Idea Generation

Idea Generation Blog

What is idea generation?
Idea generation is the process of generating, developing and realising new concepts and ideas whether they are developments on an existing product or new products entirely (Johnson, 2005). According to Lilien et al. (2002) the normal process for idea generation is to collect information on the needs of the customer by randomly selecting a group or choosing a typical set of customers. A new product can be generated out of the need for it or a product can create itself a new market and therefore create the need.

Examples of Idea Generation in sport

Hit Right Sensor

One example of a Sports Product that has been generated out of the need for better safety in sport is the HITRight Sensor from Helmet Halo Technologies which aims to make American Football safer for young players (Sport product review, 2013). The product was created in order to protect younger players in the tackle phase and remind them that you should always tackle with your head up in order to prevent concussions and neck injuries.  The product easily clips into the helmet and works by making a sharp noise in the player’s ear every time their head drops, this reminds them to “keep their head up”.


 

Another example of idea generation in sport is Airflow Tennis Racquet (Ideo, 2006). This tennis racquet was created by ideas company Ideo for the tennis organisation Head. Iit aims to appeal to the female recreational market. Ideo chose to create a racquet that had a large frame in order to provide the largest ‘sweet spot’ for developing players, however, they discovered through their research that a large frame is often frowned upon because it suggest the player is less skilled. In order to combat this they added concave sections and ‘wings’ in the body of the racquet so that it looks smaller than it actually is and therefore gives the impression of a better player.  

My ideas

My first idea for a new sporting product came from asking a sports coach what issues he faces when coaching football and other sports. He said that at the end of every session you have to go round the pitch bending over and picking up multiple cones when you just want to go home. The product I have devised would make this job a lot easier by picking up the cones without the need to bend over, therefore reducing time taken and improving efficiency. It would be a stand with adjustable heights that could click through the small hole in every cone when pushed through in order to pick them up quickly, it would also double up as a stand to hold the cones.

Another idea, developed out of the problem faced by footballers up and down the country, was a boot cleaner that could be used quickly after every game. It would be on a long adjustable pole that could fit into a boot bag and could be used whilst stood up to rub mud off boots.

Reference list

Ideo. (2006)  Airflow Tennis Racquet for Head.  Available at: http://www.ideo.com/work/airflow-tennis-racquet/ Accessed: 30/10/ 2013

Jonson, B. (2005) Design Ideation: the conceptual sketch in the digital age. Design Studies Vol 26 No 6 pp 613–624.

Lilien, G., Morrison, P., Searls, K., Sonnack, M. & Hippel, E., (2002) Performance Assessment of The Lead User Idea-Generation Process for New Product Development. Management Science Vol 48 No 8 pp 1042-1059.

Sport Product Review. (2013) Coach is in Your Ear. Available at: http://www.sportsproductreview.com/review/?currentPage=2  Accessed: 30/10/ 2013

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