Brainstorming



This activity requires you to use that mass that resides in your skull, just above your eyes. Unfortunately, we have a habit of leaving it behind some days or just forgetting it is there. **Brainstorming allows the brain to work at its full potential, often producing unusual, radical and extremely obscure ideas towards solving a problem.** This is often referred to "thinking outside the box," which I am sure you have heard your professors say on multiple occasions. However, this task is not always easily accomplished as the human mind can often fall victim to annoying blockages we so cleverly label //brain farts//. So, here are a few pointers about brainstorming.

//Individual Brainstorming// At this level of brainstorming, you have **full range of your personal thoughts and ideas as you are not restricted by group opinion.** The only problem with remaining in isolation is that once you get stuck, there is no one there to feed off of for further inspiration. If you do not have access to another opinion, try exploring multiple mediums to transcribe your ideas. However, it is important to note, that the most effective way to get the juices flowing is to grab your main theme, and thrown down as many ideas as possible before you begin the organization process. Once this is complete, for instance, creating a mind map can allow you to easily organize your thoughts. Doodling is also quite effective.

//Group Brainstorming// This is optimal in the design atmosphere. It allows individuals to bounce ideas off each other, often procuring some odd results. These are where the best ideas are born. However, an individual may feel intimidated because of peer pressure and the possibility of humiliation. This is why, according to www.mindtools.com, "during brainstorming sessions, there should be no criticism of ideas." The free flow of ideas should be encouraged throughout the session no matter how obscure some ideas may sound. **In particular reference to design, this initial brainstorming session is critical as it produces new, fresh, radical ideas that allow the design problem to be assessed by multiple angles.**

Optimal brainstorming also depends on the environment/atmosphere.You have two main options: a space full of interesting objects/happenings to observe, or a space clear of all possible distractions. This could be a choice between a messy art studio or the outdoors, or a clean, sterile design lab in TEL. It is all up to personal, and group preference. With the advent of all this new technology, other possible locations for brainstorming are now being created, such as a space like this. Forums, or any space on the internet can allow for the constant reference to ideas by group members without the intimidation of face to face confrontation. Explore multiple options, as different ideas will amount in each scenario! Even a tree may inspire the next, radical design for a graphic design piece.

//Visual Methods of Brainstorming// - Venn Diagrams

- Doodling - Concept/Mind Map - arranging ideas written on sticky notes - colour coding ideas

Handouts and Links, Brainstorming. 2008. University of North Carolina. 12 January 2008 http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html

//Mind Tools, Brainstorming//. 2008. Mind Tools Ltd. 12 January 2008 http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html

"Post-It Brainstorm." __Natebu__. 4 May 2007. 29 Jan. 2008 <[|http://natebu.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/post-it/>.]

Sessums, Christopher D. "Keeping Up with Technological Change: Has the Future Arrived Too Soon?" 11 Dec. 2006. 29 Jan. 2008 <[|http://eduspaces.net/csessums/weblog/143011.html>.]