INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONTO DESIGN TO DESIGN SYNECTICSSYNECTICS

Based on Based on Design Design

Synectics Synectics bybyNicholas Nicholas RoukesRoukes

Synectics DefinitionSynectics Definition

The term The term SynecticsSynectics is from the Greek word is from the Greek word synectikos,synectikos, which means “bringing forth which means “bringing forth together,” or “bringing different things into together,” or “bringing different things into unified connection.”unified connection.”

Synectics is about making connections.Synectics is about making connections.

Since creativity involves the Since creativity involves the changing of things into new changing of things into new structures, every creative structures, every creative

thought or action draws on thought or action draws on synectic thinking. synectic thinking.

Synectic thinking is the process Synectic thinking is the process of discovering the links that of discovering the links that

unite seemingly disconnected unite seemingly disconnected elements. elements.

It is a way of mentally It is a way of mentally taking things apart and taking things apart and putting them together putting them together to furnish new insight to furnish new insight

for all types of for all types of problems.problems.

Synectics DefinitionSynectics Definition

Creative discovery comes from analogical Creative discovery comes from analogical and metaphorical thinking, the process of and metaphorical thinking, the process of linking unlike subjects. linking unlike subjects.

You must create VISUAL analogies and You must create VISUAL analogies and metaphors.metaphors.

Thinking to ConnectThinking to Connect

Analogical thinking is a comparison Analogical thinking is a comparison between two things that are similar in between two things that are similar in some respects, often used to help explain some respects, often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand.something or make it easier to understand.

Metaphorical thinking is when one thing is Metaphorical thinking is when one thing is used or considered to represent another used or considered to represent another

Thinking to ConnectThinking to Connect

Metaphorical thinking is Metaphorical thinking is when one thing is when one thing is

used or considered to used or considered to represent another. represent another. = or is like

The Synectic ProcessThe Synectic Process

Make something strange familiar… Make something strange familiar… Create something new…Create something new… Personal analogies-do you feel like a sponge, Personal analogies-do you feel like a sponge,

doormat? Do you see yourself as a lion, a doormat? Do you see yourself as a lion, a mouse?mouse?

Direct analogies-A school is like a salad…life is Direct analogies-A school is like a salad…life is like an elevator.like an elevator.

Conflicting analogies…War-creative and Conflicting analogies…War-creative and destructive. Talent is a blessing and a curse.destructive. Talent is a blessing and a curse.

Metaphorical ThinkingMetaphorical Thinking A metaphor is a soft thinking technique A metaphor is a soft thinking technique

connecting two different universes of meaning.connecting two different universes of meaning. Examples: Food chain, flow of time, fiscal Examples: Food chain, flow of time, fiscal

watchdog. watchdog. The key to metaphorical thinking is similarity. The key to metaphorical thinking is similarity.

The human mind tends to look for similarities. The human mind tends to look for similarities. A road map is a model or metaphor of reality A road map is a model or metaphor of reality

and useful for explaining things.and useful for explaining things. The Dolby Sound system is like a sonic laundry. The Dolby Sound system is like a sonic laundry.

Architect Buckminster Fuller Architect Buckminster Fuller summed up the essence of summed up the essence of

synectics when he said all things synectics when he said all things regardless of their dissimilarity can regardless of their dissimilarity can

somehow be linked together, somehow be linked together, either in a physical, psychological either in a physical, psychological

or symbolic way.or symbolic way.

The Synectic AttitudeThe Synectic Attitude

Synectics encourages the ability to live Synectics encourages the ability to live with complexity and apparent with complexity and apparent contradiction. contradiction.

Synectics stimulates creative thinking.Synectics stimulates creative thinking. Synectics mobilizes both sides of the Synectics mobilizes both sides of the

brain, the right brain (the dreamer), and brain, the right brain (the dreamer), and the left brain (the reasoner). the left brain (the reasoner).

Synectics provides a free-thinking state of Synectics provides a free-thinking state of consciousness .consciousness .

The Synectic Ways of WorkingThe Synectic Ways of Working

Synectics is based on the fusion of Synectics is based on the fusion of opposites.opposites.

Synectics is based on analogical thinking. Synectics is based on analogical thinking. Synectics is synergistic. Its action Synectics is synergistic. Its action

produces a result which is greater than the produces a result which is greater than the sum of its parts. sum of its parts.

The Synectic Pinball MachineThe Synectic Pinball Machine

Synectic thinking is like a mental pinball Synectic thinking is like a mental pinball game. Stimulus input bounced against the game. Stimulus input bounced against the scoring bumpers (the Trigger Questions) is scoring bumpers (the Trigger Questions) is transformed. transformed.

Ordinary perceptions are turned into Ordinary perceptions are turned into extraordinary ones; the familiar or prosaic extraordinary ones; the familiar or prosaic is made strange. is made strange.

Synectic play is the creative mind at work. Synectic play is the creative mind at work.

The Synectic TriggersThe Synectic Triggers

Synectic Trigger mechanisms catalyze or Synectic Trigger mechanisms catalyze or create new thoughts, ideas and inventions.create new thoughts, ideas and inventions.

Synectic Theory is based on disruptive Synectic Theory is based on disruptive thinking. thinking.

The 23 Design Synectic TriggersThe 23 Design Synectic Triggers

Subtract Subtract Change Scale Change Scale Prevaricate Prevaricate

RepeatRepeat SubstituteSubstitute AnalogizeAnalogize

CombineCombine FragmentFragment HybridizeHybridize

AddAdd IsolateIsolate MetamorphoseMetamorphose

TransferTransfer DistortDistort SymbolizeSymbolize

EmpathizeEmpathize DisguiseDisguise MythologizeMythologize

AnimateAnimate ContradictContradict FantasizeFantasize

SuperimposeSuperimpose ParodyParody

Take Creative Action!Take Creative Action! Ideas are not born in a vacuum.Ideas are not born in a vacuum. Use the 23 synectic triggers to transform Use the 23 synectic triggers to transform

your ideas into something new. your ideas into something new. The triggers are tools for transformational The triggers are tools for transformational

thinking and may lead you to some great thinking and may lead you to some great discoveries. discoveries.

Art Think: Ways of WorkingArt Think: Ways of Working

1. Identify:1. Identify: Set the problem or task, identify the subject.Set the problem or task, identify the subject.

2. Analyze:2. Analyze: Examine the subject; break it down, classify it.Examine the subject; break it down, classify it.

3. Ideate:3. Ideate: Think, fantasize, produce ideas. Generate options Think, fantasize, produce ideas. Generate options towards a creative solution. Relate, rearrange, towards a creative solution. Relate, rearrange, reconstruct. What design synectic triggers can reconstruct. What design synectic triggers can you use?you use?

4. Select:4. Select: Choose your best option.Choose your best option.

5. Implement:5. Implement: Put your ideas into action. Realize it. Transform Put your ideas into action. Realize it. Transform imagination and fantasy into tangible form.imagination and fantasy into tangible form.

6. Evaluate:6. Evaluate: Judge the result. Think about new options and Judge the result. Think about new options and possibilities that have emerged. Go back to possibilities that have emerged. Go back to step #1.step #1.

Your AssignmentYour AssignmentDraw a picture you can use to Draw a picture you can use to

transform using the 23 synectic transform using the 23 synectic triggers. Be sure it is a complete triggers. Be sure it is a complete drawing of an object. No heads, drawing of an object. No heads,

people or cartoons!people or cartoons!