Idea Generation 2

Abbas Vajihi
Nov 2 · 8 min read

HMWs

In the User Research I identified that:

Busy people need a way to declutter their mess more effortlessly because the mess compounds and causes mild anxiety.

Nomads need higher utility for every piece of furniture they have in order to lighten the burden of moving from place to place.

Students need more table real estate because they tend to multi task a lot, whether it’s eating, studying or for entertainment purposes.

The 2 HMW statements inspired by my these problem/ opportunity statements are the following:

  • How might we make it easier to carry and set up a folding table?
  • How might we create a relaxing space that provides higher utility for its users?

The HMWs I created tackle issues concerning the portability, ease of use, utility per space and the features that reduce the anxiety of using the table.

Set Up

I was able to get 6 people with diverse backgrounds for the brainstorm session.

Matt — Accounting major, from Wisconsin. Loves partying and running.

Brett — Political Science/Social Studies Ed. majors, from Wisconsin. Loves socializing and hosting survivor.

Mana — Psychology major with minors in Design, Leadership, Digital Media Studies — From California. Big fan of long walks and recently broke her leg.

Faizan — MIS major, from Bangladesh. Loves basketball and gaming.

Lem — Finance major, from Minnesota. Loves writing and is a standup comedian. (was only able to participate in warm ups and 1 brainstorm session)

Devin — Supply Chain Operations major, from Wisconsin. Loves motorcycling.

Used different colored sticky note pads and assigned different colors to different people.

Additionally, I used props, candy and food to help maintain creative momentum and happiness.

The session took place in a breakout room at the Carlson School of Management.

The session started at 6:15pm and ended at 7:30pm.

6:15pm — Introductions and framing the session, rules (eg. no judging, quantity over quality etc)

6:20pm Warm up games, 2 minutes each game (‘Zip/ zap/ zop’, ‘pass the story’, ‘I went to…’)

6:30pm — Brainstorm 1 — General idea, folding table.(10 mins)

6:40pm — Brainstorm 2 — HMW 1 — Portability and ease of use. (10 mins)

6:50pm — 5 minute break — handed out candy.

6:55pm — Brainstorm 3 — HMW 2 — Relaxing space and utility.(10 mins)

7:05pm — Dinner and socializing for 15 minutes.

7:20pm — Voting and sorting for 10 minutes.

7:30pm — Fini

Warm Up

For the warm up, I set up 3 games to be played — each 2 minutes long.

The first game is the ‘zip, zap, zop’ game we played in class. One person says zip, points to another person and they say zap. This will continue till the time ends and is meant more to get people synced up and thinking on their feet.

The second game is the ‘pass the story’ game where one person starts the story and the next continues it. This is meant to stir up creativity as people start thinking of novel scenarios.

The next game I made created is called ‘I went to…’ and is a combination of both games. It goes something like this:

  1. For example, person A says “I went to the zoo” and then points to person B
  2. Person B will continue the scenario — “and saw a flying monkey”.
  3. Person B ends the statement and creates a new one and this continues with new locations and actions.

This game mixes the spontaneity of the first and the creativity of the second.

Brainstorm Session

We started at 6:15pm. I checked everyone in and learned something about them to start with. Everyone engaged in small talk and then then I began the session. I gave them context for why they were here and talked about my project. I then explained the folding table concept, rules, and outlined the activities we were going to engage in.

  1. Framing

Think about folding tables what do you imagine? People answered with the typical outdoor folding table. I confirmed their answers and gave them more context for folding tables — ironing tables, TV trays, picnic tables etc. I answered any questions and continued. I proceeded to tell them the HMWs that we would focus on (ie. portability and ease of use, higher utility)

2. Rules

I then laid out the rules.

  • Quantity over quality — no idea is a bad idea
  • We’re not going to judge ideas
  • Draw, label, explain your idea — one at a time

3. Brainstorm Session Summary

  • 3 Warm up activities (as described in the previous section.)
  • 3 Brainstorm activities.
  • Food, voting and sorting.

