Inspiration Process

Inspiration can come from all over. I get inspired for build from books, websites, music, photos, and art in general. Some times the best inspiration can come from process. Following the proper procedures for generating ideas is important, generic catchall phrase have been around for years about thinking outside the box or breaking the mold. We have all heard our boss say this.

Currently this is hugely important for many people. Budgets are pressed, resources are short and the pressure is on. So how do you step to this mounting pressure to succeed? Lots of coffee is definitely one answer, but process is another. It seems strange that something like process can be used in the same sentence as creativity but it is true. The scientific method has been around for decades and helps to show that having a process can help you find your solution, so how do we apply this sort of method to design?

There steps that can lead you to multiple ideas, lets lay them out -

1. Identify the problem - This is the biggest step you can take realizing something is wrong . Problems can come from a number of places and many times you have problems and don’t even know it. The best way to identify problems is to test often and in lots of ways. User experience testing is great for seeing how people actually use the product, marketing research to make sure you are hitting the intended audience, technical testing to make sure things function as expecting, the list goes on.
2. Research the problem - Why is the problem occurring?
3. See how others have solved the problem - it is important to look at as many examples as possible
4. See what others have done wrong
5. Write a brief - This should be a short statement outlining the goals, this will help guide the creative process and set the direction of all future decisions.
6. Mind mapping - Sometimes writing down everything that could possibly be associated with the item being studied can bring exciting new possibilities to the table. Get as many people as possible involved and bring a thesaurus, a good way to start is to just write down words and related words. This context will help you to think about the different directions possible.
7. Turn the idea upside down - If you were to do it completely wrong what would you do. Throw out the worst possible ideas you can come up with. Some times they turn into the best.
8. Mood Boarding - Pick a spot on the wall of the office and have people post pictures of things they like on it, or that solve the problem well. This can be very inspirational.
9. Sketch- Start putting together sketches of a proposed solution. Just put together as many as you can analyze them later
10. Pre-production - By this time you should have enough concepts to put together some concepts work with the client to iron out the ideas

So there is a brief outline, entire books are written about this topic so this is very brief. Hopefully you find it helpful!