Lesson 23 · Unit 3

Ideation — Generating
Distinct Solutions

Move beyond cosmetic variations. Generate genuinely different approaches that respond to the same evidence.

80 minutesB2.1.10–B2.1.11Criterion C preview

Guiding question: How can designers generate a diverse range of appropriate ideas instead of one idea with small variations?01

Today’s destination

By the end of class, you should be able to…

Explain distinct approaches

Recognize the difference between a new design strategy and a cosmetic variation.

Apply ideation techniques

Generate a range of diverse and appropriate responses to a problem statement.

Use specifications

Compare ideas with user needs and design criteria during refinement.

Prepare for Criterion C

Understand why feasibility, annotation, testing and user feedback matter later.

Success check: explain the concept accurately, then use it to make a justified design decision.

Know it → use it → explain the evidence.02

B2.1.10

Ideation is purposeful divergence.

The goal is not “many drawings.” The goal is multiple plausible ways to solve the same defined problem.

Diverge

Open the solution space

Delay commitment long enough to explore different mechanisms, arrangements, interactions or product architectures.

Anchor

Use the problem + specs

Ideas still need to respond to user needs, constraints and success criteria.

Converge later

Compare with evidence

Evaluation and testing help identify which directions deserve development.

Diversity without relevance is noise; relevance without diversity is fixation.03

Concept check

Different colour ≠ different design approach.

Cosmetic variation

Same architecture, different surface.

Blue shell → red shell → black shell. The underlying interaction, layout and function remain essentially unchanged.

Distinct approach

Different way of solving the problem.

Foldable structure vs modular structure vs sliding structure; tactile control vs touch interface vs lever mechanism.

Ask: what core design decision actually changed?04

Ideation techniques

Change the architecture, not just the decoration.

Rearrange

Change spatial organization.

Front-loading → side-loading; stacked → radial; fixed → fold-away.

Change interaction

Change how the user controls it.

Push → squeeze → rotate → slide → voice → automatic sensing.

Change system

Change the product architecture.

One-piece → modular; disposable → refillable; rigid → flexible; passive → responsive.

Distinctness often comes from changing the system logic.05

Combine alternatives

Break the problem into functions, then recombine options.

Function	Option A	Option B	Option C
Open / close	Hinge	Slide	Flex
Hold product	Clip	Magnet	Elastic cradle
Feedback	Visual	Auditory	Haptic
Adjust	Telescopic	Rotating	Interchangeable module

Technique: choose unusual combinations to create directions you would not have sketched from memory.

Structured ideation can reduce design fixation.06

Apply it

Idea diversity test

A student redesigning a desk organizer creates six ideas. All six use the same rectangular tray and same compartment layout; only colour, corner radius and surface pattern change.

How should the student improve the ideation set?

Choose before you reveal the feedback.07

Communicate the idea

Annotate what a feature does and why it exists.

Weak annotation

“Rubber grip”

Labels a feature but does not communicate design reasoning.

Stronger annotation

“Textured elastomer zone increases grip for users with reduced hand strength; test against Spec U3 using timed handling trials.”

Links feature → user need → specification → future testing.

Good annotations make the design interpretable by someone else.08

IA connection

Your best ideas will eventually need evidence, not just sketches.

Best feasible ideas

The top markband expects three of the best possible annotated, feasible redesign ideas.

Testing

Compare against specifications

Use models, drawings or CAD to gather evidence about feasibility and performance.

User feedback

Evaluate differences

Intended-user feedback should help identify which direction deserves development.

Generate more than three before selecting your best three.09

Activity · 15 minutes

8 ideas in 8 boxes.

Write the problem statement at the top.

Use one box per idea. Keep sketches quick.

Every two boxes, force a new architecture / interaction / arrangement.

Annotate the one specification each idea addresses best.

Speed can reduce attachment to the first idea.10

Converge with evidence

Do not choose only by appearance.

Idea	User need	Essential specs	Feasibility	What to test next?
A	Strong	Mostly	Medium	Mechanism
B	Medium	All	High	Comfort
C	Strong	All	Unknown	Scale model

B2.1.11: iterative analysis and evaluation against specifications and user needs should improve ideas.

Evaluation is a development tool—not just a final score.11

Vocabulary lab

Ideation vocabulary

Retrieve first. Then check.

TermIdeationClick to reveal

MeaningGenerating a range of possible ways to solve a defined design problem.

TermDivergent thinkingClick to reveal

MeaningExpanding the solution space by exploring many different possibilities.

TermConvergent thinkingClick to reveal

MeaningNarrowing possibilities using evidence, constraints and evaluation.

TermDesign fixationClick to reveal

MeaningBecoming overly attached to an early idea and failing to explore alternatives.

TermDistinct approachClick to reveal

MeaningA meaningfully different way of solving the problem, not a cosmetic variation.

TermFeasible ideaClick to reveal

MeaningAn idea that could plausibly be developed within the project’s constraints and requirements.

TermAnnotationClick to reveal

MeaningWritten communication that explains features, reasoning, evidence or testing—not just labels parts.

TermIterationClick to reveal

MeaningRepeatedly improving ideas using analysis, testing and feedback.

Say the meaning before you flip the card.12

Knowledge check

Can you retrieve it without looking back?

1. What does B2.1.10 require students to develop?

A range of diverse and appropriate ideas that address the problem statement and respond to design specifications.

2. Why are six colour variants not six strong concepts?

Because they do not demonstrate distinct approaches to solving the problem.

3. What should guide convergence?

Design specifications, user needs, feasibility, testing and feedback.

4. Why generate more than three ideas for IA?

So you can explore broadly and then present the three best feasible redesign ideas rather than settling on the first three.

Say the answer first. Then reveal it.13

Exit ticket

Before you leave…

1. Describe one technique that helps generate distinct ideas.

2. Explain the difference between a cosmetic variation and a distinct approach.

3. Choose one of today’s ideas and name the specification it responds to best.

Next lesson

Sketching as a Design Tool

Keep the evidence chain moving: user → research → decision → test.

Curriculum alignment
B2.1.10 diverse appropriate ideation · B2.1.11 iterative analysis against specifications and user needs · Criterion C preparation.

Lesson complete14 slides

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IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 2314

Ideation — GeneratingDistinct Solutions