During Daniel’s class this week, we were introduced to our new project brief – to pitch an idea for a digital product. This product can be anything we want it to be, including, but not limited to:
- Web Site (Something Substantial)
- Native Application (Phone, Watch…)
- Web App
- eBook
- Printed Book
- Cards
- Physical Product
- Packaging System
- Game (app, board game)
- Connected Product
Daniel then talked us through different idea generation methods and exercises. I thought this was really helpful, as I know that I only really do one or two of these normally, so it was very useful being introduced to so many new methods of generating ideas.
The list included:
- Mind-mapping
- Brain-storming
- Visual thinking
- Sketching
- Connections/associations
- Worst way
- What if?
- Inspiration
- Osborn Checklist
I have highlighted the idea generation techniques that I would like to try for this project, as I have not done them before and I feel they would be very useful for me.
Workshop
We then moved into the IXD studio, where we began a workshop around idea generation. Each table had to pick a different method of idea generation, and then compose a selection of ideas from this pool. Our table decided to create ideas using the method of brain-storming using sticky-notes.
Our method involved loading up a random word generator on someone’s laptop, and then using a selection of random words to create an idea for a product.
I really enjoyed this exercise, as I felt very creatively charged and full of inspiration and ideas by the end. I was very inspired by everyone’s different point of views when it came to a new topic of discussion, and it really showed me how well I can work in a team when it comes to idea-building.
This was our board of sticky notes after we had finished brain-storming:
Great Ideas:
Good Ideas:
Okay Ideas:
Bad Ideas:
I will most likely be using one of these ideas for my pitch idea, as I was quite fond of some of the ones I was able to come up with, such as:
- a touch-based app which allows you and someone else to communicate over long distances using touch alone
- an app for dividing up finances
- an app for reading/learning sign language