A novel systematic approach for analysing exploratory design ideation

Hay, L., Duffy, A.H.B., Grealy, M., Tahsiri, M., McTeague, C. and Vuletic, T. (2020) A novel systematic approach for analysing exploratory design ideation. Journal of Engineering Design, 31(3), pp. 127-149. (doi: 10.1080/09544828.2019.1662381)

Abstract

Two kinds of design ideation process may be distinguished in terms of the problems addressed: (i) solution-focused, i.e. generating solutions to address a fixed problem specifying a desired output; and (ii) exploratory, i.e. considering different interpretations of an open-ended problem and generating associated solutions. Existing systematic analysis approaches focus on the former; the literature is lacking such an approach for the latter. In this paper, we provide a means to systematically analyse exploratory ideation for the first time through a new approach: Analysis of Exploratory Design Ideation (AEDI). AEDI involves: (1) open-ended ideation tasks; (2) coding of explored problems and solutions from sketches; and (3) evaluating ideation performance based on coding. We applied AEDI to 812 concept sketches from 19 open-ended tasks completed during a neuroimaging study of 30 professional product design engineers. Results demonstrate that the approach provides: (i) consistent tasks that stimulate problem exploration; (ii) a reliable means of coding explored problems and solutions; and (iii) an appropriate way to rank/compare designers’ performance. AEDI enables the benefits of systematic analysis (e.g. greater comparability, replicability, and efficiency) to be realised in exploratory ideation research, and studies using open-ended problems more generally. Future improvements include increasing coding validity and reliability.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the United Kingdom’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (AHBD, MG, LH, MT, grant number EP/M012123/1); and an EPSRC/University of Strathclyde Research Studentship (CM, grant number EP/M506643/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Vuletic, Dr Tijana
• Authors: Hay, L., Duffy, A.H.B., Grealy, M., Tahsiri, M., McTeague, C., and Vuletic, T.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Engineering Design
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 0954-4828
• ISSN (Online): 1466-1837
• Published Online: 16 September 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 University of Strathclyde
• First Published: First published in Journal of Engineering Design 31(3):127-149
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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