A lesson plan for developing ideation processes in fine art. Uses collaborative prototyping techniques to develop idea flow. Drawing & Composition 130/131 2016, Obata Q: Are we drawing? Or are we copying? A: Yes, ideation can be taught

1. Ideation
COM Drawing 130/131 2016, 2/23, Obata

2. Homework
Look at your strongest work so far. What makes it strong?
During this week we’ll work on pieces that push these
strengths. We’ll focus on pushing your ideas from where
you are *.
Include a paragraph (half page) about your ideation
process.
i.e., don’t try to figure out how to draw an oil rig on fire in the middle of a hurricane

3. Ideation? What is it?
How does an idea appear?
In parts? Shades? Flavors?
Or does it come out of the
ground whole, like a potato?
Singer songwriters tell how
this works with ease --
maybe because storytelling
is what they do.
Jakob Dylan on songwriting:
… I'm just happy more songs come. . . So I'll be very happy the next time I
sit down to write a song if more of them occur to me. Then I can carve
them into something I can sing. That's where it all begins.
interview:
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false
&id=92679232&m=92664946
music:
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false
&id=92679232&m=92664946.

4. Lucinda Williams
Early in her career a record producer told
her, … go back to the drawing board you’re
missing the bridge. She ignored his advice,
often no bridge, no chorus.
“… I collect ideas and lines. My mind is always
going. I am always jotting down lines, . . When
the muse hits me, or the mood, or whatever it
is, I get my guitar out and I empty it out. I just
start going through things to see what’s going
to happen.” Williams went on to win multiple
Grammys and popular and critical success.
Interview:http://www.believermag.com/issu
es/201207/?read=interview_lucindawilliams

5. Two Parts to Ideation
1. Catching/Hatching the
Idea
2. Refining the Idea
First let’s look at hatching an
idea We’ll use a collaborative
rapid prototyping method to
develop some ideas using Post-
Its in class.

6. Part 1: Hatching the Idea
Break up into pairs. Interview each
other about recent assignments. What
was working? What about the next
drawings? What do you want to carry
forward?
Now write down words on Post-Its
together -- as fast as you can!
50 words/phrases in 5 minutes, one on
each Post-It.

7. Part 1: Hatching, Hints on
Word Generation
Write everything down. Try being
specific. E.g., instead of “dog”, say
sleeping dog; instead of food, say
what kind of food, instead of
machine, say what kind of machine.
Go for speed! Go for 40-50 Post-Its
If you do this regularly you’ll
adapt and simplify.
If you start out with a subject
that’s been under your skin,
(dream, news headline? movie
title? ) idea generation has a head
start. That thought has already
been gathering steam and
streaming words will be faster.

8. Part 2: Refining
Part 2 is where the idea takes shape. Dylan called it
“carving”, Williams called it “emptying out my guitar.
Group the Post-Its.
Materials: what markmaking, materials and paper will
help your idea materialize?
Thumbnail sketches. Pick strongest. Consider
composition.

9. Focusing: Name the Idea
Group the Post-Its. Make cross-category
groupings. See how these extend your
favorite ideas from the last assignments.
Look for challenging or even annoying
combinations.
Name the idea: “This drawing is about
_____”.
Present the idea. Get feedback.

10. Shaping the Idea:
The Practical Side
Consider how you want to “size” the
idea in the time given.
How big (or small)
do you want to go?
What are the
knowns and
un- knowns?
Do a few fast (1 minute or
less), thumbnail sketches.
Does your idea have tension?
Is it meditative? How will the
composition reflect the
emotional content?
Orientation: Portrait or
Landscape?

11. Materials
Paper: White? cream? toned?
black? Test markmaking and
materials on your selected
paper.
The darkness of compressed charcoal
makes it inherently dramatic.
What about pencil, chalk or vine
charcoal?
Markmaking:
What kinds of
markmaking will push
your idea?
Speed? Intensity?
Flow?

12. Thumbnail
Sketches
Now draw refined
thumbnail sketches. 3-
10 minutes each. Try
out your materials. Do
a thumbnail page for
each idea.
Select one.
3 min. 2 min.
3min. 3 min.
6 min. 3 min.
6 min. 4 min.
6 min. 6 min.
6 min. 4 min.
Examples
Idea 2Idea 1

13. Layout &
Composition
Tweak the composition of
the selected thumbnail.
Feel free to go outside the
default proportions.
How can you use the layout
to strengthen your idea?

14. Summary of Part 2: Refining
So those are some ways of giving your initial idea more substance and
focus. You’re finding a way to sustain your own attention, as well as
the viewer’s attention.
You focused in on an idea from your pile of words.
You chose materials and techniques to push that idea.
You made thumbnail sketches, and then worked the composition.
During the actual drawing, you periodically step back!
Q: How many students will throw out their initial ideas and start over this weekend?
a: 0-3, b: 4-7, c: 8 or more