Design is the creativity used to solve a problem through visual communication. There are many elements to design and it incorporates many fields within such as; engineering, architecture, product/ interior design, advertising graphics, animation, illustration and art.
The level of complexity in design decreases as this list above progresses. This is due to the specification and briefs in which each field have to respond to, some briefs leave no room for creativity or manipulation, whereas other are open to interpretation and give designers free creative rein as in the case of art professional’s (whose difference and off the wall designs are highly credited for uniqueness.) Engineers and architects on the other hand, while having creative abilities, they cannot always push these as their designs have to have functionality and have to ‘work’.
This is all down to the mental processing that each person within each speciesism is believed to have.
The two way of thinking are; convergent and divergent. Once a definition is understood it is clear to recognise how a problem solving mindset or creativity mindset are different and produce different outcome as ‘solutions’.
Convergent thinkers focus their thoughts to problem solving through the most logical solution, all attention is directed to solving an issue scientifically and mathematically. These are the engineers and architects in the design sector.
Divergent thinkers on the other hand (like myself) work to find a solution through trial and error, by working and working on a piece, or several at once until something appears the most suitable. It seems illogical as it isn’t effective use of time initially, but these thinkers have empathy for others and others situations- and this is essential to be able to work (indirectly maybe) to produce a response that is suitable.
A key way to demonstrate this is through the characteristics a manager has in comparison to a designer.
A manager has a convergent mindset of which is problem orientated, and the designer on the other hand has a divergent one and is solution led. This is because solutions are achieved through experimentation, innovation and optimism. Holistic, free attitudes produce the more diverse visual designs which are needed.
Path a designer with divergent thinking needs;
- Trigger
- idea generation
- concept
- design concept
- development
- embodiment
- detail design
- finished article
These definitions strengthen my understanding.....
"concentrates on finding out the single best o frequently, correct solution to a problem or answer to a question"... "The focus for this thinking strategy is speed, logic ad accuracy and on identifying the known, reapplying techniques, and amassing stored information. This strategy is best suited for situations characterised by a readily available answer that just has to worked out or recalled by way of decision-making strategies."
