BRAINSTORMING

Brainstorming is a structured method of developing creative solutions to problrms. It can be achieved individually or preferably in a group. It would be an invaluable tool for design projects as it incorporates lateral thinking techniques to look at sometimes radical solutions. Individually this method works, but may not be as effective as in a group because you do not have the experiences or the different perspectives of a group to develop ideas further, (group dynamics). Brainstorming can incorporate many different techniques, some of which we will be covering later in the course.

TEENAGE PRODUCT PROMOTION (brainstorm results)

What do we want it to do?
* excite
* want to buy
* tell friends (self promote)
* grab attention
* be used
Does it look?
* different - unique
* is it able to be adapted to personal preferences
* up to date - fashionable
* able to be on your person
How to promote
* use peer group - give free to peer "icons"
* promote through schools - find "cool" people at school and give free if they help promote
* "cool" adverts using animation and interactivity at popular teenage websites
* leave free promotional stickers at teenage shops
* host "X game" type events with prizes and giveaways at major shopping centres
* radio & TV on popular teenage stations
* teenage magazines - using free giveaways

Without knowing the specific product it does make it difficult to zero in on exact examples but I think we get the direction from the above

Below is the type of procedure that should be followed for a group brainstorming session

- Define the problem you want solved clearly, and lay out any criteria to be met.
- Keep the session focused on the problem
- Ensure that no one criticizes or evaluates ideas during the session. Criticism introduces an element of risk for group members when putting forward an idea. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session.
- Encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among members of the group. Try to get everyone to contribute and develop ideas, including the quietest members of the group
- Let people have fun brainstorming. Encourage them to come up with as many ideas as possible, from solidly practical ones to wildly impractical ones. -- Welcome creativity.
- Ensure that no train of thought is followed for too long
- Encourage people to develop other people's ideas, or to use other ideas to create new ones
- Appoint one person to note down ideas that come out of the session. A good way of doing this is to use a flip chart. This should be studied and evaluated after the session