Design as Lateral Thinking Practice
Design requires innovation beyond copying and provides a practical way to apply lateral thinking to creative problems.
THE IDEA
Design
In so far as it is not just a matter of copying, design requires a good deal of innovation. Design is a convenient format for practising the lateral thinking principles that have been discussed up to this point. The design process itself is discussed at length in a later section; in this section design is used as practice for lateral thinking.
When to use it
Brainstorming product features for a client who wants something 'different' but can't articulate what.
Redesigning a classroom layout to encourage more interactive learning, breaking away from traditional rows.
Developing a marketing campaign that avoids clichés by reframing the product's purpose.
Creating a new workflow for a team to handle repetitive tasks more creatively.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Redesigning a Coffee Cup
Using lateral thinking, a designer might challenge the assumption that cups must be round, leading to a stackable, space-saving triangular cup that changes how coffee is served.
Website Navigation Redesign
A team applies lateral thinking to move beyond traditional dropdown menus, creating a dynamic, context-aware navigation that anticipates user needs.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a routine product you use daily. What assumptions about its design could be challenged using lateral thinking?
When designing a new process at work, how can you deliberately break from copying existing solutions to foster innovation?
Consider a recent design problem you faced. Which lateral thinking technique (e.g., reversal, provocation) might have led to a more novel solution?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)