Short answer

Adopt a structured approach that mandates parallel activities of information gathering, idea creation, and critical reflection throughout the concept design phase.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (2010)
Method: Exploratory research and comparative study
Evidence: Moderate effect

Integrating information gathering and reflection alongside idea generation in concept design leads to higher quality, more detailed, and varied concepts. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde). Using Exploratory research and comparative study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a structured approach that mandates parallel activities of information gathering, idea creation, and critical reflection throughout the concept design phase.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

ICR Grid enhances concept design quality through structured information integration

Integrating information gathering and reflection alongside idea generation in concept design leads to higher quality, more detailed, and varied concepts.

Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) · 2010

Key Findings

01The ICR Grid produces fewer concepts than the 6-3-5 Method but results in concepts of higher quality, variety, and detail.
02The ICR Grid facilitates a structured yet flexible approach to integrating information with idea creation and reflection.
03Industrial application of the ICR Grid generally yielded positive feedback.

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt a structured approach that mandates parallel activities of information gathering, idea creation, and critical reflection throughout the concept design phase.

How to apply

Implement a grid-based system where concept ideas are explicitly linked to the information sources that informed them, with dedicated phases for reflection and analysis of these links.

Project actions

01When developing a new design concept, ensure you are not just brainstorming but also actively researching and documenting the information that influences your ideas.
02Build in specific times for reflection to analyze how the information you've gathered supports or challenges your concepts.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can a structured design method improve the utilization of digital information during the concept design phase to enhance the quality and variety of generated concepts?

MethodExploratory research and comparative study

ProcedureThe research involved examining existing design process models, analyzing team information use patterns through protocol analysis, and reviewing literature on digital information support. Inspired by computer games, a new method, the ICR (Inform, Create, Reflect) Grid, was developed and prototyped. This method was then evaluated through a comparative study against the 6-3-5 Method and tested in three industrial settings.

ContextConcept design teams, digital information management in design processes

Variables

IVThe design method used (ICR Grid vs. 6-3-5 Method)

DVQuality, variety, and detail of concepts produced

CVDesign task, team composition, time constraints

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+The method explicitly addresses the critical but often overlooked integration of information in concept design.
+It was tested in both academic and industrial settings, providing a degree of real-world validation.

Limitations

The ICR Grid might lead to fewer concepts, so consider if your project requires a high volume of initial ideas or a focus on depth and quality.

Reliability & validity

The comparative study with the 6-3-5 Method and the industrial trials provide some external validity. Reliability would depend on consistent application of the method across different teams and tasks.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'game-like' inspiration for the ICR Grid influence its effectiveness, and could other non-design-related inspirations yield similar or better results?

Design Principles

"Concept quality is enhanced by systematically linking information resources with the iterative processes of idea generation and critical evaluation."

Effective concept design is foundational to successful product development. By providing a structured yet flexible framework for managing information and encouraging diverse modes of thinking, this method can help design teams avoid common pitfalls of information overload or underutilization, leading to more robust and innovative initial ideas.

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that when designers actively look for and use information while they are creating ideas, and then think about that information, they come up with better, more detailed ideas, even if they don't come up with as many ideas overall.

How to use in your project

1.Reference the ICR Grid method to justify a structured approach to information gathering and concept development in your design process section.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The design process employed the principles of the ICR Grid, systematically integrating information gathering, concept creation, and critical reflection. This approach ensured that each concept was grounded in relevant research and analysis, leading to a more robust and detailed set of initial design directions.

Source

Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde)

Interactive digital support for concept design teams

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about icr grid enhances concept design quality through structured information integration?: Adopt a structured approach that mandates parallel activities of information gathering, idea creation, and critical reflection throughout the concept design phase. Evidence: Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (2010).
Why does "ICR Grid enhances concept design quality through structured information integration" matter for design?: Effective concept design is foundational to successful product development. By providing a structured yet flexible framework for managing information and encouraging diverse modes of thinking, this method can help design teams avoid common pitfalls of information overload or underutilization, leading to more robust and innovative initial ideas.
How can designers apply this research?: Adopt a structured approach that mandates parallel activities of information gathering, idea creation, and critical reflection throughout the concept design phase.
What were the main findings?: The ICR Grid produces fewer concepts than the 6-3-5 Method but results in concepts of higher quality, variety, and detail.. The ICR Grid facilitates a structured yet flexible approach to integrating information with idea creation and reflection.. Industrial application of the ICR Grid generally yielded positive feedback.
What research method was used?: Exploratory research and comparative study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2010 journal from Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde).
What should I do differently in my next project?: Implement a grid-based system where concept ideas are explicitly linked to the information sources that informed them, with dedicated phases for reflection and analysis of these links.
What are the limitations?: The study produced fewer concepts compared to a benchmark method; further research is needed to explore optimal balance and scalability.