Idea generation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a range of strategies to create design ideas which avoid design fixation.
Key learning points
- A range of strategies can be used to expand design thinking.
- Exploring multiple ideas encourages creativity and leads to more innovative design outcomes.
Keywords
Design strategy - a method of generating ideas
Design requirements - something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
Design fixation - consider only one possible solution
Innovation - introducing new or improved ideas
Annotation - a comment added to a design to provide explanation, clarification, or extra information
Common misconception
The first idea is always the best.
Creativity improves with divergent thinking and iteration - the first idea is rarely the final one.
Teacher tip
Share famous examples of multiple iterations of existing products.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How can you avoid design fixation when writing a design brief?
Q2.Match the keyword to its correct definition:
outlines the design opportunity and identifies a primary user
something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
someone or something that gives you ideas
a method for finding out design requirements
Q3.Which of the following is not a research technique?
Q4.Research techniques help to define ...
Q5.Visiting a shop to look at the range of products they sell is an example of ...
Q6.Why is it important to create more than one design idea?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Annotating design ideas is important to ...
Q2.Match the keyword to the definition:
a comment added to provide explanation, clarification, or information
a method of generating ideas
consider only one possible solution
introducing new or improved ideas
something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
Q3.Biomimicry is when inspiration is taken from ...
Q4.Match the design strategy to the definition:
working together to develop design ideas
combining product features to explore new ideas
drawing quick ideas to explore design concepts
taking apart products to understand how they work
combining unlike ideas
Q5.Which design strategy does this image show?
Q6.Which design strategies may require you to attribute ‘someone’ or ‘something’?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Idea generation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Idea generation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Inclusive Design: Mental Health and Wellbeing unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.