Design ideas can be described as either visual, concrete or abstract. But, in the age of artificial intelligence, AI, how do designers approach the ideation process and how do they generate and communicate their ideas? What ideation tools do they use, and do they show preferences for certain tools? While visual or verbal language is the main means of communicating ideas, that is, language as an ideation tool, the range of tools is wide, contextual and embracing both analogue and digital modes.. And so, for visual ideas, designers use traditional pen and paper sketching or physical or computational modelling. For concrete ideas, they explore physical forms and materials using craft methods or digital fabrication. They become curious about the theoretical underpinnings of design, as expounded by scholars such as Donald Schön, Victor Papanek, and Nigel Cross. They get inspired by design history or designer biography, for example, the inventor James Dyson. Then AI, which is greatly influencing, if not transforming the study, research and practice of design across disciplines. In this digital environment, GenAI has become a game changer that could be perceived as the Joker in the ideation pack (a trump, or a wild card). Or, the Magician, from the imagery of tarot cards (the card of new beginnings and opportunities). Finally, there are motivational sources that power new ideas and innovation: human reason, emotion or desire (although not necessarily separated states of mind, and not easily measured). Yet, not to forget the ethical dimension of design in a world of conspicuous consumption and environmental concerns.
