Idea Generating for Designers

Where do ideas come from? I have often heard people say their ideas come to them in a dream. I agree that a relaxed state has often been the time when my ideas crystallize. However, all of my ideas began with intent because i had chosen to focus on a particular need or problem.

When I was a student at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia I had a unique assignment that has had lasting impact on my ability to generate ideas. We were asked to design 20 unique oval earrings overnight. At the time this seemed fairly tough. However the next day I proudly presented my 20 ovals with great relief only to be given the next assignment. Design 20 more unique oval earrings. Here's what I know now, that I learned through this process. Thinking ABOUT 'the box' not necessarily 'outside' the box will train your creative thinking skills allowing ideas that are both subtle as well as substantial to be born. Lets take the ovals as an example again. The hardest designs to come up with are the ones that are the simplest. What can be altered about an oval to make it new? Size, texture, materials, color, manipulation,movement, finish, on and on. By staying focused on one element and brainstorming the many elements that can be altered the ideas become endless.

Listen to what Stephen Key has to say in this excerpt from his blog article entitled The Creative Game: Tools to Use, on Allbusiness.com.

"... I play games to get my brain turning and inspire me - basically, to come up with ideas. Some fun, child-like games. For example, "mix and match". I combine two concepts or products, no matter how closely related or seemingly farfetched, and examine the result. Camera + phone = cameraphone. Seems like that one sold fairly well! Also, the question game "what if". What if a teddy bear could talk? The product I worked on at Worlds of Wonder, Teddy Ruxpin, was likely born out of such a question. "Solve it" is another similar game - identify a problem and try and fix it. How can the space on a container be increased? Spinformation, two labels in one, was invented.

All creative people play games to come up with new ideas. It's a matter of looking at the world, the marketplace, from a different frame - seeing what isn't there yet but could or should be. There is NO bad idea."

I love the term "get my brain turning"-- this is how ideas are generated and why when you are at rest later they have a chance to settle into what feels absolutely right. Whether you are an independent designer or working on a team within a large organization this kind of 'brain turning' will insure your success. In his book Small is the new Big, Seth Godin says, "Big companies are big companies because they're good at doing yesterday's business." (article Start now-Hurry!)

He's right. Applying basic idea generating techniques within even the largest of companies can help those giants to move and grow with the marketplace. Creative (SAVVY) leadership that can re-think the box itself is the key.