Int J Technol Des Educ (2010) 20:453476

DOI 10.1007/s10798-009-9102-z

Methods that may stimulate creativity

and their use in architectural design education
Doris C. C. K. Kowaltowski Giovana Bianchi Valeria Teixeira de Paiva

Published online: 13 November 2009

Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

Abstract The architectural design process is based on a creative phase where creativity is
highly valued. Although the literature on creativity is rich in ways to stimulate the
decision-making process, these tools are rarely formally present in the building design
process. To further the discussion on creativity and design education this paper presents a
study on methods that may enhance the creative process and their application in architecture
courses around the world. The results of this inquiry indicate that design instructors apply
methods that may stimulate creativity mostly informally, with some positive results. To
explore more fully the richness of the literature on the enhancement of creativity, structured
applications of methods are recommended in controlled experiments to analyze results.
Keywords Creativity
Creative design
Design education
Problem solving

Methods that may stimulate creativity
Architectural design

Introduction
In recent decades universities and architecture schools in particular, have made important
efforts to improve design education. The goals in new ways of teaching design are mainly
concerned with enriching the pure artistic vision of architecture, through the insertion of
scientific knowledge and social responsibility. Environmental comfort and the question of
sustainability have increased the need for exact science and technical education. Social
sciences need to instill sensitivities towards the relation of human behavior and elements of
the built environment. Finally, results of studies on creativity should enrich the design
process.
In this paper, to further the discussion on design education a study on methods that may
enhance creativity is presented. The results of an exploratory interview inquiry with design
instructors, to investigate the application of such methods, are discussed. Architectural
D. C. C. K. Kowaltowski (&)
G. Bianchi
V. T. de Paiva
School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, FEC, Department of Architecture
and Building, DAC, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, CP 6021, Campinas, SP, Brazil
e-mail: doris@fec.unicamp.br

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design is used as the main object of inquiry, since the authors professional and teaching
experiences are in this field. The discussion on the creative design process and the results
of the exploratory interview study presented, are seen as having a wider application in the
design field.
Contemporary goals in higher education and particularly design education include
giving students tools to stimulate the search for creative solutions to problems, as well as a
solid scientific basis for decision-making processes. To achieve such goals, the introduction of methods that may enhance creativity can be found in the discussion on curricular
reforms.
The authors were interested in the application of tools that may enhance creativity, after
conducting a teaching experiment in a bioclimatic design-studio of the Architecture and
Urban Design Course of the State University of CampinasUnicamp, in Brazil (Kowaltowski et al. 2007). The strength of restrictions, imposed on the design solution realm, was
tested in the previous study. The results showed that restrictions could enhance creativity in
students, especially through the challenge of breaking the imposed barriers by adopting
new and original solutions. In addition, with restrictions made clear, students were more
confident in their design proposals and the design process as a whole.
The starting point of the exploratory investigation, presented in this paper, was a literature review that demonstrated that the rich ideas coming from studies on creativity
brought forward a large variety of methods that are said to stimulate creativity and when
applied in higher education may lead to better formation of future design professionals.
This educational enhancement is considered important, especially in relation to recent job
market trends and the globalization of the design profession. These trends have increased
competitiveness and demand acceleration of productivity. Higher design quality from
design professionals is expected as well. The contemporary world with its dynamic production of knowledge and speed in technological advances, as well as obsolescence,
demands professionals capable of keeping up with this pace and creativity is seen as an
essential human asset. The new order also implies that design students need a deeper
understanding of background knowledge and need to acquire new abilities and attitudes
towards design, with an increased demand on creativity. Producing designs that are fresh
and new to the problem domain are expected of our students and of design professionals as
a whole.

The design process

To increase design quality and productivity stakes have been put on design methods in the
last fifty years, especially in architecture. In the 1960s, design methods were investigated to
diminish subjectivity in design, to apply scientific knowledge more effectively and use
information technology productively. The methods brought forward by Jones (1970) were
organized according to input (what designers know) and output (what designers want to
know) and included a variety of methods still important today. The list of tools in relation
to the enhancement of creativity included Brainstorming, analogy and attribute lists to aid
in removing mental blocks.
The goal in developing design methods was to improve the process and the product
outcome. Importance was given to adding structure to the decision-making activity in
design. The argument was that, after all, most disciplines depend on tools, techniques,
protocols of good practice, so design and in particular, architectural design should have the
same.

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Many studies have been conducted since the 1960s, resulting in important contributions
to the understanding of the design process. The main exponents of this movement were
Christopher Jones, Christopher Alexander and John Luckman in the 1960s of the last
century. In the 1970s Horst Rittel and Henry Sanoff should be mentioned and towards the
end of that decade a list of important works were published by researchers and profes mer Akin. C. Alexander published
sionals such as Geoffrey Broadbent, Nigel Cross and O
his Pattern Language in 1977. Scientists from other fields contributed as well to the
understanding of design processes. Herbert Simon publishes The Science of the Artificial in 1969 and Donald Schon in 1983 contributes to the understanding of design
education with his The Reflective Practitioner. In the last two decades, Brian Lawson
and William J. Mitchell have contributed to the understanding of design thinking and the
logic of architectural design (Moreira 2007).
In 1984 Nigel Cross established a division of subjects in design methods and identified
each areas principal exponents. Thus, control over the process is the goal of studies by
Christopher Jones and Bruce Archer, to mention only a few. The structure of design
problems is discussed by Peter Levin, Barry Poyner and Melvin Webber with Horst Rittel.
mer Akin, Bryan Lawson, Jane Darke,
The cognitive aspects of design are studied by O
John Thomas and John Caroll and the philosophy of design methods is further investigated
by Broadbent (1973) and Cross (1984).
In 2002 three comprehensive studies investigated research contributions to design
theory and practice in general (Jeamsinkul et al. 2002; Poppenpohl 2002; Teeravarunyou
et al. 2002). The overview of studies on the process, its principles and methods, as well as
the philosophies and theories, shows that design studies are essentially interdisciplinary
and that the authors mentioned above have had an important impact on design practice and
education as a whole. From this, an understanding of the rich data, coming from the design
methods movement is created, which continues to have repercussions in diverse areas,
contributing to the development of specific research domains that support professional
activities.
In mechanical design, Suh (1990) creates the axiomatic design method. In architectural
design, Post-Occupational-Evaluations (POE) or Building Performance Assessment gains
importance and design quality evaluation methods are developed. Attention to the predesign phase, or development of a detailed design brief, has increased in professional and
teaching activities. Computational support tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD),
rapid prototyping and applications of artificial intelligence have sprung from the design
method movement to enrich and facilitate the design process.
Most studies on the design process in architecture show that it does not follow rigid
rules. Designers do not apply universal methods and rarely externalize their thought
process (Kowaltowski et al. 2006a). Research in design methods consider the creative
process complex, solving what are termed wicked or ill-structured problems (Rittel and
Webber 1973). Thus, design problems are only loosely formulated, at times through a
detailed brief or architectural program. Wickedness consists in the continuous redefinition
of the problem during the period of its resolution and the impossibility of testing the
validity of solutions (Coyne 2005). A rigid systems view of design cannot be defended,
even in the face of losing credibility regarding the design profession, since rationality in
design may not embrace important concepts such as value judgment, context and
uniqueness.
In design, as a form of problem solving, reasoning proceeds from objective and functional assessment to means or (product) decisions, but does not follow a formal scientific
process in which, by deduction, one reaches a logical result from posed premises. To

