What happened when you last shared your idea with your colleagues? Was it a “hmmmm good idea” blunt reply or just a stare? Reasons can be many, maybe you found it difficult to picture it, maybe they could not imagine it well, or maybe the time wasn’t right.. But its frustrating, isn’t it?
This is usually what happens to great but abstract ideas. Designers mesmerize the rest when they put pen to paper! So that’s where you need to begin with.
Collect and Scribble info -
Take a note of all the random thoughts that gush into your mind about the idea. Compile any inspiration that you get across the room or over the internet. Do not miss on clearly writing down what the goal(s) are. Dedicate these 20 mins to taking notes on goals, opportunities and inspirations.
Because, “It all starts with a scribble”
(Scribble the information you collect)
Doodle rough solutions -
Putting an idea to design directly might not be very easy for all, but everyone can write words, draw boxes and express his or her ideas with clarity. Plenty of people worry about putting pen to paper, but anybody— absolutely anybody—can sketch a great solution. A sketch with boxes and arrows and few words. So just doodle some rough solution.
(doodle rough solutions)
The multi fold magical sheet -
Time to move to this interesting segment! This is pretty amazing. Fold a sheet into multiple folds. Try making variations to your ideas on every fold you move onto. Try different styles of representation. Take reference of your scribbled info sheet. Any new insertion to the idea, or an all to together different angle goes straight to the next fold!
This rapid sketching method is great for self brainstorming!
(The magical fold sheet!)
Final Go -
And finally, open up your multi fold sheet. You would be pretty much amazed to see all options with tweaking changes or giant leaps from first to the last fold. This is “The solution sketch”. This would definitely be a single well formed concept with all required details and the best angle to the problem.
(The final design to be prototyped)
Final Words - These four steps provides a reliable way for anyone to make abstract ideas concrete and capture them in a simple sketch. Creating a sketch of the idea is the best way to move ahead. Now all you need to do is make a prototype out of these sketches and present it to your team and clients. Also prototype other potential sketches and share them through CanvasFlip. Because the UX analysis on each prototype would anyway speak about the superhit idea!
Do let us know about similar experiences. Let us know if this helps. Leave a comment below or drop me a mail me at monika[at]canvasflip.com