Ideation & prototyping Techniques in Design Thinking

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that aims to create solutions that are effective, feasible, and desirable. One of the most important steps in design thinking is ideation, which involves generating a wide range of ideas and concepts that could potentially solve the problem at hand. Here are some commonly used methods of ideation in design thinking:

• Brainstorming: This is a popular method of ideation that involves a group of people coming together to generate as many ideas as possible. The goal is to encourage free thinking and creativity, with no judgment or criticism allowed during the brainstorming session. The aim is to generate as many ideas as possible, and then select the best ones for further development.
• Six Hats: This technique is based on the premise that different perspectives can lead to more creative ideas. In Six Hats, each member of the group is assigned a specific "thinking hat" that represents a different perspective, such as emotions, logic, creativity, and so on. The group then takes turns wearing each hat and contributing ideas from that perspective.

• SCAMPER: This is an acronym that stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. This method encourages people to think creatively by using these prompts to generate new ideas or to modify existing ones. For example, you might use the "Substitute" prompt to think of alternative materials that could be used for a product, or the "Eliminate" prompt to consider features that could be removed to make the product simpler.

• What-if: This method involves asking "what if" questions to generate new ideas or to explore different scenarios. For example, you might ask "What if we made the product twice as big?" or "What if we targeted a different audience?" This method encourages people to think outside the box and to consider possibilities that they might not have otherwise considered.
• Co-creation: This method involves working with users or customers to generate ideas and develop solutions. By involving the people who will use the product or service in the ideation process, designers can gain valuable insights and perspectives that can lead to more effective solutions. Co-creation can involve workshops, interviews, surveys, or other methods of engaging with users and stakeholders.

These are just a few of the methods of ideation in design thinking. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and designers may use a combination of methods depending on the project and the goals of the ideation phase

In the ideation phase of design thinking, it is common to generate a large number of ideas. However, not all ideas are equally good or feasible. Therefore, it is important to prioritize and select the most promising ideas to move forward with. Two commonly used methods for prioritizing ideas are idea screening and idea scoring.

• Idea Screening: Idea screening is a method of quickly evaluating ideas to identify those with the most potential. In this method, a set of criteria or screening questions is used to evaluate each idea. The criteria could be based on factors such as feasibility, market potential, customer needs, cost-effectiveness, and so on. Each idea is evaluated based on how well it meets the criteria. Ideas that do not meet the criteria are eliminated, while ideas that pass the screening are further developed and evaluated in more detail.
• Idea Scoring: Idea scoring is a more detailed method of evaluating ideas based on a set of predefined criteria. In this method, each idea is scored based on how well it meets each criterion. The criteria could be weighted based on their importance, and a total score is calculated for each idea. Ideas with the highest scores are prioritized for further development.

To prioritize ideas using either method, follow these steps:

• Define the criteria: Identify the key criteria or factors that are important for evaluating ideas. These could be based on the project goals, customer needs, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, or other relevant factors.
• Score or screen the ideas: Use the predefined criteria to score or screen each idea. For idea screening, use the screening questions to quickly eliminate ideas that do not meet the criteria. For idea scoring, assign a score to each idea based on how well it meets each criterion.
• Analyze the results: Review the scores or screening results to identify the most promising ideas. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each idea, and how well it aligns with the project goals and customer needs.
• Select the top ideas: Based on the analysis, select the top ideas that are most promising and aligned with the project goals. These ideas can be further developed and tested to determine their feasibility and effectiveness.

In summary, both idea screening and idea scoring are effective methods for prioritizing ideas in the ideation phase of design thinking. By using these methods, designers can focus on the most promising ideas and avoid wasting time and resources on ideas that are not likely to succeed.

A prototype is a preliminary model or version of a product or solution that is created to test and evaluate its functionality, design, and usability. Prototyping is an essential part of the design thinking process, as it allows designers to refine their ideas and identify potential problems before the product is developed or launched. Here are the various stages of creating a prototype and some common prototyping techniques:

• Conceptualize: The first stage of creating a prototype is to conceptualize the design and functionality of the product. This involves gathering user requirements, creating sketches, and creating a rough concept of what the final product will look like.
• Design: In this stage, designers create a detailed design of the product. This includes creating 2D and 3D models, specifying materials, and creating a detailed plan for the prototype.
• Build: Once the design is finalized, the actual prototype is built. This can involve using a range of tools and techniques, including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining, or manual assembly.
• Test: After the prototype is built, it is tested to evaluate its functionality and usability. Testing can involve user feedback, quality assurance, and other forms of testing to identify and address any issues or problems.
• Refine: Based on the testing results, the prototype is refined and improved. This may involve modifying the design, making changes to the materials, or making adjustments to the functionality of the product.

There are several prototyping techniques that designers can use to create prototypes. These include:

• Paper Prototyping: This involves creating a rough, low-fidelity prototype using paper or other inexpensive materials. Paper prototypes can be used to quickly test different design concepts and evaluate the usability of the product.
• Digital Prototyping: This involves using software tools to create a digital prototype of the product. Digital prototypes can be used to simulate the functionality of the product, test different design options, and evaluate the usability of the product.
• Functional Prototyping: This involves creating a working prototype of the product that closely mimics the final product's functionality. Functional prototypes are useful for testing the product's functionality and usability in real-world scenarios.
• Visual Prototyping: This involves creating a prototype that is primarily focused on the product's visual design and aesthetics. Visual prototypes can be used to test different color schemes, layout options, and other visual design elements.

In conclusion, prototyping is a critical part of the design thinking process, and there are several prototyping techniques that designers can use to create effective prototypes. By creating prototypes, designers can refine their ideas, test the functionality and usability of their products, and identify potential problems before the product is developed or launched.