…of design thinking is ideation techniques.  It is aptly named ‘the heart’ since it is the step right in the middle of the whole process.  Ideation is built off of the two steps before it: empathize and define.  Once a problem has been recognized and established, the next step is to come up with ways to solve that problem.  That’s where ideation comes into play.

In order to create all of these ideas, there are techniques used to facilitate the process.  The most common one, that most people probably think of, is brainstorming.  “Brainstorm with your partner.”  That has been taught to us since elementary school.  While it is still a valid method, others may be more useful depending on the type of ideas one needs to come up with.

Not surprisingly, a lot of the other techniques include a collaborative environment to generate ideas.  The one that seemed the most interesting was the Co-Creation Workshops.  What was unique about this method was that other elements of the design thinking process are included.  It creates an all-encompassing series that allows individuals work through the whole design process amongst their peers.

Another one that stood out was the Creative Pause.  Everyone has hit a metaphorical brick wall at least once in their life.  This ideation technique actually says to embrace those times when nothing can come to your mind.  It allows for reflection and reconsideration of previous ideas.

Once there is a wide scope of ‘basic’ ideas to work with a few can be narrowed down and focused in on more.  Just because an idea is created, that doesn’t mean that it is any good, but it is progress.  One really bad idea is better than no ideas.