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improve this process, creative methods are seen as important to stimulate original and
quality solutions. Jones (1963 and 1970) already emphasized the importance of methods
that aid in the search for ideas in design processes. In such early texts Brainstorming,
Synecticts, Morphological Charts and Removing Mental Blocks are mentioned as appropriate tools.
When such methods are informally practiced, however, sidestepping may occur and
opportunities might be missed. Thus, techniques such as Brainstorming or other creativity enhancement methods, criticism and decision-making activities should intertwine
with traditional design, drafting, prototyping and testing activities, to provide the foundation for greater quality and originality of product, as well as awareness in the design
process.
The issue of addressing design as a whole, or of its part, is a further difficulty that an
experienced designer will tackle through the recall of known design solutions and of
travelling constantly with eye, mind and hand between the parts and the whole. Thus,
design is not a grammatical construction of a sentence, by a combination of parts to form a
whole.
In design education, special attention must be paid to the difficulties of progressing from
whole to part and part to whole in a conscious and efficient way. Producing designs that
have combinatorial qualities must be a goal in studio pedagogy. Problem solving needs to
be addressed through teaching methods and the introduction of tools, especially to help
students to overcome hurdles in moments of lack of progress, or what is colloquially called
being stuck.

The creative process

The literature on creativity is rich, and extensive studies have been conducted on how to
enhance this human ability or thought process (Cross 1997; Boden 1999; Runco 2004;
Siqueira 2007). Alencar (1996), Sternberg (1991) and Iashin-Shaw (1994), have called
attention to the fact that higher education must teach students to stimulate their own
creativity, to prepare them for the contemporary job and professional market. The same
authors show evidence however, that higher education seldom adopts practices that favor
creativity. Thus, most graduating professionals are capable only of applying what is
common knowledge in conventional ways (Alencar and Fleith 2004). Horng et al. (2005)
argues that the concept of creativity must be a key factor in new teaching strategies and
curriculum design. Although there is a consensus on the necessary introduction of the
concept of creativity in higher education, few courses deal formally or explicitly and in a
structured way with the issue.
Creativity is viewed in different ways in different disciplines: in education it is called
innovation, in business it is entrepreneurship, in mathematics it is often equated with
problem solving, and in music it is performance or composition. A creative product in
different domains is measured against the norms of that domain, with its own rules,
approaches and conceptions of creativity (Reid and Petocz 2004).
The available literature on creativity and the methods that may stimulate are important
for design education but not always explicitly applied in a structured pedagogical way. The
UNESCO/UIA (2005) charter for architectural education stipulates that a variety of
methods should be applied to enrich the design-studio environment culturally and urges
flexible teaching to relate to varied demands and design problems. The charter does not
address creativity specifically and studies on design education (Rufinoni 2002) show the

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lack of application of pedagogical instruments to develop critical consciousness and ethical

attitudes in students. Jeffries (2007) as well reaffirms the need for new teaching methods in
the design-studio to increase creative thought.
With increased complexity in the design world, innovation, originality or the stimulus
for creative thought, should no longer rely on talent or chance alone. Creativity, as a
concept of bringing forward new ideas, is seen by many as the driving force in the design
process of a wide variety of fields, from architecture to mechanical design. For many
professionals, originality is a prime goal, shunning repetition of ideas. Cookie Cutter
architecture is the symbol of all that is wrong with our present-day society, but the
objectives of creativity in building design should not be originality for its own sake.
Essential is the search for new ways of solving problems (functional, technical, social,
urban and aesthetic) in intelligent and environmentally responsible ways.
From studies on creativity, we know that specific conditions, such as well-defined
problem limits, as challenges, can foster the creative design process (Kowaltowski et al.
2007). Giving students design tools, such as drawing, CAD and model making, has traditionally been considered important; however, without giving specific attention to
methods that may increase creativity, the design-studio is considered to be less productive
in forming creative professionals.
Studies on the creative thought process have identified that it depends on characteristics
of an individual: receptiveness or attitudes in search of new and appropriate solutions,
immersion into the problem at hand, dedication and motivation, questioning attitudes,
analysis of ideas, with special attention to flawed solutions (Kneller 1978). The capacity to
solve problems depends, as well, on two factors of cognition: repertoire (facts, principles,
concepts) and heuristics of problem solving (systemization of insights).
Accumulated knowledge or expertise are thus important and context specific. Studies
show, that there are few designers who can produce creatively over a wide field of
knowledge and there is a general view that expertise develops over time, as a person
matures. Finally, a point is reached when a peak of performance occurs and then an
inevitable decline begins (Cross 2004). Studies on outstanding designers from a wide range
of fields (engineering and product design) have shown that these professionals rely on first
principles in the origination of their concepts, exploring the problem to frame the problem
space and in many cases creative solutions arise when there is a conflict to be resolved.
These results show some similarities in creative strategies, but do not mean that experts can
switch practice between domains (Cross 2003).
Creativity can be defined as a process of becoming sensitive to a question, to a flaw or a
missing link in an area of knowledge. Importance is given to the identification of difficulties and the formulation of hypotheses of such flaws, to finally attain a solution, test it
and communicate it to a wider audience. Creativity is defined as the capacity to produce
new and original ideas (Boden 1999). However, novelty is not sufficient to classify a
solution as something original. The idea has to have a specific purpose and solve a
determined problem. Alencar (1996) shows that relevance to a context is of extreme
importance for a product to have scientific, technological, social and aesthetic value. From
this, it follows that creative thinkers are specialist in their fields and rarely are innovative
across wider areas. Specific in-depth knowledge is paramount for creative thought. Thus
for different domains the stimulus for adequate solutions is distinct as well. In engineering
design, for instance, the adequate structuring of problems and first principle exploration are
important parts of the creative process. In architectural design the manipulation of possible
design solutions, through models and drawings is essential and experience and repertoire
analysis are paramount. According to Gero (2000) most new ideas in design are based on

