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Can One Learn to Be More Creative?

Can One Learn to Be More Creative?. Can One Learn To Be More Creative?. I believe yes! There is a systematic approach. What blocks our creativity?. There are various types of conceptual blocks How can we avoid them?. Remember the Creative Environment.

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Can One Learn to Be More Creative?

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  1. Can One Learn to Be More Creative?

  2. Can One Learn To Be More Creative? • I believe yes! • There is a systematic approach What blocks our creativity? • There are various types of conceptual blocks • How can we avoid them?

  3. Remember the Creative Environment • Defer criticism during concept generation • Discuss ideas with others • Create a large number of concepts • Build on “crazy” ideas • Play with parts • Copy ideas from other designs • Creative role models

  4. Do Preconceived Notions Limit Your Creativity?

  5. Examples • Can You Figure out the Algorithm Used for the Following Alphabetic Arrangement?

  6. Dot Puzzle Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas, by James L. Adams

  7. Conceptual Blocks • Preconceived notions may limit the range of creative ideas • The more design experience one has, the more one is susceptible to conceptual blocks!

  8. Defining the Right Problem • Are you solving the right question? • “The Answer is the in Question” Robert Apfel • Avoid conceptual blocks • Conceptual blocks can: • Prevent ideas from being considered • Promote other ideas too much

  9. Solution Neutral Environment:A Systematic Approach for Creativity • Define function of machine independent of possible solutions • Functional Requirements (FRs) • What the machine or part needs to do, not how it does it (i.e. not the design solution) • Select a minimum set of FRs • Identify the essence of the problem

  10. Examples • Flying Machines • Solar car Design • Ice Cubes • Hanging Door • Ping pong ball • …

  11. Flying Machines for Transporting People:Why Didn’t Flapping Wing Designs Work Bird Flight FRs Human Flight FRs Fly with ability to catch prey or avoid predator Land on spot (e.g. branch) Take off from spot Fly (specified distance and payload) Land Take off

  12. Review: FR Approach • Creativity occurs in both the overall product concept and in detail design • Zig-zag between with FR and Design Solutions • Define FRs • Develop multiple design solutions to satisfy FRs • Select a Design Solution • Define FRs of subcomponents • Develop multiple design solutions for subcomponents • Continue process through detail design …

  13. Cold Drink Problem Problem Statement • I would like to have a cold drink when (colder than my refrigerator) I get home List FRs Design Solutions • come up with large number

  14. Example: Vintage Ice Cube Trays • Problem: Arm often breaks • Especially after water is overfilled • Obvious Solution • Make arm stronger

  15. Conceptual Breakthrough in Ice Cube Tray Design FRs of Ice Cube Tray • Hold water • Release ice cubes New Flexible Design • Not stronger but more flexible • There is no arm! • Original problem was not solved, it was eliminated. When Possible: Do not solve a problem, instead eliminate the problem.

  16. Example: Hanging Door

  17. Example: Hanging Door The doors slide freely in the rail. The animations show what the actual door is supposed to look like.

  18. The Original Door Originally, door was held up through a screw and bolt.

  19. Bolt Dropped Wall But one day the bolt dropped, causing the door to be crooked and cannot slide correctly. It is really hard to try to get the nut and bolt back in the slider. We cannot slide the door off the rail and put the nut back on because there is a wall in the way.

  20. What Problem Should Be Solved? • Obvious problem: • How to put the nut back on • If one cannot find a good solution to the obvious problem, then look at FRs • What is the purpose of the nut? • What are its Functional Requirements?

  21. Conceptual Breakthrough Using Functional Requirement Approach • Functional Requirements of Nut • Prevent bolt from sliding through cart • Multiple design solutions exist to the new problem statement

  22. New Design Solution • Multiple Solutions Exist keeping bolt hanging from cart: • Pin through bolt

  23. A New Solution Can Take Many Stepsbut Progress is Often Quick • Drill hole through rail and bolt • Tap hole in bolt • Create long set screw (buy Dremel tool) • Cover up hole with duct tape

  24. Door Works Again!

  25. Summary • When stuck, move back one level in the design • Try eliminating a problem (as opposed to solving or optimizing an existing design) • Identify the essence of the problem • Every part in your design should have a purpose; otherwise it should not be there • Keep track of your conceptual breakthroughs and blocks

  26. Key Concepts and Terminology • Conceptual Block • Conceptual Breakthrough • The Answer is in the Question • Solution Neutral Environment • Functional Requirements (FRs) • Minimum set of FRs • Eliminating the Problem

  27. Example: High Speed Photography Traditional Photography • Shutter speed determines duration of photo The Edgerton Center

  28. Projector http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-projector1.htm

  29. References • Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas, by James L. Adams • Axiomatic Design, by Nam Suh • The Answer is in the Question, by Robert Apfel

  30. Solar Car Design

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