How to Use S.C.A.M.P.E.R. for Combining Ideas and Further Refinements

The  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Technique in a Nutshell

A little recap on what S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is all about:

 S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is an idea generation technique. The function of a technique is to assist the user to perform a tasks more efficiently. Similarly, the  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique is for assisting the idea generator to generate more ideas quickly and more efficiently.

However, simplistically using the  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique does not yield 'meaningful' outcomes. Ideas may turn up to be a variety of hybrids but not really practical for use. Nevertheless, the  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is useful for idea starters where a varieties of ideas can be created freely for later consideration, evaluation, modifications, and so on.

As with all other techniques and tips, the person using it will not be able to generate freely if there isn't enough practice (or interest or motivation) in doing so. Practice is required.

The points hightlighted above are steps for my student to move on from their previous attempt at 'Concept Borrowing' as a starter for Idea Generation. Click 'HERE' for a review on "Concept Borrowing".

Once a variety of alternative ideas are generated, the ideas are ready to be 'harvested' (like a farmer) to be further fine-tuned. Taking the ideas generated a little futher, we can make use of  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. again to create more 'Hybrids' of ideas. We can 'Combine' 2-3 ideas into one and then followed by some 'Modifications'to its features and functionalities, etc. See below for examples.

 

For demonstration purposes, I reproduced two drawings from my student from his 'Concept Borrow' idea generation page. The first one is a cCube' drawing practice which he uses as a warm up for drawing, and the second one is a candle light holder that is 'borrowed' to become a straw holder.

Use 'C' = Combine' from  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. you can see a range of modifications that follows, which in turn making use of other acronyms from  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. (e,g, Eliminate, Modification, Rearrange, and some others not recorded) to create more hybrids.

Follow the "broad arrow" and see how ideas evolved from one to the next. Below are brief notes on how the idea evolves...

1. The first modification is simply a direct Combination. I added the 'arms' to the side of the wireframe cube and turned it to be a 'Cube Straw Holder'.
2. Next I Combined a ball and place it within the cube,
3. Rearrange the 'arms' and stick them on the ball.  I now have a ball within a cube structure with straws sticking out. This idea looked no only strange, but may not be so practical for use.
4. Next even after another attempt at Modifying the angles of the 'arms', I decided to summon 'Elimination', to take away the cube frame instead.
5. Left with the ball like structure and the arms sticking out, does it look somewhat like a 'Spider'?
6. Rearrage the 'arms' and Modify them by bending them at one point, I know have a structure that really resembles a 'Spider'.
7. Plan a few 'holes' along the top hemisphere for the straws, now I have a "Top-Hairy Spider Straw Holder".

Notice earlier on when I mentioned '...simplistically using the  S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique does not yield 'meaningful' outcomes', in my own attempt shown above, I have taken a step further by also working on the practicality of the idea as I continue working on them. It will be great that after a while along the idea generation phase you should start making the ideas make sense.

It will be a great help when you arrive at the Development stage.



TEN Points Common Mistakes in Design Journal (2012)

for Part A - The Design Journal

1.     P&M lacked realistic timed stages and evidence of on-going evaluation and monitoring of time.

2.     Lack of 'feel' on the theme. Presentation of what the theme is and the identified problem is unclear.

3.     Majority of researched facts, data, images and annotations are meaningless, i.e. they do not have any 'follow-up' and do not lead to further investigations or decisions being made after they are being 'researched'. Much of the research contents did not have any impact or any influence on Ideation & Development (I&D) to meet the Needs (or Problems) identified.

4.     Decisions and important points may be present but not obvious. They do not stand out.  They are difficult to spot within the pages that are full of writings.  

5.     Contents presented in I&D do not have clear (sub-) headings to represent the I&D being attempted. That makes understanding the intention difficult.

6.     Most I&D attempts throughout shows ONLY the product but hardly shows the corresponding props or the users or the environment being integrated-in to 'test' or 'evaluate' if the solution meets the List of Specification (LoS).

7.     Most (if not all) I&D are attempted as if the LoS never existed. Most I&D are not 'evaluated' against the LoS. Many (if not most) also lose touch with the Needs (or Problems) highlighted in the Design Need (or Situation) and Brief as I&D progresses.

8.     Idea Generation lacked comprehensive exploration and on-going evaluations to surface the most desirable concept for development. Most attempted as if the LoS never existed (see Point 7).

9.     Weak Development. Lacked evidence to show how material, jointing, color and finishing choices, jointing methods, final dimensions, production methods and sequences, etc. are explored, evaluated and decided.

10.   Overall lack of flow of information from section to section. It is as if reading a book compiled with random chapters from various books. Note: The lack of (sub-) headings may also have contributed to this. See Point 5).

The journal should not contain information only you can understand. It’s about how the marker can understand without a question being asked. To do this you must anticipate vague contents and make them idiot proof.

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