Ideas Generation

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a process for developing creative solutions to problems.

Brainstorming works by focusing on a problem, and then deliberately coming up with as many solutions as possible and by pushing the ideas as far as possible. One of the reasons it is so effective is that the brainstormers not only come up with new ideas in a session, but also spark off from associations with other people's ideas by developing and refining them.

There are four basic rules in brainstorming :

No criticism: Criticism of ideas are withheld during the brainstorming session as the purpose is on generating varied and unusual ideals and extending or adding to these ideas. Criticism is reserved for the evaluation stage of the the process. This allows the members to feel comfortable with the idea of generating unusual ideas.

Welcome unusual ideas: Unusual ideas are welcomed as it is normally easier to "tame down" than to "tame up" as new ways of thinking and looking at the world may provide better solutions.

Quantity Wanted: The greater the number of ideas generated, the greater the chance of producing a radical and effective solution.

Combine and improve ideas: Not only are a variety of ideals wanted, but also ways to combine ideas in order to make them better

Group Brainstorming
When it works, group brainstorming can be very effective for bringing the full experience and creativity of all members of the group to bear on an issue. When individual group members get stuck with an idea, another member's creativity and experience can take the idea to the next stage. Group brainstorming can therefore develop ideas in more depth than individual brainstorming.
Another advantage of group brainstorming is that it helps everyone involved to feel that they’ve contributed to the end solution, and it reminds people that other people have creative ideas to offer. What’s more, brainstorming is fun, and it can be great for team-building!
Brainstorming in a group can be risky for individuals. Valuable but strange suggestions may appear stupid at first sight. Because of this, you need to chair sessions tightly so that ideas are not crushed, and so that the usual issues with group problem-solving don’t stifle creativity.

Problems with brainstorming:
Conventional group problem-solving can be fraught with problems. Confident, "big-ego" participants can drown out and intimidate quieter group members. Less confident participants can be too scared of ridicule to share their ideas freely. Others may feel pressurized to conform with the group view, or are held back by an excessive respect for authority. As such, group problem-solving is often ineffective and sterile.

Procedure

1. In a small or large group select a leader and a recorder (they may be the same person).
2. Define the problem or idea to be brainstormed. Make sure everyone is clear on the topic being explored.
3. Set up the rules for the session. They should include
   • letting the leader have control.
   • allowing everyone to contribute.
   • ensuring that no one will insult, demean, or evaluate another participant or his/her response.
   • stating that no answer is wrong.
   • recording each answer unless it is a repeat.
   • setting a time limit and stopping when that time is up.
4. Start the brainstorming. Have the leader select members of the group to share their answers. The recorder should write down all responses, if possible so everyone can see them. Make sure not to evaluate or criticize any answers until done brainstorming.
5. Once you have finished brainstorming, go through the results and begin evaluating the responses. Some initial qualities to look for when examining the responses include
   • looking for any answers that are repeated or similar.
   • grouping like concepts together.
   • eliminating responses that definitely do not fit.
   • Now that you have narrowed your list down some, discuss the remaining responses as a group.

Moodboards

A collection of images put together to create an overall visual image - to communicate ideas visually.
Used within Art and graphics.
Creates themes which can lead to a stimulus, helping to create ideas.




Thumbnail Sketches

An artistic note.
A form of brainstorming.
Helps with composition.




Concept Sketches

Initial Idea for an image
Conveys visual ideas
Saves time and money, as they can be developed before they are processed
Used for marketing