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analogies, mutations or combinations and in some cases first principles are applied. The
experienced architect applies these concepts at times consciously, at times as experimentations to move forward in the design process.
Kneller (1978) defines four indispensable stages in a creative process: preparation,
incubation, illumination and verification. Preparation is an investigative phase to familiarize one self with the problem environment. Incubation is a longer period, often
unconsciously happening, preparing the mind for a solution search. Hypotheses are
rejected through distancing from the problem at hand. The third stage, Illumination, occurs
when perceptions are restructured and ideas are integrated in a search for solutions (Cross
1997). Finally, Verification must occur when ideas are revised, analyzed, judged and
solutions tested. Each phase may be helped by specific methods to stimulate reflection,
perception, creation and finally testing ideas. Interesting prospects present themselves with
available methods that may increase creativity for solving design problems intelligently
(Clegg and Birch 2007; Mycoted 2007).
An important factor in stimulating creativity is the imposition of restrictions (Boden
1999). In the building design process, restrictions are present through codes, site conditions
and costs, to mention just a few aspects. Although often seen negatively as impositions,
restrictions can be positive challenges for new ideas to flourish. Restrictions, as stimuli, can
thus be applied in the design-studio to challenge students in breaking imposed barriers with
creative and appropriate solutions.
The design-studio teaching example conducted by Kowaltowski et al. (2007) showed
that creativity enhancement methods can be formally applied, in this case through imposed
restrictions. Results showed that restrictions, as design tools, can be of help to students in
their search for creative design solutions. On the other hand, this teaching experience
showed that most students cling to their first design solution, considered aesthetically
pleasing and are reluctant to abandon this, even when problems are pointed out. The
experiment indicated that further research is needed to test the introduction of other
methods, which may stimulate creativity and, in parallel, may increase students sense of
responsibility in relation to social, urban and comfort impacts of design proposals.

Design education
Most design education, especially architectural design, occurs through the studio system
and how students are stimulated in their design efforts are related to the pedagogy applied
and to the personalities (instructors) present, as well as their individual ways of
approaching design. Six basic teaching methods can be identified in the studio setting
(Kowaltowski et al. 2006b):
1. Studio teaching based on a given architectural program and site for a specific design
project or architectural typology.
2. Studio teaching based on the discussion of an architectural program, elaborated by
students and its appropriate urban setting.
3. Introduction into the studio of an actual, local design problem and the development of
a participatory process, with problem analysis and solution justification by students.
4. Teaching design as a combination of architectural theory with practical design
activities.
5. Teaching design using form generation methods and formal architectural languages.
6. Teaching design to explore specific CAD design tools.

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The synthesis of knowledge, coming from multidisciplinary areas, continues to be a

challenge in the typical design-studio of most architecture schools. The studio teaching
method relies mainly on the interaction of students with experienced professionals and
unstructured discussions concerning the specific, mostly hypothetical, design problems
posed. Many studies have examined the typical design-studio teaching method in relation
to diverse aspects: learning experiences, efficiency, quality of designs, etc. (Carsalade
1997; Oxman 1999a, b; Gouveia et al. 2001; Rufinoni 2002; Goldschmidt and Tatsa 2005;
Kowaltowski et al. 2006b).
Other studies identified problems in architectural education as related to design communication and the introduction and application of computer-aided design in architectural
courses (Nicol and Pilling 2000). Viewing architecture as pure art has often been identified
as a problem and investigations of typical professional practices have uncovered that
architects often lack knowledge on, or fail to anticipate, user needs (Salama 1995).
Importance given to the artistic content may cause architects to ignore social aspects in
architecture and to emphasize their self-expression. The aesthetic or formal bias is further
reinforced by most publications, used as teaching material in design disciplines. These are
often devoid of human content and directed towards the formal aspects of design (Kowaltowski et al. 2006c). Even technical aspects, evaluation results and user satisfaction
rates are rarely present in journals, used by students in design classes.
Schon (1983) describes design as a reflective conversation with the design situation,
thus addressing the human thought-processes and the language (drawings and models) used
to make design decisions. Schons reflection in action, according to Snodgrass and
Coyne (2006), is the workings of a hermeneutical circle. Interpretation in design must
address two issues: preconceptions and the dynamic dialogue between the parts and the
whole of a design. In design education, the question of preconception, pre-judgment or
prejudice must be addressed, since students, although without previous experience in
design per-se, do not come to the studio as a tabula rasa. The pre-understandings
students bring to their academic work come from their personal life experience and studio
instructors may attempt, in vain, to free the students mindset of such presuppositions. A
more appropriate approach to design education therefore considers to engage students in
questioning such presuppositions, expanding, and at times, rejecting responses in the
design dialogue.

