As we move through the Design Thinking process, the step that involves idea generation is called ideation. This step requires the designers and creators to think in broad terms about solutions and prototypes that will specifically help the users at hand. There are many techniques to use for a successful ideation process (Dam & Siang, 2020).
Here are a few examples from Dam and Siang (2020)…
Brainstorming is the process of blending ideas together, usually with other people, that are normally all over the place. Having wild ideas that may not seem conventional is all part of the brainstorming process.
A Braindump is similar to the brainstorm technique but it is done individually, while brainstorming is executed more efficiently in a group.
A Braintwrite occurs when a group comes together and writes their own ideas on a piece of paper. Then, the individuals pass their ideas around to another member of the group and discuss the ideas. The process continues for about 15 minutes and then there is a discussion.
A Storyboard helps develop ideas through a visualization related to the problem or situation. Storyboards can include visuals and quotes from users.
An important note to remember about the ideation process is that the goal is quantity over quality. This part of the Design Thinking process is about getting ideas out and figuring out which direction to go in. In addition, evaluation or judgement of the ideas is not recommended. The individual decisions on the ideas will come later, but during the ideation process, the more ideas, the better!
Another ideation method is a mash-up. Mash-ups use “How Might We” statements to generate ideas on a problem and create a starting point for solutions. Mash-ups bring ideas together that you would normally not think to be related at all.
Here is my Mash-Up presentation:
Creating the “How Might We” statement is the first step in the Mashup process. For my statement, I decided to use one of my app review projects and tackle a problem with Aaptiv.
Statement: How might we create a better fitness experience for users who have never worked out before?
After creating the statement, I then made two categories that are completely unrelated to one another.
Category 1: Things You Would Find in a Gym
Category 2: Favorite Things about Summer
The next part of this process is to add 15 items that would fall into each category. I gave myself 2 minutes to do this.
Category 1 Items:
1 Treadmill
2 Yoga Mat
3 Trainers
4 Shower
5 Dumbbells
6 Ropes
7 Turf
8 Speakers
9 People
10 Headphones
11 Medicine Balls
12 Elliptical
13 Stairmaster
14 Mirror
15 Sneakers
Category 2:
A Warm weather
B Sunshine
C Pools
D Beaches
E Free time
F Vacation
G Parties
H Food
I Lake
J Swimming
K Vitamin D
L BBQ
M Surfing
N Fourth of July
O Soccer
The next part of the Mash-Up exercise is to “mash-up” ideas from both categories. This was the most difficult part of the process. I had a hard time figuring out and creating ideas from the items I created. I was able to generate six idea mash-ups.
- 2.D – Yoga on the beach: This idea does not necessarily mean yoga on the beach. It is more of a general idea about allowing users the opportunity to workout from wherever they want. It will give users a chance workout where they feel comfortable.
- 3.G – Parties with Trainers: This idea promotes a celebration at the end of each workout accomplishment or levels. This gives users a chance to zoom with one of their favorite trainers and ask questions about working out. (zoom party)
- 8.A – Speakers and Warm Weather: This idea is about giving users workouts to do in the warm weather.
- 9.E – People and Free Time: This idea is about creating an enthusiastic message about using free time wisely. Maximizing your time (even if it is 20 minutes) will help create a healthy lifestyle for users.
- 10.C – Headphones and Pools: This idea is about creating a product that works like headphones but allows you to wear them in the pool to hear a swimming workout.
- 15.I – Sneakers and Lake: This idea is a generic idea about creating workout classes that appeal to a range of users. Some users like to be outside, but they are not sure what type of workout to do if they are not at a gym. This idea will cater to different types of landscapes with workouts that go with them.
1 – Early riser? Beach lover? We’ve got the class for you! | 2 – Crush a workout, zoom with a trainer! | 3 – Love to swim but need a challenge? Our water-proof headphones will be perfect for your workout needs!
MAGGIE PRUITT 