As an architect, you face complex design problems that require creativity, logic, and innovation. Sometimes, you may feel stuck or frustrated, and wonder how to overcome mental blocks that hinder your progress. In this article, you will learn some strategies to help you solve design problems more effectively and confidently.
The first step to solving any design problem is to define it clearly and precisely. What are the goals, constraints, and criteria of the project? What are the needs and preferences of the clients and users? What are the challenges and opportunities of the site and context? By asking these questions, you can narrow down the scope and focus of the problem, and avoid confusion or ambiguity.
In my experience, effectively tackling a problem involves more than just recognizing its existence. It's crucial to assess the problem's full scope and complexity in order to find ways to a simple solution. This means asking the 5W's - who, what, why, where, and when. These questions help clarify the problem's boundaries, scope, and criteria for success, painting a clear picture of the issue at hand and naturally leading to the 'how' of solving it. Additionally, understanding the magnitude of the problem is key, as it dictates the extent to which the problem needs to be broken down into manageable parts. In other words having a grasp of full context with relevant data points helps define dynamics of a complex problem and brings clarity.
Once you have identified the problem, you can start generating possible solutions. Don't limit yourself to one idea or approach; instead, try to explore different perspectives, angles, and alternatives. You can use various methods to stimulate your creativity, such as brainstorming, sketching, mind mapping, or analogies. The more solutions you have, the more chances you have to find the best one.
Well, even though it might seem strange, sometimes I play my guitar, listen to tango, or Mozart's music. I believe there are areas in the right hemisphere of the brain that start to give you another perspective. The design process, even if it's scientific, has its artistic/emotional side that can't be forced. Therefore, sometimes I find myself designing at night, during the day, in the office, or ideas occur to me in the early hours of the morning. The important thing is that when this happens, sketches and design schemes need to be created very quickly. I'm not sure if this process will improve with AI, but what I do know is that if architectural design were to be matrix-based, we could have 10,000 options in milliseconds.
The process of generating solutions doesn't require reinventing the wheel. Total creativity is a myth; no one can create something entirely detached from what others have done before or simultaneously. Therefore, seek inspiration from how others have addressed similar challenges, creating a repertoire of solutions categorized with their respective pros and cons. Make a list of architectural references and inspirations. Learning from the experiences and approaches of others can be an invaluable resource in the creative process.
Tremendo poder el del arquitecto que su experiencia, tiene la encomienda de determinar la realidad. No obstante, tanta responsabilidad, sumerge lás mas de las veces en un estado de aletargamiento por buscar la solución unica, primera y mejor. La realidad con sus multiples modos de leerla, es imposible codificarla en una sola manera de abordarla, más vale por tanto explorar y verificar; avanzar en formas y contrastar con funciones... Cristalizar ideas, muchas, todas (que nunca son todas) en una permanente exploración a fin de lograr la mejor alianza entre lo deseado (cliente-proyectista) y lo posible mediante la exploración mental, espacial y de obra. "lo unico permanente, es el cambio" solia decir Carlos Monsivais que citaba a Heraclito
After you have generated multiple solutions, you need to evaluate and refine them according to the problem criteria. You can use various tools and techniques to test and compare your solutions, such as models, simulations, diagrams, or feedback. You can also use criteria matrices, SWOT analysis, or pros and cons lists to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each solution. The goal is to eliminate the less feasible or desirable solutions, and improve the more promising ones.
The final step to solving any design problem is to communicate and present your solution to the relevant stakeholders, such as clients, users, or colleagues. You need to explain your design concept, rationale, and benefits clearly and convincingly. You can use various media and formats to convey your message, such as drawings, renderings, animations, or narratives. You also need to be prepared to answer questions, address concerns, or receive feedback.
Solving design problems is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of learning and improvement. You can always learn from the feedback you receive from others, or from your own reflection and evaluation. You can use feedback to identify what worked well and what didn't, and what you can do better next time. You can also use feedback to update your knowledge, skills, and methods, and apply them to new or similar problems.
Sometimes, despite following these steps, you may still encounter mental blocks that prevent you from solving design problems effectively. Mental blocks can be caused by various factors, such as stress, fatigue, fear, or boredom. To overcome mental blocks, you need to identify and address the root causes, and adopt some coping strategies, such as taking breaks, changing your environment, seeking inspiration, or asking for help.
Let’s put this into perspective. For e.g. If one were asked to identify & determine characteristics of raw data. One may start with all the questions around that. Who is providing the data? What kind of data - stream or file? Where is it coming from or going? what kind of format or data elements. Why do we need to find these inferences. Do we have resources to process. What kind of resources would be needed - How much. What can be considered an atomic unit of processing. Is it increasing in size on a daily basis. Who will consume this. This starts providing a mental framework of a complex problem and now with these building blocks one can start forming up classification of problem areas & then building for a solution to parts. A good start.