Methods which may enhance creativity

To investigate the possible formal insertion of creativity enhancement tools, a literature
search on the many available methods that may stimulate creativity was conducted. This
study produced a list of some 250 methods. Table 1 presents some of these methods with a
glossary of meaning. de Bono (1992) describes many different ways to produce creative
ideas through techniques with descriptive names such as: The Creative Pause, Focus,
Challenge, Alternatives, The Concept Fan, Concepts, Provocation, Movement, Setting Up Provocations, The Random Input, and Sensitizing Techniques.
A large number of the methods found in the literature on creativity relate to a wide variety
of areas: psychology, pedagogy, business administration, marketing, industrial design, fine
arts and architectural and engineering design (Clegg and Birch 2007; Mycoted 2007). For
that reason, not all of the methods found in the literature on creativity are necessarily useful
in typical architectural design processes, for example the QFD method rarely applies.

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Table 1 Glossary of various methods, found in the literature, that may stimulate creativity (Clegg and
Birch 2007; Mycoted 2007)
Method

Description

Assumption busting

A list of assumptions about the problem is made. Correctness in

relation to the problem at hand is tested. New assumptions appear
and the most applicable of these are used to find solutions

CATWOE

Technique consisting in seven steps:

Appreciating the unstructured problematical situation
Understanding the worldviews of the key stakeholders
Creating root definitions of relevant systems
Making and testing conceptual models based upon worldviews
Comparing conceptual models with reality
Identifying feasible and desirable changes
Acting to improve the problem situation

Cause-effect diagram

Related to the concept of lean construction, where processes can be

measured, analyzed, improved and controlled with emphasis on
customer dissatisfaction

Crawford slip method

A written brainstorming method where the mediator will generate a

report on the paper slips of the team members. IBIS the planning
method devised by Rittel used this idea coupled with the Delphi
method

Delphi method

The Delphi method is an interactive forecasting method. Relies on

input of independent experts, in several rounds, with revised
forecast based on output of previous round. Results converge
towards best solutions using mean or median scores. The number
of rounds, achievement of consensus and stability of results are
established beforehand

Force-field analysis

Force field analysis looks factors (forces) that influence (hinder or

help) a situation or problem. Used mainly in management planning

Gallery

Team members must create their gallery of ideas on a poster and hang
them for contemplation and discussion by other team members

Inputoutput

Developed by General Electric. The technique identifies new ways of

reaching a design goal by focusing on the input (attributes) and final
output desired. Requirements and restrictions (specifications) are
structured for this purpose

Morphological analysis

A problem-solving technique based on problem structuring and

elimination of the illogical solution combinations

NAF (Novelty, attractiveness

and functionality)

Solutions are analyzed as to their novelty, attractiveness and

functional usefulness. Grades are given on a 110 scale for each
attribute

Other peoples viewpoints

Technique to encourage people to adopt unfamiliar viewpoints during

a problem discussion

PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act)

PDCA is a four-step problem-solving process also known as the

Deming Cycle. Starting with: PLAN: Establish goals and processes
necessary to deliver results in accordance with the specifications.
DO: Implement the processes. CHECK: evaluate the processes
against the goals. ACT: introduce action to improve the process and
start the PDCA process over

QFD

Method to transform user demands into design quality, to deploy the

functions forming quality, and to deploy methods for achieving the
design quality into subsystems and component parts, and ultimately
to specific elements of the manufacturing process

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Table 1 continued
Method

Description

Random stimuli

Random stimulus is based on randomization with exploration of

associations to novel non intentional ideas. The Random Word
technique starts with a random word used to generate new
associations. This helps to look at problems from unusual sides
directing thought toward creative solutions

Relational words

Type of forced-relationship process that uses a checklist of verbs and

prepositions. Used by editors to create book titles and marketers to
name new products for example

SCAMPER

Comes from Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Produce or find

new applications, Eliminate and Rearrange. Questions are made to
transform an object or process through the above verbs

Six sigma (DMAIC and DMADV)

The methodology consists of:

Define process improvement goals consistent with customer
demands and enterprise strategy. Measure key aspects of the
current process and collect relevant data
Analyze data to verify cause-and-effect relationships. Determine the
relationships and ensure that all factors have been considered
Improve the process based upon data analysis using techniques like
design of experiments
Control to correct deviations from target. Set up pilot runs to
establish process capability
Finally move onto production, set up control mechanisms and
continuously monitor the process

Six thinking hats

The hats represent six thinking strategies identified by Edward de

Bono, consciously applied in techniques to enhance creativity. Red
hatEmotional thinking. Yellow HatPositive thinking. Black
HatCritical thinking. White HatFacts. Green HatCreative
thinking. Blue HatBig Picture

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,

Opportunities, Threats)

A strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths,

Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project by
identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and
unfavorable to achieving that objective

Synetics

Synetics is a technique to generate and evaluate ideas. In the first

session the problem is analyzed. In the second session the problems
is described and the scope of action determined. Ideas are generated
(using other techniques). Idea springboards are identified to focus
on the solution realm. Possible solutions are brought forward. These
are analyzed and a new cycle of synetics may have to begin if the
solutions are rejected until a consensus is reached

In relation to design education, project-based learning has been adopted as the key
teachinglearning strategy by most universities. According to Christiaans and Venselaar
(2005) the question of the effectiveness of this approach still remains unanswered. These
authors also state that one of the issues in design education, that has only been dealt with at
an intuitive level, is the enhancement of creative abilities. Since creativity is one of the key
concepts when judging a designer or a design solution, the main question that still has to be
answered is how can knowledge that enhances creative designing be taught using explicit
instruction (Christiaans and Venselaar 2005).
Precedent based design (Oxman 1999a) is accepted as one of the cognitive phenomena
in design creativity as a source of ideation, and although the importance of intricate and

