Class 3_2 Today’s topics: Creativity tips, continued Brainstorming and morph’ chart Evaluating alternative designs (Weighted Objectives Table)

What you should be working on… Develop three alternative designs for your design project. Write one page for each alternative. Include a sketch of the concept and a list of strengths and weaknesses for each alternative Evaluate alternatives using W.O.T. Bring a good draft of this work to class next Tuesday.

Questions about DP? Don’t forget to read the design requirement clarifications that are posted on our website.

Please turn off monitors.

Review Design rule-of-three: Always invent at least 3 alternative designs for any design or part of a design.

Observations… Smart does not equal creative Henry Ford story: time to think important

Creativity tips Don’t artificially restrict the problem Don’t stop with the first idea! Do use a variety of thinking “languages” (verbal, visual, mathematical, musical…) Do seek analogies, imagery, playfulness

Creativity tips Don’t fear looking stupid or unconventional Do get as much information as is reasonably available. Adding one new piece of information greatly improves the chance of coming up with a creative solution.

How to invent alternatives? Think… Use creative problem solving techniques Brainstorm Try a morphological chart

Creativity tips, cont. Do let problems incubate Requires “charging” first!

Creativity tips, cont. Do withhold judgment Do assume that creativity can be enhanced with practice

Brainstorming A creative idea generation technique Rules: 1.Work with a group, 3-6 best 2.Try to think of ideas quickly 3.Do not judge any ideas 4.Feed off of other’s ideas 5.Write down all ideas 6.Be playful, silly, “crazy” 7.Work through the mid-way slump

Brainstorming exercise Get into a group Brainstorm ideas for: “How can I get a good grade in strength of materials?” Follow the rules for brainstorming. Write ideas on transparency for display to class.

Define the problem Specify product requirements Invent alternatives Evaluate the alternatives Engineer the details / analyze performance Test prototypes Report complete product description Model of the Design Process

Evaluating alternatives If you have done your work well, you now have 3 feasible alternatives How do you decide which is best? a.Think… b.Discuss with colleagues c.Do some analysis/modeling/testing d.Weighted objectives table

Weighted objectives table A simple technique for evaluating your alternatives Example in our Design Report Template

Advantages of W.O.T approach Systematizes your thinking Also makes your decision easier to present to others Can be done collaboratively to try to arrive at a consensus decision Don’t “cheat”! Try not to bias your use of the process with preconceived decision

Tuesday is an alternative designs work session. Please bring your draft work to class. This should include alternative designs and a WOT. That’s all for today!