Phase 3: Research Existing Solutions & Ideas
1. In small groups, students brainstorm for rapid idea generation. Whilst brainstorming, encourage the following:
- Defer judgement
- Encourage wild ideas
- Build on the ideas of others
- Stay focused on the topic
- One conversation at a time
- Be visual
- Go for quantity
2. Select three different ideas to sketch or mind map - “Darling, Practical, Wild”. Darling (idea most likely to delight), Practical (rational choice), Wild (the most unexpected - may involve the use of technologies not yet invented!). You might allow students to look at available equipment to get an idea of what will work best. However this may limit wild idea generation.
3. Select ONE idea from above and develop your concept
4. Conduct a class video conference with DOW partner class - each group of students will share their initial design ideas with DOW/Lism partner class (1-2min overview). One team from the other class is invited to be “Critical Friends” - ask clarifying questions, provide feedback related to strengths (“I like….because” or “one strength is… because….”), and provide questions for the team to think through (“I wonder if…” or “one question to consider might be…”).
5. After each group presents and reflects on the feedback, students select and make changes to their design.
This podcast discusses some existing solutions. It may not be necessary to listen to the entire podcast.
Ideate
"It’s not about coming up with the ‘right’ idea, it’s about generating the broadest range of possibilities.”
Imagining “wild,” “darling,” and “practical” ideas help spawn multiple solutions, one of which eventually will be selected to prototype. You may wish to use the following proforma (A3) for students to produce ideas.