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detailed knowledge as being essential to designing is well recognized, little is known about
how the knowledge base of the (novice) designer affects the quality or creativity of the
design (Christiaans and Venselaar 2005). Howard-Jones (2002) has shown many pitfalls
and potentials of methods to stimulate creativity and recommends the need for investigations on the application of specific methods.
From our literature search, methods or techniques have been selected, in relation to their
potential for being tested in the building design context and the architecture studio environment. These are: Analogies; Attribute Listing; Axiomatic design method; Bio-Mimeticry; Brainstorming; Browsing; Charette; Component Detailing; Do Nothing; Doodling;
Drawing; Exaggeration; Excursions; First Principle; Focus Groups; Mind Mapping; Other
Peoples Viewpoints, TRIZ; Think Tank; Using Crazy Ideas; Using Experts; Visual
Brainstorming; Visualizing a Goal; Working with Dreams and Images. Many of these
methods are traditionally part of the design process, such as Charrettes, and those that
emphasize visualization of ideas (Goldschmidt and Smolkov 2006; van der Lugt 2005).
Other methods such as Do nothing need no formal introduction into the typical teaching
studio, as this attitude is one of the many complaints of design instructors. However, Do
nothing productively is another matter to be investigated. The idea behind this technique
is to imagine what happens if nothing is done to solve a specific problem and finding
solutions from what is defined as the worst scenario.
The possibility of successfully applying some of these methods to architectural design
education is contingent to the ways design occurs or is produced, and methods that may
enhance creativity can be categorized according to their applicability to the phases of the
design process. In Table 2 some of the potentially appropriate methods are related to each
of these phases identified by Kneller (1978).
New methods, not inherently part of typical design processes should be investigated
as well. Here, some of the more promising methods for design processes are discussed.
They are: Analogy, Attribute list, TRIZ, Brainstorming, Mental maps or Mind mapping
and Biomimicry. These methods were singled out since they are especially useful in the
idea generation phase of design processes (Jones 1970; Altshuller 1984; Gero 2000).
Biomimicry was included since it is a specific form of analogy, based on principles coming from nature, referred to in many studies on sustainable design (Benyus
1997).

Table 2 Classification of various methods that may stimulate creativity in relation to phases of the creative
process (Clegg and Birch 2007; Mycoted 2007)
Creative process
phase

Methods

Problem definition Assumption Busting; Assumption Surfacing; Backwards Forwards Planning Boundary
Examination; CATWOE; Chunking; Five Ws and Hs; Multiple Redefinition; Other
Peoples Definitions; Paraphrasing Key Words; Why Why Why
Idea generation

Analogy; Attribute Listing; Biomimicry; Mind Mapping; Morphological Analysis;

Nominal Group Technique; Pictures as Idea Triggers; Pin Cards; Random Stimuli;
Talking Pictures; TRIZ

Idea selection

Advantages, Limitations and Unique Qualities; Anonymous Voting; Consensus

Mapping; Idea Advocate; NAF; Plusses Potentials and Concerns; Sticking Dots;
Unique Qualities

Idea verification

PDCA; QFD; Six sigma

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The attribute list breaks the problem into parts and investigates these individually, with
potential in design education. The technique consists in identifying essential characteristics
of a product or process and reflects on ways to modify and improve these. Bouillerce and
Carre (2004) recommend that an inventory of all aspects of a problem should be made:
types of material used, dimensions, building technique, fabrication process, user requirements, etc. Once the list is ready, priorities are marked and alternatives suggested. The
combination of ideas increases exponentially, according to Davis (1992), with the number
of attributes.
TRIZ, or the theory of inventive problem solving in Russian, is a method created by
Altshuller (1984), based on more than three million patents of the Soviet Union in the
1950s to discover the patterns that predict breakthrough solutions to problems. TRIZ
research began with the hypothesis that there are universal principles of creativity, which
are the basis for technological innovations. Problems are structured according to 40 basic
inventive principles, identified by Altshuller in the patents such as: weight of moving
object; length of moving object; speed; force; stress; shape; temperature; illumination
intensity; power; loss of energy, time, substance, information; reliability; ease of maintenance, operation repair; etc. If these principles are identified and codified, they could be
taught to people to make the process of creativity more predictable. A matrix is created
which can be applied to new inventions.
The argument behind TRIZ is that somebody somewhere has already solved this
problem, or one very similar to it (Barry et al. 2005). Creativity is now finding that solution
and adapting it to the particular problem at hand. To solve problems TRIZ uses logic and
data, not intuition. TRIZ also provides repeatability, predictability and reliability due to its
structure and algorithmic approach.
Kiatake (2004) tested the application of TRIZ to architectural design problems. The
transfer of TRIZ principles to the architectural design process was attempted and the case
study presents some promising results in relation to facilitating decision-making. Kiatake
(2004) used 16 specific architectural design goals including environmental comfort (visual,
thermal, acoustics and smell), ergonomics, efficiency, equilibrium, flexibility, visual
impact, independence, movement, functionality or practicality, productivity, rationalization and security and safety. According to Kiatake (2004), solution alternatives were
generated with added ease and their evaluation was more focused, using the TRIZ matrix
as the base to defend or justify issues.
Brainstorming is probably the best-known method to stimulate creativity, where experts
from various fields put their ideas forward without prior judgment. There are basic rules to
Brainstorming: Focus on quantity; No criticism; Unusual ideas are welcome since they
combine and improve ideas. In Osborns (1957) definition, Brainstorming is a conference
technique by which a group of people attempts to find a solution for a specific problem by
amassing ideas spontaneously.
A further method, called the Mental Map or Tree diagram (Siqueira 2007), is based on
the potential of idea generation when structured according to initial concepts. This method
is usually associated with the visual representation of ideas, to help the free association
process of Brainstorming. Ideas are classified, structured and visually presented. By
mapping information, rapid expansion and exploration of an idea occurs. Analogy of
images may be part of this method. In design processes, this method is often identified in
the drawings of architects, especially in first sketches (Rowe 1992; Lawson 1997).
Finally, Biomimicry is considered the transfer of technology between life forms and
man-made constructs (Benyus 1997). According to proponents of bionic technology, it is
recommended because evolutionary pressures typically force living organisms to become

