In this module you will learn how to start processing your ideas. We will use a pencil and paper to begin sketching out different concepts and at the end, determine which ideas will best meet the requirements. By the end of this module you will be able to:
Explain the features of the figures we will be making
Define ideation sketches and identify examples of what are and are not ideation sketches
Use the requirements to predict which ideas are likely to lead to a successful project
Create ideation sketchs of your 12 best ideas
Block style mini-figures are well known across the world. They're included in most block kits made for over the last 50 years. They're have been movies and video games made featuring these figures.
Each figure is made of 9 basic pieces identified on the diagram to the left. Each piece is made of plastic in a single color. In order to provide detail, the pieces have details applied to them with a process called pad printing.
As we begin developing our ideation sketches, you will use this basic figure as your foundation for your figure design.
Ideation sketches are quick drawings that get the idea on paper. They are often done with just a pen or pencil. Sometimes ideation sketches can be detailed, but often specific details are defined later in the process.
Speed and communication of ideas is the focus of ideation sketches. If someone can look at the quick drawing you made and say "That's Batman", then you've successfully drawn an ideation sketch of your batman figure.
Ideation sketches give us a chance to dump ideas out of our mind. We're no longer responsible for remembering the idea because its on paper. It also helps to generally visualize what something might look like so we can decide if its a good solution to pursue.
Instead of focusing on the details of the drawing, we're instead focusing on the main idea. The ideation sketches should help us to identify which figures will meet the requirements. If its hard to come up with 2 accessories that make sense for the figure, it may be the wrong choice for this problem.
The ideation sketches are part of the decision making process. Just because you can't think of two accessories, doesn't mean you shouldn't make an ideation sketch of the idea, but it will help you decide whether or not to continue the process with that idea.
Choose the top 12 ideas from your brainstorming. If you don't have 12 that you want to draw, continue brainstorming until you do.
Use the worksheets for module 3 to do a quick drawing of each of the 12. They should take no longer than 3-4 minutes each. Add whatever features you can in the time you have and make sure that someone could describe what you put on the paper. Glue your sheets into your composition notebook so they are accessible for later
In addition to their usefulness when you complete your technical writing at the end of this project, taking pictures of your work can save a digital backup incase your composition notebook is damaged or lost.