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Concepts and Creativity with Alternative Design

Really, nearly everything in the world can fall into this category, so how can one get ideas to create a new concept or improve an existing one? I'm sure there are several methods but I've found most of my success with two.

1. The Light bulb

I'd be lying if I said there was a system to every one of my designs solutions. In some cases the answers do really seem to pop out of thin air.
I think this ability differs with everyone, however I've found ways that, at least for me, increase these occurrences.

My Different ways to increase a "Eureka!" solution to a problem include: doing my best to remove all previous knowledge on the subject, walking away from the problem for a while, watching other people

2. The Methodical Approach

Unfortunately, the light bulb approach can be random at best. I learned another, more useful, and methodical approach after reading the excellent book Why Not? by Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres.

Their concept and subsequently my practice was to apply methodical thought exercises to the problem in need of a solution. Their four steps include:

• What would Croesus Do? If you had all of the money in the world, how would you solve the problem?
• Why don't you feel my pain? Are you looking to put a band-aid over your problem or really fix it? Creative solutions happen much more frequently when the problem is internalized.
• Where else would it work? In addition to the primary use for your application, what other markets or uses exist?
• Would flipping it work? It took 100 years to realize slow-pouring catsup bottles can instead be placed on their cap. Do you have current systems that may be counterintuitive?

As you may be able to tell, these methods apply not only to "other" design solutions, but to many other problems to be solved both in and out of the design field.