Week 1b T1 Tools: Brain Storming presented by Prof Ravi Poovaiah

Summary

This SW course module focuses on design thinking and innovation, specifically on brainstorming as a tool. Brainstorming is a creative technique to generate ideas and connections without criticism. It can be used individually or in groups, with larger groups benefiting from diverse backgrounds. The process involves noting down keywords, sorting them into categories, and linking related ideas. This method helps in understanding a topic, generating ideas, and finding solutions. The video also highlights the importance of brainstorming in different phases of a design project.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Brainstorming is a creative thinking technique used to generate ideas and connections.
• 🌍 Brainstorming can be applied at various stages of a design project, from understanding the topic to ideation and finding alternate solutions.
• 👤 It can be done individually or in groups, with groups often leading to faster and more diverse idea generation.
• 👥 The larger the group, the larger the surface needed to note down ideas, such as a blackboard or projection screen for visibility.
• 📝 The process starts by noting the subject at the center and then freely generating keywords without criticism.
• 🔍 Keywords should be noted down randomly to encourage associations and the formation of cross-relationships.
• 🚫 Criticism is strictly off-limits during brainstorming to ensure all ideas are welcomed.
• 🔑 The goal is to continue brainstorming until no new keywords emerge, aiming for quantity and variety.
• 🔄 After generating keywords, they are sorted into groups or categories based on natural relationships.
• 📑 Categories are then titled to provide a clear structure to the brainstormed ideas.
• 🔗 Affinity links are created to connect related keywords from different categories, fostering new ideas.

Q & A

What is brainstorming in the context of design thinking?

Brainstorming is a creative thinking technique used to generate ideas and connections or keywords related to a specific topic without criticism. It can be applied at various stages of a design project, such as understanding the topic, generating ideas, or finding alternative solutions.

How often do we engage in brainstorming activities without realizing it?

We engage in brainstorming all the time, such as when deciding on places to visit during a trip, where our brains consider different possibilities and evaluate them.

What are the benefits of brainstorming in groups?

Group brainstorming can help generate keywords faster and more diversely. It becomes more effective with a larger number of participants, especially when those participants have different backgrounds and opinions.

What is the significance of not criticizing during a brainstorming session?

During brainstorming, all ideas should be welcomed without criticism to encourage free thinking and the generation of a wide variety of ideas.

Can you provide an example of how brainstorming is applied in the script?

An example given is brainstorming for 'toys for toddlers' where keywords like 'role play', 'sensory', etc., are generated and then sorted into categories such as expressions, objects, media, and activities.

What is the role of sorting in the brainstorming process?

Sorting is the next stage after brainstorming where keywords are grouped into categories based on their relationships, forming natural categories through a process called open sorting.

How do you title categories during the sorting phase of brainstorming?

After sorting, you can title each category to identify the different topics within the main topic, such as expressions, objects, media, and activities in the example provided.

What is the purpose of linking keywords in brainstorming?

Linking keywords helps identify affinities between different ideas, which can lead to the formation of new ideas or concepts.

Who is considered the father of brainstorming and what is his quote?

Alex Osborn is known as the father of brainstorming. He described brainstorming as 'using the brain to storm a creative problem and in a commando fashion with each tuma attacking the same objective.'

How can the brainstorming process be used in the design thinking process?

Brainstorming can be used to understand the subject, its components, and connections, providing an overall worldview. It can also be used at the ideation phase to generate new ideas.

What tools or methods are suggested for capturing ideas during brainstorming?

Ideas can be captured using physical tools like post-it notes or online applications such as Meo or Figma. For larger groups, a blackboard or projection screen might be used.