Blog Catch up- Creativity and Concept

In the last few classes we continued to explore the different types of creativity through Divergent and Convergent thinking methods.

3rd Nov

Today we re-capped on the various techniques of generating creativity and in our groups we displayed the different characteristics of these methods of Divergent and Convergent thinking. Below are some examples:

In this session we also discussed IDEO and their approach to the principles of user centered design, and created a solution to an everyday problem encountered by users of the Screen School.

13th Oct

Session Three involved designing a brief to produce a new product for the Screen School. In the Automatic we were introduced to DeBono cards and random word sheets to stimulate ideas in order to come up with a creative and original outcome. We also used Michael Michalco's brainbox technique; all tools for divergent thinking.

In this session we also employed DeBono's Plus, Minus and Interesting technique which is a way of weighing the pros, cons and implications of a decision. I found this to be a lucid and straightforward device for reviewing ideas.

27th Oct

In this session we explored Design Thinking and were given the task of designing a new snowmobile for the imaginary 'Snow Fun' company, which presented us with the challenge of creating an outcome with both original and do-able characteristics. Our next task was to create an additional product for the company and finally a product which was not snow-related at all, through random stimulus. In this class we were also introduced to SCAMPER as a creative thinking technique; I found this approach interesting and effective as it generated an additional body of outcomes upon our initial idea through the following steps:

S – Substitute – components, materials, people.

C – Combine – mix, combine with other assemblies or services, integrate.

A – Adapt – alter, change function, use part of another element.

M – Modify – increase or reduce in scale, change shape, modify attributes (e.g. colour).

P – Put to another use.

E – Eliminate – remove elements, simplify, reduce to core functionality.

R – Reverse – turn inside out or upside down, or use Reversal.