We did 3 brainstorming sessions for 10 mins each.

6:30pm — Brainstorm 1 — General idea, folding table.(10 mins)

6:40pm — Brainstorm 2 — HMW 1 — Portability and ease of use. (10 mins)

6:55pm — Brainstorm 3 — HMW 2 — Relaxing space and utility.(10 mins)

Throughout this I employed cheerleading tactics, and handing out candy when I noticed a lull in the mood. However, by the third session, less ideas were produced to the point where 2 people stopped producing ideas.

Idea Stats

Total Ideas : 65

Total time : 30 minutes

Total # of people : 5–6

Total IPM (ideas/minute) : 2.166

Session 1 :

IPM : 2.2 ideas

IPMPP : 0.366 ideas

Session 2 :

IPM : 2.8 ideas

IPMM : 0.56 ideas

Session 3 :

IPM : 1.5 idea

IPMM: 0.5 ideas

After sorting the ideas there were 7 categories.

The top ideas came from two people: Faizan and Matt with 3 ideas each in the top 10.

These were evaluated with the Novel, Feasible, Valuable framework. Everyone voted the sketches or ideas they thought fit those best. (The x on the notes are the vote)

  1. Wheelchair table — An attachment to a wheelchair the folds out.
  2. Charging table — Chargers that fold out from a flush surface.
  3. Pizza table — multiple segments that become progressively smaller. For easy carry.
  4. Bed table — a table that converts into a bed — used for smaller spaces.
  5. Speaker table — a wireless speaker embedded into table. Cool for parties.
  6. Do it yourself — A table that unfolds itself by pressing a button.
  7. Ceiling table — a table that descends from the ceiling. It is put back for more space and activities.
  8. Suitcase table — a thin table that folds and can be compartmentalized into a suitcase form.
  9. iTable — A table with a screen embedded in it. Screen folds out vertically for viewing and leisure.
  10. Hole-in-the-wall — Table that folds into a wall — enables more surface area for activities.

Top 10 Ideas

The top 10 ideas were chosen using the Novel, Feasible and Valuable criteria. Each of these ideas are feasible because they can be manufactured in the current age with reasonable prices. In the average $40–50 price range as shown in the market research.

These tables are valuable because some provide its user with more space, more utility, better portability or convenience.

Additionally, most are novel because there are no products like this on the market with the exception of the fan table that has a few variations. That being said, novelty was was less apparent in these 10 ideas because of feasibility and value constraints.

The Brochure Table: multiple segments that fold out when pulled. Four legs, two on each side that fold in and out easily.

The See-Saw: Two parts, the legs and the surface. The surface has a hole in it where the legs fit. Height can be adjusted be spreading or closing the legs.

The Fan Table: More of an aesthetic choice for parties and dinner guests. A coffee table that fold out to cover more surface.

The 4 Nations Table: Outdoor table that has flaps. The flaps can be used as surfaces to seat 4 people. The hollow space can be used to store items or food.

The Laptop Case Table: Laptops on laps are not a good idea. Heat can build up and it can start to feel uncomfortable. The case has folded legs that create an elevated surface and better airflow.

Suitcase Table: The open flap has legs that are folded in. Creates an elevated surface for organizing clothes and items to be packed.

Slide- Charge Table: A table with a vertical cubby that houses charging ports and sockets. It can be accessed by using the slide mechanism. It can then be pushed down to hide sockets and chargers to create a flush surface without the mess of wires.

Dry- Erase Table: A whiteboard attached to the side that can be adjusted for better reachability. Write sitting down instead of bending forward.

When-You- Need- It Table: Three slider attachments on either sides. Can attach modules to the sides and edge of the table. Customize you table without all the on desk clutter.

Hole- In- The- Wall: Folds into the wall leaving more space for activities.

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