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highly optimized and efficient. From this, biomimetics, biognosis, Biomimicry, or bionical
creativity engineering are applications of biological methods and systems found in nature
to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology. The view of
imitating nature is however, also the main criticism of Biomimicry, since nature does not
necessarily function on optimum designs, but on natural selection for sufficiently good
solutions.
The analysis of natures systems may lead to the seeds of inspiration in a creative design
process and Biomimicry is a method increasingly employed in design processes of famous
architects like Ken Yeang and Calatrava. For instance, an often cited example is the
Eastgate Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, a shopping center designed by Mick Pearce and
built in 1996. The thermal comfort of the building is supported by principles discovered in
termite mounds. Ken Yeang uses other examples. The understanding of the chemical
structure of DNA may stimulate the conception of building elements and as an analogy, a
pile of dishes of a restaurant kitchen demonstrates that building slabs may gain in stability
when rotated.

Creativity enhancement in design education

To test the introduction of methods that may enhance creativity in the design-studio an
exploratory study, as a structured interview, was conducted with 28 design instructors of
architecture schools around the world. 43 design instructors participated in the study and
28 faculty members responded to all the interview questions, outlined in Table 3. Table 4
shows the participant schools in Brazil and around the world.
One of the main goals of the study, was to ascertain if design instructors explicitly
structure their design pedagogy to enable the enhancement of creativity and what tools are
used for that purpose. The authors were testing, in this exploratory interview study, if
schools in Brazil and around the world actively apply the rich information coming from the
literature on the creative process. Thus, the use of methods that may stimulate creativity
was of interest. As a research goal out aims were several. First, the interviews questioned
design instructors on their familiarity with several of the methods that may stimulate
creativity found in the literature; then, the structured specific formal application in the
design-studio environment was of interest and the study was open to new pedagogical tools
or ideas which are seen as enhancing creativity of students, as described by the design
instructors participating in the interviews. Finally, the study tried to ascertain from design
instructors which aspects of architectural design could profit most from creativity
enhancement.
Since the authors work in Brazil and the first author teaches architectural design at the
State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil, special
attention was given to architecture schools in that country. In Brazil, Architecture Schools
emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. Courses include urban planning,
landscape and industrial design in their curricula.
Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world in area and population, prides itself of
producing architecture of recognized quality, said to be the result of its design education. A
60-year tradition in design education is mainly based on modernist principles of design and
the design methods movement has had little impact on studio pedagogy (Rufinoni 2002;
Moreira 2007; Naveiro 2008). Two exponents of this tradition have won the Pritzker Prize:
Oscar Niemeyer and Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Brazil, according to 2008 data has 224
architecture schools, producing a large number of new architects and urban designers every

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465

Table 3 Structure of questions asked in exploratory interview study on methods that may stimulate creativity in architectural design education
1. Which of these methods are known to you and applied in a design course/module? and What are the
advantages, difficulties and results of these methods?
a. Association of uncommon ideas and concepts coming from other
domains to produce new, innovative solutions
Ex: Analogy, Metaphor, Association

b. Finding models in nature which are similar in problem definition and

which may be imitated or may inspire solutions
Ex: Biomimicry

c. Spontaneous generation of large number of ideas and/or possible

solution to a problem, with choice of best solution only at the end of the
process
Ex: Brainstorming, Brainwriting, Idea Board

d. Decomposition of a problem into attributes or key-factors which may

be improved, changed or substituted
Ex: Attribute Listing, Matrix Analysis

e. Diagrams of items organized around a central concept with connections

and branching on a theme or proposition
Ex: Mind Map, Diagram, Flow Chart

f. Structure a problem into its generic domain and search for the solution
through a matrix of 40 principles found in patents.
Ex: TRIZ, Theory of inventive problem solving

2. Do you use other types of methods to stimulate creativity? Which?

3. In your opinion, are methods, which stimulate creativity more useful in the search for solutions for which
design issues?
( ) Architectural Programming
( ) Site Planning and urban
considerations
( ) Spatial/volumetric
considerations in design
( ) Formal/Aesthetics
considerations
( ) Environmental comfort/
Energy Efficiency
( ) Technical issues

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D. C. C. K. Kowaltowski et al.

Table 4 Sample of exploratory interview study on methods that may stimulate creativity: location of
architecture schools
Location

University

Brazil
Northeast
Central
Southeast

1. Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL)Maceio/AL

2. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)Natal/RN
3. Universidade de Braslia (UnB)Braslia/DF
4. Centro Universitario Moura LacerdaRibeirao Preto/SP
5. Centro Universitario Nove de Julho (UNINOVE)Sao Paulo/SP
6. Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP)Sao Paulo/SP
7. Universidade Estadual do Esprito Santo (UFES)Vitoria/ES
8. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF)Juiz de Fora/MG
9. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)Belo Horizonte/MG
10. Universidade Federal do Rio Janeiro (UFRJ)Rio de Janeiro/RJ

South

11. Centro Universitario Ritter dos ReisPorto Alegre/RS

12. Pontifcia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS)Porto
Alegre/RS
13. Universidade Federal do Parana (UFPR)Curitiba/PR
14. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)Florianopolis/SC

Around the world

Europe

1. Universitat DortmundDortmund/Germany
2. Aalborg UniversityAalborg/Denmark
3. Architectural Association (AA)London/UK
4. Newcastle UniversityNewcastle/UK
5. Oxford Brookes UniversityOxford/UK
6. Politecnico de MilanMillan/Italy

