How to Choose the Best Image for Shape Borrowing?

Fig. 1

Shape borrowing is probably one of the most common starter exercise for Ideas Generation. References could be obtained easily to be shape-borrowed but not all images are made equal, i.e.  to be suitable for shape borrowing. There are useful and not so useful images, although technically you could shape borrow just about anything you want. 

Following are some points to help you shape borrow more effectively:

1. When you search for reference images, include 'silhouette' in your search. A silhouette excludes all other details (e.g. eyes, nose, whiskers, etc.) that helps suggest a particular animal. If you can identify the animal just looking at its silhouette, that is one good reference.
2. If you chose a photo or an image of an animal (or whatever you have chosen), eliminate all internal details when you shape borrow. Look at the middle portion of Fig. 1, one of the puppy I shape borrowed originally had spots on its body. But when I shape borrowed it, the spots and facial features are not included.
3. When you finally finished a series of shape borrowed drawings (look at the bottom portion of Fig. 1), ask yourself this question, "Can I still recognise the animal just by looking at its outline?". If the answer is a definite "Yes.", you have a good shape borrowed drawing. Shape Borrow drawings #1 and #3 seem to still retain the shape of a dog quite reasonably. Shape Borrow drawing #1 is the best one. When I look at Shape Borrow drawing #2 I find it difficult to guess what that shape resembles. 

Use the points above in future when you are considering Shape Borrowing. That may save you time drawing using useless references in the first place that does not produce a good outcome. The time gained could be used more effectively for development later on.

Let me know if this helps!

Decision Matrix

Very likely, by now you will be making a decision on which Design Situation to choose from.

Some suggested criteria / attributes for selecting your best Design Needs and Opportunities (Design Situation) to work on for the next few months. Pay attention to what you have selected for yourself to work on. In the original post I simply suggested using the PMI acronym as criteria. Email me if you have more criterion to add on or comments.

Another point to note: If you have great issues with including weightage in your matrix computation, you have two choices: 1) Go study how you can meaningfully include weightage in your matrix computation and then include it in your decision matrix, or 2) use a Decision Matrix table without weightage. You will still be able to arrive at one Design Situation with the highest score with every criteria just as important as the others.

Here you go. You don't have to agree or use, but here are some suggestions:

Interesting Problem?

(Think: Is it an interesting problem to solve? How interesting is this situation / problem to you?)

Good Problem?

(Think: Is it a good problem to solve? In your opinion what do you think? Maybe a quick survey from your friends to see if they think it is a good problem to solve.)

Usefulness?

(Think: Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? Will it be useful or beneficial for most people? How many?)

Realisation Possibility.

(Think: Would I be able to make it? This criterion requires some prediction or imagination of a possible solution to the problem and requires you to think about your current ability, as well as the tools and machineries available in the school workshop to realise this possible solution.

Meet ‘???’ theme?

(Think: How well does the situation / problem identified fit the theme ‘??????)?

Quote for Thoughts

Identify an authentic design need and opportunity and you'll find yourself asking the right questions. 

This is as good as having solved the problem.