Which design process encourages generating many ideas to solve problems?

Which design process encourages generating many ideas to solve problems?

• A. Prototyping
• B. Brainstorming
• C. Sketching
• D. Ideation

Answer: (B)

Generating many ideas to solve problems is the hallmark of brainstorming, a collaborative design activity built to produce a large number of potential solutions quickly. The goal is to suspend judgment and encourage wild or unconventional thoughts, then build on teammates’ ideas to expand possibilities. This emphasis on volume first increases the chances of discovering truly innovative directions before you start narrowing down and refining. Prototyping, by contrast, is about turning ideas into tangible trials to test what works. Sketching is a quick visual way to capture concepts. Ideation refers to the broader phase of creating concepts and ideas, which includes brainstorming but isn’t the same structured process focused specifically on generating many ideas.

Generating many ideas to solve problems is the hallmark of brainstorming, a collaborative design activity built to produce a large number of potential solutions quickly. The goal is to suspend judgment and encourage wild or unconventional thoughts, then build on teammates’ ideas to expand possibilities. This emphasis on volume first increases the chances of discovering truly innovative directions before you start narrowing down and refining.

Prototyping, by contrast, is about turning ideas into tangible trials to test what works. Sketching is a quick visual way to capture concepts. Ideation refers to the broader phase of creating concepts and ideas, which includes brainstorming but isn’t the same structured process focused specifically on generating many ideas.