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.