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

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

Do Preconceived Notions Limit Your Creativity?

Examples

Can You Figure out the Algorithm Used for the Following Alphabetic Arrangement?

Dot Puzzle

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

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!

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

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

Examples

Flying Machines Solar car Design Ice Cubes Hanging Door Ping pong ball …

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 predatorLand on spot (e.g. branch)Take off from spot

Fly (specified distance and payload)LandTake off

Review: FR Approach

Creativity occurs in both the overall product concept and in detail designZig-zag between with FR and Design Solutions

1. Define FRs2. Develop multiple design solutions to satisfy FRs3. Select a Design Solution4. Define FRs of subcomponents5. Develop multiple design solutions for

subcomponents 6. Continue process through detail design …

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

Example: Vintage Ice Cube Trays

Problem: Arm often breaks Especially after water is overfilled

Obvious Solution Make arm stronger

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.

Example: Hanging Door

The doors slide freely in the rail. The animations show what the actual door is supposed to look like.

Example: Hanging Door

The Original Door

Originally, door was held up through a screw and bolt.

Bolt Dropped

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.

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?

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

New Design Solution

Multiple Solutions Exist keeping bolt hanging from cart: Pin through bolt

A New Solution Can Take Many Steps

but 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

Door Works Again!

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

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

Example: High Speed Photography

Traditional Photography Shutter speed determines duration of photo                 

The Edgerton Center

                                                               

                                                                               

Projector

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

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

Solar Car Design