North/Central
America

7. Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania/EUA

8. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)Mexico city/Mexico

Asia

9. Islamic Azad UniversityTeheran/Iran

10. Musashi Institute of TechnologyYokohama/Japan
11. International Islamic UniversityKuala Lumpur/Malaysia
12. University of Engineering & TechnologyLahore/Paquistan

Oceania

13. University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney/Australia

14. University of SydneySydney/Australia

year. The quality of design education of these institutions is of interest, not only in view of
the level of performance of young professionals in their own regions, but also in view of
the global job market, which may absorb these graduates.
To conduct the exploratory study interviews were held with design instructors using
structured questions as shown in Table 3. The study explored the application of specific
methods that may enhance creativity. The methods selected were: Analogy, Attribute list,
TRIZ, Brainstorming, Mental maps or mind mapping and Biomimicry. As shown in
Table 2, these methods are recommended for the idea generation phase of design processes. Respondents were free to add other methods, as outlined in question, (2) of Table 3
and a final question, (3) of Table 3, asked design instructors to indicate which design
factors could gain most from the application of methods that could stimulate creativity.

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467

Here Hershbergers value structure was used to organize responses (Hershberger 1999).
These values and their related issues are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Human: functional, social, physical, physiological and psychological;

Environmental: site, climate, context, resources and waste;
Cultural: historical, institutional, political and legal;
Technological: materials, systems and processes;
Temporal: growth, change and permanence;
Economic: finance, construction, operation, maintenance and energy;
Aesthetic: form, space, color and meaning;
Safety, structural, fire, chemical, personal and criminal.

The sample was divided into two parts. The Brazilian sample definition was based on
the percentage of architecture school in the country. The 2006 census listed 186 schools
and 14 were chosen at random, proportionally distributed according to the geographic
regions in Brazil. The international sample used a survey on design education as a basis for
regional representation of architecture schools worldwide (Boucharenc 2006). Table 4
shows the distribution of participating architecture schools according to regions in Brazil
and continents around the world. The number of interviews was 43, however, only 28
participants fully answered all the questions, thus a 33% response was obtained. Results of
this exploratory study are discussed below. Table 5 shows a summary of responses to
issues in architectural design which may profit from the application of creativity methods.
In Brazil the structure of architecture courses is controlled by national curricular
requirements and therefore all schools have a final year project, which is developed by
students individually and advised by instructors, also on an individual basis. This condition
is reflected in the study results, as some of the respondents participate in this advisory
capacity. In other countries, some schools, especially those of Asia Minor, had the highest
negative response in relation to their knowledge relating to the methods. This result may be
due to a lack of English proficiency. For non-English speaking countries, the exploratory
study may need to be re-conducted with added texts in each countrys own native tongue to
explain the questions.
Table 5 gives an overall picture of how creativity is stimulated in design-studios in
Brazil and around the world. Statistical evaluation was primarily in the form of percentage
responses. A Chi-square test was applied and the P values of the tests are shown in
Tables 5. This statistical evaluation showed only one significant difference between the
Brazilian and worldwide sample. This difference relates to the last question, (3) in Table 3,
of the study. The majority of design instructors worldwide responded that the main issues
that creativity methods can enhance are: site planning and urban considerations. Only half
of Brazilian instructors saw this importance. None of the other data demonstrated significant differences in the responses, when comparing the local with the worldwide sample.
Further tests were also applied, to evaluate if knowing a method was related to the
application of another method. Thus, as an example, Analogy and Biomimicry were
compared. For this evaluation, the Fisher Exact Test was used. This test is suitable for
testing independence on two-way contingency tables with multinomial sampling, and it is
called exact because it does not use large-sample approximation distributions, but an exact
distribution. The Bonferroni Correction was used in conjunction with this test. All
creativity stimulus methods were compared, but no statistical significance was shown.
Thus, knowing one method is independent of the application of another.
The general results show that design-studio instructors are concerned about stimulating
students creativity. However, tools that may enhance creativity are mainly applied

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123

Table 5 Major results of exploratory interview study on methods that may simulate creativity in architectural design education
Detailed response to question: which of these methods are known to you and applied in a design course/module? and What are the advantages, difficulties and results of these
methods?
Method

Location Application (%)

Analogy,
Metaphor

P value = 0,4725

Biomimicry

Advantages

Disadvantages

Pedagogical results

Used Known
Not used

Not
known

Brazil

79

21

27% none; 18% difficulty 55% very

36% Increase in
82% Designof finding analogies
satisfactory 27%
studio 27% final student repertoire;
good for idea
27% Better choice of
design-studio
analysis/underst.
solution realm
concepts

World

62

23

15

75% Designstudio

25%Solution
exploration;25%
dev. lateral thought
process

Brazil

43

57

50% Designstudio

50% better underst. of 50% difficult to apply in

design question
design-studio, diff. to
distinguish analogy
from Biomimicry

World

57

36

38% Designstudio; 25%

Sustainable
design

38% better solutions

options 25% better
underst. of design
question

63% difficulty of applying 25% very

satisfactory; 25%
analogies to design
varies;
problem;

50% difficult to apply in

design-studio 25% no
problems associated

50% very
satisfactory

50% very
satisfactory 25%
good sustainable
solutions 13%
leads to useful
discussions

D. C. C. K. Kowaltowski et al.

P value = 0,4495

Most applied in

Detailed response to question: which of these methods are known to you and applied in a design course/module? and What are the advantages, difficulties and results of these
methods?
Method

Location Application (%)

Brainstorming

P value = 0,6945

Attribute list

Most applied in

Advantages

Disadvantages

Pedagogical results

Used Known
Not used

Not
known

Brazil

57

43

75% Designstudio 25%

Environmental
comfort classes
25% final year
project

38% satisfactory
63% Multiple solution 38% lack of student
25% excellent
initiative, needs
proposal; 50% quick
instructor intervention;
discussion and focus
38% lack of develop. of
on design problem
ideas 25% diverts
attention

World

64

29

57% Designstudio;

