Activity 7: Thinking Tools

A tool is a concept or object which allows for effective and efficient work to accomplished. We were introduced to visual organisers, we had to think creatively and we were introduced to tools and ways which ignited our creativity. Slice and Dice and S.C.A.M.P.E.R. were the two tools we used in class helped organise our thoughts in a way where they are visually appealing. These tools were taught in class and helped us to think efficiently and effectively.

- Slice and Dice - Means breaking down a task (problem) into smaller tasks. By slicing and dicing we identify and list various attributes of a problem. We can then work on attribute at the time to stimulate new ideas. A slice is a long strip that has been cut and a dice is a cube cut from that slice. This tool prevented me from going vague. Breaking down any situation into smaller situations and coming down to a level where one can start working at the. Within a problem there are many task which can be further divided. Working on a dice first helps be more productive. Working with Slicing and dicing helps in identifying different attributes of a problem. We can then work on one attribute at a time to stimulate a new idea. Common ways (broad slices) to list down attributes of a product are descriptive, functional, emotional, process, social.

- S.C.A.M.P.E.R. - it an acronym for substitute, combine, adapt, modify/ magnify, put into another use, eliminate, reverse/ rearrange. This tool can be applied to various products and the attributes can be looked into separately as well. This allows for us to generate ideas in a systematic way.

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Warm-up activity

1.

For warm up on slice & dice we practiced applying the tool on a pencil. We listed down the different attributes of a specific yellow pencil (above)

2.

For warm up on S.C.A.M.P.E.R., we were shown some examples which were prepared before hand. The examples shown to us was a spoon and a hammer (above and below respectively)

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Main activity

We were all divided into groups and we were to choose either stationery or kitchen as our category. We had to work as group and apple Slice and dice on an object from the category we chose. We picked an Xacto knife from the category - Stationery. and we worked on that. We all had to choose one attribute I went with process.

Then we had to choose a object from the same category individually and apply S.C.A.M.P.E.R., I chose a

My group and I decided on the category of stationary and chose an Xacto knife as our object for slice and dice. We decided to divide the attributes amongst ourselves. I chose to go with descriptive attributes. After our group had written about the attributes allowed to them we went through them as a group and discussed if and what was missing.

Group task from the google slide

Next we moved onto working on our individual tasks. I chose an eraser for the task where had to use the tool - S.C.A.M.P.E.R. After listing down the attributes I had to go back to the examples which were given to us, as I had forgotten what each meant and what were the extent of each attribute that we could go to, since all the attributes seemed to have a rather thin line between themselves. I drew out and laid out my drawings on Miro and wrote a little bit explaining the drawings.

Individual task done on Miro

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Reflection

- This think lab session was very informative as we got to learn techniques that help designers to stay effective and efficient.

- The tools that we learnt were very new and working step by step in an orderly manner somehow made us be more creative and generate more ideas.

- As a group I think we did well but could definitely think of more accurate possibilities in accordance to what brief was given and what the teachers wanted us to do.

- Regardless of the struggles I see myself becoming better at understanding the briefs and being able to have a better outcome while applying my previous knowledge.

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Learning mantra of the day

We all have the mind to think, but still we require tools to take it to the next level and at the same time stay efficient and effective.