DESIGN NAME: Flow
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Ideation Tool
INSPIRATION: The note-taking apps we commonly use in daily life are not well-suited for free-form ideation. This is due to their linear and mechanical structure, which contrasts with the natural flow of human thought. Traditional applications organize ideas into sentences and arrange them chronologically, making it difficult to capture the scattered and divergent nature of ideation. Recognizing this limitation, I felt the need for a tool that mirrors the free-flowing process of human thinking, leading to this project.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The 'Flow' project stands out as an ideation tool that mirrors the natural process of human thinking. Users can freely jot down ideas in various forms, such as keywords, sentences, or drawings, and by pressing the 'flow' button, related ideas are seamlessly connected. Intentionally developed ideas are arranged vertically, while connections made using the 'flow' button are linked horizontally. This allows user-created ideas, online references, and AI-assisted suggestions to organically interconnect.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: It can be used in various scenarios, such as organizing free-flowing thoughts or seeking inspiration from the web. It helps overcome challenges like structuring ideas or expanding diverse thoughts. Through 'flow,' various ideas are connected based on their relevance, and the AI-powered expansion feature allows users to freely broaden their thinking.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: This project started in December 2024 in Seoul and was completed in early January 2025 in Seoul.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design
|
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The project was developed based on feedback from students and designers who often face challenges during ideation in their design work. Through in-depth interviews, we gathered user insights highlighting difficulties in organizing scattered ideas and managing diverse thoughts during the ideation process. This led to the realization of the need for an ideation tool that captures the free-flowing nature of human thought, forming the foundation for this design.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The 'Flow' project is compatible with all electronic devices, including mobile, desktop, and iPad. While the design is primarily submitted for mobile, it features a responsive design, making it adaptable across the mentioned devices. By leveraging AI, the tool automatically organizes highly relevant ideas into a single flow and provides suggestions for diverse ideas, enhancing the ideation process.
TAGS: UI, Ideation Tool, GUI, Application, Free Ideation
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Type of Research:
A study on creating an ideation tool that captures the natural flow of human thought.
Research Objectives:
To improve the usability of existing linear and mechanical note-taking applications.
Methodology:
User in-depth interviews and functional research based on insights.
Data Collection and Research Tools:
Insights gathered through interviews.
Participants or Experiments:
Mainly designers and students who frequently engage in ideation processes.
Results:
The majority of participants expressed dissatisfaction with current note-taking and ideation tools, stating they were not conducive to free-flowing ideation.
Insights and Impacts:
The ability to freely ideate without the burden of adhering to structured formats, combined with AI-powered organization, enables more dynamic ideation. Additionally, graphical representations of idea flows allow users to intuitively grasp topics in an organic way.
Effect on Business:
It is expected to be widely adopted by individuals in various fields engaged in creative activities.
Effect on Real-Life Phenomena:
Instead of forcing thoughts into rigid tools, users will now be able to let their ideas flow naturally on a flexible platform.
CHALLENGE: It was challenging to reinterpret familiar application functions with a new usability. To visually and interactively represent an organic and free-flowing ideation tool, we explored how human thoughts flow and operate. Ultimately, simple dots were used to symbolize ideas, as they naturally converge to form a flow, evolving into a central idea. This process mirrors human thinking, making the tool feel intuitive and easy to use despite its novel functionality.
ADDED DATE: 2025-01-18 02:15:44
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Suryun Hyeon, 2024.
|