Techniques for Stimulating Creativity references: –Voland, Gerard, Engineering by Design, Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle

TechniquesTechniquesforfor

Stimulating CreativityStimulating Creativity

references:references:– Voland, Gerard, Voland, Gerard, Engineering by DesignEngineering by Design, Pearson , Pearson

Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2004.Saddle River, NJ, 2004.

– Panitz, Beth, "BrainStorms," ASEE Prism, March Panitz, Beth, "BrainStorms," ASEE Prism, March 1998, pgs 25–29.1998, pgs 25–29.

Creativity Stimulation TechniquesCreativity Stimulation Techniques

BrainstormingBrainstorming BrainwritingBrainwriting BionicsBionics ChecklistingChecklisting Analogy and AdaptationAnalogy and Adaptation Obtaining a fresh perspectiveObtaining a fresh perspective InversionInversion Idea diagramsIdea diagrams

BrainstormingBrainstorming

Generate as many ideas as possible in a given amount Generate as many ideas as possible in a given amount of timeof time

The more ideas generated, the greater the likelihood The more ideas generated, the greater the likelihood some promising ones will emergesome promising ones will emerge

Four brainstorming rules to follow as recommended by Four brainstorming rules to follow as recommended by Osborn in Osborn in Applied ImaginationApplied Imagination– Defer all criticism of ideasDefer all criticism of ideas– Encourage a "free-wheeling" approach (the wilder the Encourage a "free-wheeling" approach (the wilder the

idea, the better)idea, the better)– Go for quantityGo for quantity– Combine and improve on others' suggestions, when Combine and improve on others' suggestions, when

possiblepossible HitchhikingHitchhiking

Additional Brainstorming GuidelinesAdditional Brainstorming Guidelines

As described by Beth Panitz in As described by Beth Panitz in BrainstormsBrainstorms– Carefully define the problem upfrontCarefully define the problem upfront– Allow individuals to consider the problem before the Allow individuals to consider the problem before the

group tackles itgroup tackles it– Create a comfortable environmentCreate a comfortable environment– Record all suggestionsRecord all suggestions– Appoint a group member to serve as a facilitatorAppoint a group member to serve as a facilitator– Keep brainstorming groups small (6 to 12 members is Keep brainstorming groups small (6 to 12 members is

ideal)ideal)

BrainwritingBrainwriting

A variation on the standard brainstorming techniqueA variation on the standard brainstorming technique Each member of the group records his or her ideas on Each member of the group records his or her ideas on

a sheet of papera sheet of paper After some time, the sheets are passed to the next After some time, the sheets are passed to the next

person in the groupperson in the group Each individual builds on the ideas that were Each individual builds on the ideas that were

generated previouslygenerated previously Allows process to move forward without any Allows process to move forward without any

premature criticism of the ideaspremature criticism of the ideas However, the positive interaction and reinforcement However, the positive interaction and reinforcement

that may occur in a regular brainstorming session will that may occur in a regular brainstorming session will not be presentnot be present

BionicsBionics

Search for an existing solution within nature that can Search for an existing solution within nature that can be adapted to solve the problem under considerationbe adapted to solve the problem under consideration

Velcro , vortex noiseVelcro , vortex noiseAdobe Acrobat 7.0 Document

Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Document

ChecklistingChecklisting

The use of words and questions to trigger creative The use of words and questions to trigger creative thoughtsthoughts

The triggers often focus on possible changes to an The triggers often focus on possible changes to an existing product, concept, or systemexisting product, concept, or system

ToasterToasterAdobe Acrobat 7.0

Document

AnalogyAnalogy

Four different types of analogiesFour different types of analogies– Direct analogy - current problem is directly related to a similar Direct analogy - current problem is directly related to a similar

problem which has been solved (satellites and yo-yos )problem which has been solved (satellites and yo-yos )

– Fantasy analogy - when confronted with a problem that cannot Fantasy analogy - when confronted with a problem that cannot be solved, imagine that a solution already exists ("stratium" be solved, imagine that a solution already exists ("stratium" solder )solder )

– Symbolic analogy - use a poetic or literary analogy to generate Symbolic analogy - use a poetic or literary analogy to generate ideas when confronted by a problem that cannot be easily ideas when confronted by a problem that cannot be easily solved ("clings like a barnacle" )solved ("clings like a barnacle" )

– Personal analogy - imagine being part of the system to view Personal analogy - imagine being part of the system to view the problem from a different perspective (new shampoo )the problem from a different perspective (new shampoo )





AdaptationAdaptation

AdaptationAdaptation– look for ways existing designs can generate new look for ways existing designs can generate new

solutions to unrelated problems (running shoe )solutions to unrelated problems (running shoe )

– old (and rejected) concepts can be revamped into useful old (and rejected) concepts can be revamped into useful formsforms


A Fresh PerspectiveA Fresh Perspective

Describe the problem that is being solved to someone Describe the problem that is being solved to someone else who is not involved in the design process (they else who is not involved in the design process (they may be able to provide new insights and a new may be able to provide new insights and a new perspective)perspective)

ElevatorElevator

Sometimes just the task of explaining the problem Sometimes just the task of explaining the problem helps to more clearly understand the objectives of the helps to more clearly understand the objectives of the designdesign


InversionInversion

Concentrate on ways to make a product or system less Concentrate on ways to make a product or system less effective and then invert these ideas to form ways in effective and then invert these ideas to form ways in which the product can be improved (energy savings in which the product can be improved (energy savings in building )building )

Invert the problem statement (trash in a Holland city Invert the problem statement (trash in a Holland city ) )

Invert an existing product or system (recycling )Invert an existing product or system (recycling )




Idea DiagramsIdea Diagrams

Allow the organization and correlation of ideas as they are Allow the organization and correlation of ideas as they are generatedgenerated

Divide solutions into different categories and subcategories Divide solutions into different categories and subcategories that become increasingly more well definedthat become increasingly more well defined

Transporting people (soldiers) from one location to anotherTransporting people (soldiers) from one location to another

Documents

Techniques for Stimulating Creativity references: –Voland, Gerard, Engineering by Design, Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle