas, and the skillful use of ideation tools will help you stay focused. So every time your mind generates a creative idea, give attention to it, capture it with your tools. This will cause your mind to attract more ideas, setting in motion a true creative cycle.

Ideation tools

Ideators have a range of ideation tools to choose from, including words, sketching, and modelling (physical and virtual). But given that tool use is situational and contextual, there's no such thing as an all-purpose ideation tool.

Let's Face it: Drawing is alive and well

Draw Something is a title of a mobile app developed by Omgpop. It is a game where two players alternate turns between drawing a picture for the other to guess. The app has done so well, that on March 16th, 2012 it was reported that it was the most played game on Facebook, registering 10.8 million daily active users.

To bring ideas to life

While drawing is his speciality, graphic artist and illustrator Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz fame, says he has no fear of exploring different media to bring ideas to life. "I'm always having ideas," he says. "I'd like to continue being able to realise the ideas I have." At the moment he is enjoying writing.

Ideation cycle

Conceptual tools support the ideation-cycle, from capturing and developing the idea, to communicating and converting the idea into action. Moreover, the tools, and whether words, sketches or modelling, not only support but influence and help articulate the ideation process: Concept > Context > Creation > Communication