Brainstorming Vs Ideation

Brainstorming Vs Ideation

Brainstorming and ideation are two closely related but distinct processes used in design to generate creative ideas and solutions. Brainstorming is a collaborative group activity that encourages participants to freely share a large quantity of ideas without judgment, often in response to a specific problem or challenge. The focus is on generating as many ideas as possible, regardless of their feasibility or practicality, with the goal of stimulating creative thinking and building upon each other's suggestions. On the other hand, ideation is a broader term that encompasses various techniques and methods used to generate, develop, and communicate new ideas. It can be conducted individually or in groups and may involve structured or unstructured approaches, such as mind mapping, sketching, or prototyping. Ideation often follows a more strategic and focused approach, where ideas are systematically explored, evaluated, and refined based on specific criteria or objectives. While brainstorming emphasizes quantity and spontaneity, ideation places greater emphasis on the quality and viability of ideas in relation to the design goals. Both processes are valuable tools in the design process, as they help designers break free from conventional thinking, explore diverse perspectives, and discover innovative solutions to complex problems. Fun fact: The term brainstorming was coined by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn in the 1940s, who believed that group creativity could be enhanced by suspending judgment and encouraging wild ideas.

creative problem-solving, collaborative design, idea generation, innovation techniques, group dynamics, design thinking, creative stimulation, divergent thinking, convergent thinking

— Taylor Williams

CITATION : "Taylor Williams. 'Brainstorming Vs Ideation.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=436279 (Accessed on November 16, 2025)"