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Section 3 Creating Technology
Questioning
Questioning is the third method of
ideation. This method is done differently
from brainstorming and graphic organizing.
Questioning is a process in which the
designer asks the question “Why?” This
process is done while working with existing
products. See Figure 13-7. The designer
asks why things are done the way they are
in the existing product. Imagine you are
designing a better way to toast bread. If
you were using the questioning method,
you would locate a toaster and a loaf of
bread. You would use the toaster and ask
yourself questions such as the following:
• Why is the bread loaded from the top?
• Why do I push a lever to start the
toaster?
• Why does a knob control the darkness
scale?
The key to questioning is that the ques-
tions are written. Once the questions are
asked, they need to be solved. Designers
often find creative solutions to problems
because they asked “Why?”
Brainstorming, graphic organizers,
and questioning are all useful methods
of creating ideas. These approaches to
ideation all result in lists of solutions. Lists,
however, are not always the best way to
describe solutions. Have you ever tried
to describe an idea you had using a list?
Describing an idea using a list can be very
difficult to do. Imagine someone asked
you to describe how your bicycle works
or how the White House looks. Are these
things easy to describe? They would prob-
ably be hard to describe without drawing
the gears of your bike or the front of the
White House.
Loading film
Type Focusing picture
Changing settings Taking pictures
Voice activated
Timer
Handheld switch
Camera
Figure 13-6. Graphic organizers help generate ideas.
Figure 13-7. Questioning relies on designers to
ask questions about ways they use a product.