The life cycle of creative ideas

Towards a dual-process theory of ideation

Journal Article (2021)
Author(s)

Milene Gonçalves (TU Delft - DesIgning Value in Ecosystems)

Philip Cash (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2020.100988 Final published version
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Journal title
Design Studies
Volume number
72
Article number
100988
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399
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Abstract

Ideation is simultaneously one of the most investigated and most intriguing aspects of design. The reasons for this attention are partly due to its importance in design and innovation, and partly due to an array of conflicting results and explanations. In this study, we develop an integrative perspective on individual ideation by combining cognitive and process-based views via dual-process theory. We present a protocol and network analysis of 31 ideation sessions, based on novice designers working individually, revealing the emergence of eight idea archetypes and a number of process features. Based on this, we propose the Dual-Process Ideation (DPI) Model, which links idea creation and idea judgement. This explains a number of previously contradictory results and offers testable predictive power.