In our first week of final year, we ran through an induction about the modules we would be completing. The module of IXD501 consists of creating and developing a product to showcase as our final project. Throughout the class, we were told to be as open as we can about projects we should take on forward and that should challenge us.
We were also told to come up with ideas that can put us in odd situations where we can find the best solution. Whether it is uncontainable, the problem can still be reached by trying out different ideas. This leads to 'negative brainstorming' as well. It is finding out about the negative or unintended consequences of a product. For example; Disney+ and Netflix introduced Watch Party where users can watch shows/movies in different locations at the same time. And Spotify with 'Share Listening'. These digital services came up with outcomes to reintroduce a bad solution into a good product. They encourage users to stay indoors more, which has a negative impact on cinemas and social engagement. The moral of the story is to reach out for bad outcomes and give them better prospects we can seek.
Osborn Checklist is an ideation technique created by Alex Osborn that includes brainstorming and combining existing features to construct new ideas. The question addresses alternative routes that can be taken or modified to improve the use of the product/element. The checklist has six categories:
| Substitute | How can the element within the product be swapped with something else and how would make an impression |
|---|---|
| Combine | What elements can be combined and how would it affect the product? |
| Adapt | Are there ways the product can be adapted to a different context? |
| Modify | Modifications to make to improve the product |
| Eliminate | Are there any eliminations to decrease the problem of the product? |
| Rearrange or Reverse | What can be rearranged to make the product better |
Before we moved onto the next part of class, we did a small exercise to refresh our brains. This exercise was to draw 30 circles and draw 30 items; the circles could either be individual objects or they could be combined. Although, I didn’t complete all 30 circles in a limited time, I thought this exercise was a good idea as it allowed me to kick start my thinking skills before moving onto the main project.
As our introduction to the module, we started off by doing a group project (Erik, Bebhionn, Ryan and I) where we choose a topic we want to do and explore problems within the product/service and address a solution. The topic we chose is Homelessness.