HS436 Idea Matrix
TECH
Low-tech
CHALLENGE
Simple
TIME
1 session (half-day)
TEAM SIZE
1 or 2
About
The Idea Matrix is a way to take a large and complicated artefact that you are designing, and split it into a number of smaller and simpler parts. By solving the individual parts first, one at a time, you are free to then combine them into a complete solution for the larger artefact.
FIGURE: A typical dining room armchair showing its four main parts: seat, backrest, legs, and arm rests. We can use the idea matrix to come up with new ideas for a dining room armchair.
FIGURE: Idea matrix for designing a dining room armchair. This matrix shows a total of six ideas for the seat, five ideas for the backrest, five ideas for the legs, and six ideas for the armrests. In theory, that will allow for 6 × 5 × 5 × 6 = 900 possible combinations of those parts. In practice, not that many will be actually possible, and far fewer will even be desirable! As an example, the red highlighted parts were combined to come up with the design for the steel tube chair below.
FIGURE: Some dining room armchairs that were derived from the ideas in the idea matrix.
What you need
- A3 or A4 printer paper, and pens or pencils.
- Your completed Problem Statement (IV) from the DEFINE stage.
- A group of designers to work together.
- About 2 to 10 people can work on this method successfully together.
- Whether you are doing a design project individually or in a team, you may still do the idea matrix together.
- You can also do this method on your own.
- A place with chairs and tables to work freely without distractions.
- About an hour to do it properly.
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.- Break down the artefact that you are designing into its main parts, and list them on a sheet of paper.
- Draw a grid on a sheet of paper with as many rows as there are main parts of the artefact and about 6 columns or more for ideas.
- Row-by-row, take each part of the artefact and think of ways to solve it.
- Sketch and note down your ideas in that row.
- Be clear when sketching and taking notes, to avoid confusion later.
- Try to fill each row with ideas for that part. So, if you have drawn six columns, try to come up with six ideas.
- Wild, odd, impossible, funny, or crazy ideas are welcome! Let your imagination run free!
- Do not judge ideas or criticise them. You will do that later.
- Repeat the process until you have finished with every part of the artefact that you are designing.
- When you have finished, you should have dozens of solutions and hundreds of possible combinations. (See the figures above.)
- Circle your favourite ideas from the idea matrix with a pencil.
- Try to sketch different combinations of those ideas to find new solutions to the artefact that you are designing.
- Some ideas will combine easily, and others simply won’t work together.
Tip
- If you have more ideas than can fit in the matrix, simply add more columns.
More handouts for students of Level IV…
Read the next handout for Level IV students (15 to 17 years old).
About design topics…
Or, return to the section to browse the design topics.