Catalog Method
A method for forcibly generating new ideas by connecting numerous images from catalogs to the design subject
Alphabet System Method
A method for generating ideas by defining artifacts starting with each letter of the alphabet and forcibly connecting them to the design subject
Brainstorming Method
A method where each member freely generates ideas about the design subject as they come to mind
NID Method
An ideation method conducted with members from different domains
Hope Point Listing / Defect Listing Method
A method for generating improvement ideas by listing hopes and desires for the design subject and considering means to achieve them
Casting Method
A method for forcibly generating diverse ideas that are difficult to conceive from one's current perspective by examining the design subject from the viewpoints of elderly people, children, etc.
Gordon Method
A method for generating ideas free from preconceptions by conducting brainstorming on an abstracted version of the design subject
Stimulus Word Method
A method for generating unexpected ideas by forcibly connecting the design subject with completely unrelated words or phrases
Focus Method
A method for generating ideas with unique characteristics by forcibly connecting unique features of various products and services with the design subject
Checklist Method
A method for comprehensive ideation by examining predetermined items such as 'What if we make it larger?' or 'What if we reverse it?' for the design subject
KJ Method
A method for generating ideas from various perspectives by repeatedly brainstorming and grouping for the design subject
Mind Map Method
A method for organizing and generating ideas by associating in all directions from the design subject placed at the center of the screen
Triangle-Circle-Square (Stupa) Method
A method for generating new concepts by extracting three design elements for the design subject and combining them
Bionics Method
A method for generating unprecedented ideas by drawing analogies between biological ecology, structures, functions, and mechanisms with the design subject
Paired Association Method
A method for generating completely new ideas by forcibly combining design elements of any two things
Mood Board Method
A method for generating ideas by collecting images related to the design subject from various media, compiling them on a single board, and viewing them
Brainwriting Method
A method for generating diverse ideas by conducting brainstorming silently and collecting an equal number of opinions from everyone
Kozane (Card Slip) Method
A method for generating new ideas by extracting various design elements for the design subject onto cards (kozane) and arranging them in a logical sequence
Synectics Method
A method for generating concrete ideas by performing analogical thinking (direct analogy, personal analogy, symbolic analogy, fantasy analogy) based on expert analysis of the design subject
NM Method
A method for ideation by extracting design elements related to the design subject and forcibly associating them with similar objects having similar elements
ZK Method
A method for generating new ideas from the fishbone format summary of ideas generated through individual meditation
Attribute Listing Method
A method for generating new ideas by listing all attributes such as characteristics and features of the design subject and modifying those attributes
Systematic Diagram Method
A method for generating comprehensive means of achievement by branching out the process of considering means to achieve the design goal
Cause-and-Effect Diagram Method
A method for identifying problems and discovering improvements by expressing causal relationships in a fishbone-shaped diagram
Purpose Development Method
A method for discovering essential purposes by examining the purpose of using the design subject through multiple levels
Virtual Situation Setting Method
A method for generating multi-timescale ideas by setting virtual situations vastly different from the current state for the design subject and translating them into realistic solutions
TRIZ Method
A method for generating ideas for problem-solving by applying 40 inventive principles from patents to challenges of the design subject
SWOT Analysis Method
A method for generating future strategies by organizing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the design subject (mainly business)
Benchmarking Method
A method for generating improvement ideas by comparing the design subject with the world's best practices
Persona Method
A method for generating ideas that enhance user satisfaction by assuming usage situations of virtual users representing the target user segment for the design subject
Structured Concept Method
A method for generating new design concepts by listing requirements for the design subject, then grouping and abstracting them
Service Blueprint Method
A method for generating ideas that enhance user satisfaction by representing user and staff actions in chart format for the design subject (service)
Role-Playing Method
A method for generating ideas by individually taking on the perspectives of various users for the design subject
Value Analysis Method
A method for generating ideas to reduce costs while maintaining product performance by replacing each component of the design subject with lower-cost components having the same functionality
Reverse Setting Method
