Ideation+-+Blue+Skies

Ideation - think it - Blue Skies - Where it all begins

Imagine being asked to think of any idea (no matter how wacky) for a new product or a new approach to NPD (New Product Development). This part is like a brainstorm or a mind-mapping exercise. In teams, each person will bring ideas to the table, to be discussed and then a decision will be made on the most feasible, acceptable, posssible solution from the discussion. It may not go any further - but ALL ideas are considered.

This ideas thingy is also used in the classroom to initiate ideas and to help students think outside the square so that eventually they will come up with lots of creative and interesting approaches. The template - there is no real template for students, but it is probably a good idea to keep all scribbled notes in a safe place or to use an exercise book or visual diary to write in all ideas and resource information. At Frucor - we were given the brief - 'think of any idea - product, concepts, packagaing...' Each person came back with 2-3 ideas. From everyone's ideas 2-3 are chosen, discussed further and presented to 'management'. They decide what idea will be chosen to be developed further. So who at school would have this role? The team get together again to brainstorm ideas for the idea chosen. At this stage lots of concept ideas are discussed and pulled to bits, then the group as individuals are asked to select their preferences. Another meeting is scheduled to actually decide on the concept and research begins - what the specs of the product might be? This process takes around 5-6 weeks with 5 meetings being conducted during this time. And, this is only the beginning! Research - this involves finding information from the internet, going shopping to find out what already exists, talking to people, finding as much information as is possible abouot the 'concept'. Report back and sampling, testing, experimenting with existing products. Let the fun begin!