The Brainstorm

The previous entry i talk about the design mentality and i mention the brainstorm. What is a brainstorm??

Brainstorming is one of the most valuable processes in which an "idea person" can engage. It is the simple process of writing down any and all ideas that come to mind when thinking on specific topic of challenge. There is one and only one fundamental rule to a brainstorm: there are not wrong answers in a brainstorm. The simple rule translates well to creativity and design because there are no wrong answer in design, simply ideas and possibilities that are more appropriate than others.

The designer cannot afford to become too attached to one seemingly good idea. In the process of design, ideas are shot down for a myriad of reasons, and the designer must be ready with a head full of other ideas waiting to be expressed.

For a designer, brainstorm is the freedom to conjure and cultivate any and all ideas that come to mind regarding a specific design challenge. These ideas are a product of that particular designer's background, education, past experiences, values, sources of inspiration and beliefs about design. These ideas are as individual as the designer,and it is this uniqueness that compels people to seek out designers for ideas and solutions.

The necessary first step of the brainstorm is the process of writing all of these ideas down. Creating a list or diagram of ideas gets them out of one's head and onto paper. Emptying he head creates room for more ideas to germinate and keeps the same ideas from circulating and cluttering the mind. Jotting down these ideas also results in a permanent record of them, so that none will be lost in the dark corridors of the brain.