A method for generating diverse ideas that respond to lifestyle changes by extracting each component element of the design subject and reversing them
Road Mapping Method
A method for generating scenarios to achieve goals by understanding current and future market requirements for the design subject and analyzing gaps between them
PDPC Method
A method for generating the correct path to achieve goals by predicting various states in the progress of a plan in advance
SKIT Method
A method for generating various ideas about product usage by having multiple members act out usage scenes of the design subject
Gallery Method
A method for generating new related ideas by posting multiple idea sketches about the design subject on walls and circulating around to view them
Backcasting Method
A method for generating means to achieve future goals by setting future goals for the design subject and creating steps working backward to the present
Forecasting Method
A method for generating realistic goals and means to achieve them by setting future goals from current situation analysis and statistical data about the design subject
Scenario Writing Method
A method for generating product ideas that continue to provide value into the future by examining future trends in science and technology related to the design subject
5W1H Method
A method for generating ideas that respond to diverse situations by assuming various usage scenes by various users for the design subject
Auto-Ethnography Method
A method for generating new perspectives on challenges by analyzing one's own personal experiences related to the design subject
Social Listening Method
A method for generating ideas for market-demanded functions and designs by researching online reviews and social media posts about the design subject
Think in Reverse Method
A method for paradoxically generating means for goal achievement by deliberately listing means that would NOT achieve the design goal
Six Hats Method
A method for generating diverse ideas by presenting opinions from six perspectives about the design subject: objective, intuitive, positive, negative, innovative, and holistic
Blue-sky Thinking Method
A method for generating ideas by removing all realistic constraints and settings for the design subject
Fish Bowl Method
A method for generating subjective and objective ideas by dividing into people who brainstorm about the design subject and people who observe
10x10 Method
A method for generating diverse ideas by drawing 10 idea sketches in 10 minutes for the design subject, sharing them with teammates, and then drawing 10 more idea sketches
Brain Walking Method
A method for generating diverse ideas by posting design elements of the design subject around the room and having multiple people freely view them while adding ideas that come to mind
Mission Impossible Method
A method for generating essential problem-solving ideas by deliberately setting an impossible design goal against the original design goal and thinking about how to achieve it
Word Association Method
A method for generating new ideas by associating design elements in a chain from the design subject and combining them
Mash-up Method
A method for generating new ideas by listing words from three genres unrelated to the design subject and combining them
6-3-5 Method
A method for generating as many ideas as possible by having 6 people each generate 3 ideas in 5 minutes about the design subject, repeated multiple times
Accidental Genius Method
A method for generating ideas by writing down thoughts about the design subject on paper and reviewing them
Role Reversal Method
A method for generating mutually agreeable opinions by having people from different positions generate ideas while taking each other's positions about the design subject
Parallel Design Method
A method for speedily generating diverse ideas by having multiple groups separately generate ideas about the design subject and ultimately combining those ideas
Do Nothing Method
A method for generating what truly needs to be done by considering situations that would occur if nothing were done about the design subject
Taking Pictures Method
A method for generating new ideas by capturing surrounding scenes in photographs and connecting the inspiration gained from them to the design subject
Bug Listening Method
A method for generating ideas for improvements to products and services or new business ideas by listing uncomfortable things experienced in daily life
CATWOE Method
A method for generating purposes and challenges of services by extracting the environment surrounding the service from the CATWOE perspectives
Cherry Split Method
A method for generating concrete ideas for problem-solving by breaking down elements that constitute the design challenge into pairs like cherries
Fresh Eye Method
A method for generating unexpected ideas by having completely uninvolved third parties think about solutions to design challenges
Dream Journal Method
A method for generating new ideas by connecting the contents of dreams to design challenges
Super Hero Method
A method for generating innovative ideas by fully embodying a superhero role to think about solutions to design challenges
Tug of War Method
A method for generating ideas for problem-solving by listing best-case and worst-case scenarios for design challenges
Do It Method
A method for generating concrete ideas for problem-solving by clarifying design challenges