About

Brainstorming is a popular method for a group of designers to come up with a number of ideas to solve a design problem. Brainstorming works by combining the imaginations of a group of designers and by encouraging wild ideas and free association, which is when one idea triggers another in your mind. This creative method is meant to be done in a positive and uncritical atmosphere. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​
 

What you need

• Sticky notes, and pens or pencils. Or, you can write your ideas on a chalkboard or whiteboard.
• Your completed Problem Statement (IV) from the DEFINE stage.
• A group of designers to brainstorm together.
• About 2 to 10 people can successfully brainstorm together.
• Whether you are doing a design project individually or in a team, you may still brainstorm together.
• A place with chairs and tables to brainstorm freely without distractions.
• About an hour to do it properly.

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Method

Begin by reading the problem statement so that everyone understands the design problem that you are trying to solve. Confirm that the team understands the problem statement. Follow these three rules to brainstorming:

• Rule 1: Generate as many solutions as you can. Go for quantity! Have as many ideas as you can, for the truly creative ones to emerge.
  • Each designer calls out an idea as it comes to mind with a short explanation, such as by stating the idea’s advantage.
  • They write or sketch (whichever is quicker) that idea on a sticky note and paste it on the wall.
  • No need to take turns, you simply call out your ideas as they come.
  • Begin with the obvious ideas, because creative ideas will surely follow.
  • Don’t be shy. Share your ideas, the more you give, the more you get!
  • Piggy-back on someone else’s idea, change it or add something. This is the key to brainstorming.
  • Brainstorming is a single conversation. Everyone must pay attention as each idea is called out.
  • No debating. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand someone’s idea, but do not get side-tracked into discussing an idea.
  • When the ideas dry up, get them flowing again with a new approach, such as by restating the problem differently.
• Rule 2: Wild ideas are welcome. Coming up with odd, impossible, funny, or crazy ideas will trigger creative, original, or unconventional thoughts, and it will direct you to seeing the problem from a new perspective, which is called ‘thinking outside the box.’
  • In brainstorming, you are not searching for the answer, you are searching for a spark — an idea to get excited about.
  • Humour is good, laughing is good, clapping is good.
  • Sometimes thinking of hilariously bad ideas can lead to good ideas.
  • Good manners and decorum always apply. Avoid ideas that may cause offence to the members of your team.
  • Stay on topic. Make sure that you don’t stray off-topic and end up brainstorming for ideas to a different problem.
• Rule 3: Do not judge ideas yet. There is no such thing as a stupid idea, so never criticise ideas during brainstorming, not even your own ideas, and never criticise someone for their idea. Defer your judgement until later in the design process, when you will evaluate and select your best ideas.
  • Be bold. Express your ideas optimistically, regardless of how wild they might be.
  • Be kind. React positively to your teammates’ ideas, and compliment the good ideas.
  • After brainstorming, you will select your best ideas using Dot Voting (IV), as you further develop and refine your design solution.

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Tips

• Have drinks and snacks at hand if required, don’t brainstorm on an empty stomach, as the brain needs calories to kick up a storm!
• You can brainstorm alone, but it is less effective than collaborating in a good team.