ERIC Number: EJ1245244
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Mar
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957 7572
EISSN: N/A
How Task Constraints Affect Inspiration Search Strategies
Biskjaer, Michael Mose; Christensen, Bo T.; Friis-Olivarius, Morten; Abildgaard, Sille J. J.; Lundqvist, Caroline; Halskov, Kim
International Journal of Technology and Design Education, v30 n1 p101-125 Mar 2020
Searching for sources of inspiration is central to creative design; however, we have limited knowledge of individual inspiration search strategies in response to varying levels of task constraints. We studied 39 high-school students' inspiration search strategies using Google Images. Low task constrainedness led to "divergent search" marked by quick iterations, limited design task usage, and a heterogeneous image set. Intermediate constrainedness prompted "in-depth," "on-task exploration" characterized by slow and careful iterations with more search result examination, extensive design task usage, and homogenous images. High constrainedness led to "flexible bracketing" with quick, flexible design task use, ending with heterogeneous images. Images from the intermediately and highly constrained conditions generated more ideas and were perceived as more inspiring (relative to low) in a new group of students. We discuss the idea of a 'sweet spot' of constrainedness in an inspiration search process in design and consider implications for design research and future work.
Descriptors: Task Analysis, Search Strategies, High School Students, Creativity, Information Seeking, Design
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A