Generative Design by Liz Sanders and Pieter Jan Stappers

1. CONVIVIAL TOOLBOX
Generative Research for the Front End of
Desig
Sanders, L., Stappers, P. (2013)

2. Creativity
Level Motivated by Purpose Example
Doing Productivity Getting
something
done
Organizing
herbs and
spices
Adapting Appropriation Making things
my own/better
Embellishing
a ready made
meal
Making Asserting my
ability or skill
Make with my
own hands
Cooking a
recipe
Creating Curiosity Express my
ability
Dreaming up
a new dish

3. The Creative Process
Preparation
• Collecting
background
information
Incubation
• Reflection and
processing
Intimation
• Feeling of
finding a
solution
Illumination
• The moment
of clarity
Verification
• The idea is
verified
consciously
and applied

4. Collective Creativity
MATERIALS PLACES
SPACES
BODY
HEART
HEAD
MATERIALS PLACES
SPACES
BODY
HEART
HEAD
MATERIALS PLACES
SPACES
BODY
HEART
HEAD
IDEAS

5. Levels of Knowledge
Explicit
Observable
Tacit
Latent
Surface
Deep
Sensitizing

6. Say, Do and Make Tools
Explicit
Observable
Tacit
Latent
Surface
Deep
Say
Think
Do
Use
Know
Feel
Dream
Interviews
Observations
Generative
Design
What
People:
Methods Knowledge

7. The Path of Expression
1
2
3
4
Future
Past

8. Sensitizing

9. Sensitizing
EXAMPLES
• Workbooks between 6-12 pages
• Small booklets
• Single sheet of paper
• A deck of cards with instructions
• Boxes with components and instructions for use
• Mobile phone with occasional sms
• A sequence of e-mails with small assignments
• Cameras with instructions for use

10. Toolkits
• Is it for stimulating expression of memories and feelings?
• Is it a means for the participants to enhance their
understanding of an experience, a product or an
environment that they are familiar with?
• Is it for facilitating the expression of dreams and
aspirations for experience?
• Is it primarily for the research team to gain empathy with
the participants?
• Depending on the stage: exploratory or not the toolkit will
have to allow focus

11. Toolkit

12. Trigger Sets
• Varied in content
• Varied in abstraction
• Varied in levels of ambiguity and openness
• Varied in aesthetics
• Varied in form

13. Trigger Sets

14. Focus
Scope
Focus
1 2 3 4
Path of Expression
1 2 3 4
Sensitizing Session

15. Sampling
Opportunistic samplingRepresentative samplingPurposive sampling

16. Facilitating

17. Analysis
What people User centered design Generative design
Say Transcripts
Questionnaire data
Interview notes
Transcripts
Questionnaire data
Interview notes
Do Photos
Videotapes
Observation notes
Photos
Videotapes
Observation notes
Make Image collages
Cognitive maps
3-D models
Workbook data
Transcripts of stories
Annotated photographs
from participants
Observations of people’s
behavior during workshops

18. Hints
• Analysis on the wall let’s the team participate in finding
the patterns
• Collective creativity is best in face-to-face formats, but
may change in future as online tools proliferate and
advance
• Consider light and dark scenario’s when exploring the
implications of introducing a new technology in the
workplace
• Under promise and over deliver to maintain positive client
relationships
• Use generative tools to facilitate creative collaboration in
your meetings with the client, too