Design Exploration
Design Processes
A creative and open-minded investigation of various design possibilities, often involving brainstorming, experimentation, and ideation. Design exploration encourages designers to think beyond conventional solutions, explore diverse concepts, and push the boundaries of creativity, fostering innovation and uniqueness in the final design.
In practice
Involves the creative investigation of different design possibilities and concepts. Design exploration is typically conducted in the early stages of a project to inspire innovative solutions. Its significance lies in fostering creativity, pushing boundaries, and discovering unique design approaches that may lead to breakthrough solutions. Design exploration allows designers to broaden their perspective and consider a range of possibilities before settling on a specific design direction.
Questions
What is Design Exploration?
Design exploration is the deliberate generation of many possible directions before committing to one, to find the range of what is possible.
Why do you use Design Exploration?
The first idea is rarely the best, and a team that skips exploration will defend its first idea because it is the only one it has.
How do you use/apply Design Exploration?
Set a time limit, generate widely and cheaply, keep the bad ideas visible for contrast, and only then start judging.
When do you use Design Exploration?
At the beginning of a phase, and any time the work has narrowed prematurely.
Who uses Design Exploration?
Designers of every discipline, often together in a workshop.
