Chapter 3

Working a Creative Problem

Learning Objectives

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Creative process enables designers to find innovative solutions

Actions that make up the creative process

Using mind mapping to visualize a creative challenge

Role of serendipity (chance) in the creative process

Brainstorming as a creativity technique

Creative blocks and how to avoid them

The role of critique in design development

Introduction

The best designers trust the creative process to reveal the solution

Creativity is a process —a series of experiences used to generate a solution to a design challenge

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Myths about Creativity

1. Creativity is the same as intelligence

2. Creativity involves sudden insight

3. Creativity Is purely pleasurable

4. Creativity works best when time Is not a factor

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The Creative Process

Cluster of abilities and behaviors applied to a problem to generate original results

Designers take from the surrounding culture imagery, meanings, and symbols

Creativity often involves visualization and metaphorBrannon Chapter 3 ©2011 Fairchild Books, A Division of Condé Nast 5

Action 1: Clarify the Goals of the ProjectDiscover the essence of the challenge

Mind mapping can visualize the problem and the relationships between its parts

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Action 2: Search and Explore

The designer researches familiar and unfamiliar domains through observation, travel, and imagination

Serendipity plays a part in this stage of the creative process

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Action 3: Develop Preliminary Ideas

Utilize the technique of brainstorming to generate a design concept

Collaged concept boards become the guiding framework for a project

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Action 4: Allow Incubation

A period of incubation allows the unconscious mind to participate in problem solving

Alternating focused attention with relaxation allows participation of both the logical, analytical side and the imaginative, visualizing side

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Action 5: Analyze and Refine the Design

In design refinement, ideas are converted to working models, production problems are analyzed, and market factors are considered

Balancing three concerns: •Aesthetics•Apparel production•Consumer preferences

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Action 5: Analyze and Refine the Design

Flat sketches (Flats) used to refine preliminary ideas

Sketches combine individual pieces into an accessorized ensemble

Designers consider:• Functional aspects

• Interaction of garments with the body

• Flattery

• Fashion

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FlatsFashion Sketch

• A technical drawing as if it were laid out flat on a table [Definition from Text book, P.19].

• Very detail of the garment. • Without a person figure.

• Drawing of how the garment would look on a person.

Action 5: Analyze and Refine the Design

Exploring designs in three dimensions using either:

• Draping

• Pattern making and sample making

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Action 6: Reach a Decision Point

Consult colleagues

Even negative comments are helpful when the goal is to produce the best design solution

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Action 7: Implement the Decision

Specifications turn flat sketches into a production package

The specification package determines how close the final delivery to the store will be to the designer’s concept

Accuracy is essential in communicating with production managers whether they are next door or across the globe

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Learning to Like Critique

Looking analytically at both positive and negative points

Garments are usually merchandised as a group

Groups are evaluated as components in a line

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Checklist for Apparel Designers

• Designing for aesthetics

• Designing the look

• Designing for fit

• Designing the garment structures

• Designing for the consumer

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I’m Blocked! What Now?

Creative blocks keep people from seeing the problem or the solution and can arise from fear of the unknown or unexpected

Becoming aware of the sources of possible blocks can sometimes liberate a person from them

Combat blocks by changing the focus from the negative to the positive

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Chapter Summary Designers trust the creative process to generate a solution to a design challenge

The three main parts of the process are the search for inspiration, idea generation and editing, and turning ideas into results

Designers use techniques like mind mapping, brainstorming, editing, and critiquing during the creative process

Successful design solutions represent a balance between aesthetics, the demands of apparel production, and consumer preferences

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Next Class Bring the following materials: • Sketchbook.• Fashion magazine.• 1 Pen• Tracing papers• Text book.

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