56% generation of
multiple solutions;
22% exploration of
unfamiliar ideas;
22% good group
work

Brazil

57

36

75% Designstudio 38%

Environ.
Comfort 25%
final year
project

25% difficulty in
50% clearer underst.
establishing attributes
of design problem
25% analysis of pos. 25% too time
consuming
and neg. points

World

72

14

14

40% Designstudio

30% clearer
understanding of
design problem

P value = 0,5164

Methods that may stimulate creativity

Table 5 continued

33% not stimulating 22% 22% satisfactory

22% good
lack of student
creative
initiative, needs
solutions; 22%
instructor intervention;
Stimulus to
exchange of
ideas;

10% too cumbersome,

38% better underst.

of design
problem 25%
excellent method

20% satisfactory

469

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123

Table 5 continued
Detailed response to question: which of these methods are known to you and applied in a design course/module? and What are the advantages, difficulties and results of these
methods?
Method

Location Application (%)

Mind map

Advantages

Disadvantages

Used Known
Not used

Not
known

Brazil

79

21

64% Designstudio 37%

Final Year
project

%46 better underst. of 27% no problems 18%

difficulty in structuring
design problem 27%
the diagram
better structuring of
functional relations

World

57

36

38% Designstudio

38% underst. of
functional
requirements, 25%
better underst. of
design problem

P value = 0,4197

TRIZ

Most applied in

Brazil

21,4

78,6

World

7,1

92,9

Pedagogical results

18% excellent 18%

satisfactory

25% difficulty in applying 13% better underst.

to design development
13% satisfactory

P value = 0,5956

D. C. C. K. Kowaltowski et al.

Methods that may stimulate creativity

471

informally in an unstructured manner. Since the study was conducted as an interview, the
commentaries indicated a loose knowledge of creativity enhancement tools and many
affirmations showed that instructors use personal ways of stimulating creativity in their
design classes, not readily identified as methods, techniques or tools.
Analogy was considered the most appropriate technique to enhance creativity in students. The technique is appropriate for all course levels. Design methodology courses and
sustainable design can profit most from the application of Analogy. The advantages of this
method are the possibility of increasing students repertoire. In Brazil, teaching staff
thought that analogies help the design discussion by integrating meaning and communication to design, but pointed out that when up-to-date literature is not readily available
difficulties in sustaining the method arise.
Design repertoire is of prime importance to enhance the creative process. Akin (1986)
states that conceptual abstractions, coming from references, create bridges between mental
and physical activities and are the basis for deeper exploration of theoretical concepts of
design repertoire. Cross (1997) explains the creative leap in the design process in a similar
way. Formal repertoire is also known to be the most often applied information in the
design-studio (Oxman 1999b). Given a specific design reference, a student may learn to
identify relevant concepts and build a theoretical basis for his/her design knowledge, which
can then generate new design solutions.
Design instructors of worldwide schools of architecture stated that metaphors increased
the exploration of various design solutions and developed lateral thought processes, but
thought that analogy is a difficult method to apply in the design-studio system. The main
problem is related to finding adequate examples and avoiding shallow associations, which
may compromise design choices (Holyoak and Thagard 1996). Casakin (2004) argues that
students lack analytical tools to reflect with some depth on their design problem and this
causes difficulties in using analogies as a design tool. With time and increased experience,
students will learn to see a design problem from various angles, both conceptually and as
abstractions. Once they are able to proceed this way, analogies are applied with more ease
and productivity.
The exploratory study separated Biomimicry as a special method to stimulate design
creativity. This was done in an effort to emphasize that Biomimicry is a more complex
analogy, demanding understanding of the natural phenomenon behind a specific biological structure or example. Mainly introductory design classes and environmental
comfort studies can profit from the use of Biomimicry application as shown in Table 5.
In schools around the world, but not in Brazil, sustainable design and environmental
comfort studies are the main courses mentioned with positive application for Biomimicry. A better understanding of design problems is possible since they are said to be
comprehended when associated to phenomenon and evolutionary systems found in nature. On the other hand, respondents also find this method difficult with students, since
they tend to use only visual associations, without the accompanying functional systematic study. A further problem, associated to the application of Biomimicry, is the
tendency of inducing organic forms in design, curtailing students freedom of design
choices. On the other hand, of using Biomimicry are considered satisfactory, especially
with students with good drawing abilities, since they are capable of translating and
communicating their ideas with clarity and detail.
The application of Brainstorming in architectural design-studios helps the spontaneous
generation of ideas in groups as shown in Table 5. Most architectural design disciplines are
said to profit most from this method. The use of Brainstorming occurs in the initial years
(first to third year in Brazil) and worldwide more towards the end of typical architecture

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courses (third to forth year). The advantages of Brainstorming in design instruction are
quick and multiple generation of design solutions at the beginning of a course. The method
may also be a good way of stimulating discussions and reflections on proposed solutions.
Most faculty members in schools around the world also mentioned avoiding stagnation in
the design process, based on unique solutions. The exploration of the unfamiliar can be
achieved and Brainstorming encourages group work. The method thus stimulates productivity in the design process, through an increases repertoire.
The relation between quantity and quality of ideas generated is an important issue to
consider. Brainstorming is most effective when the largest number of ideas is brought
forward. In architecture, Goldschmidt and Tatsa (2005) showed that students, with more
ideas in relation to the design problem, are able to find better solutions and develop them
further. This is further affirmed, by showing that the quality of first ideas affects the
number of ideas that can be connected to new proposals.
Disadvantages mentioned in our study in relation to Brainstorming are the poverty of
ideas that are brought forward by students, due to their lack of experience and maturity.
Another problem is how to focus students on more than the final form of their design. Often
students are said to be reluctant to participate, fearing that their ideas may be considered
poor or naive. This situation needs the intervention of faculty.
Brainstorming needs to be structured to create awareness that the initial stages of design
are essential and instrumental for later design development phases. Shortcuts are avoided
and other methods can be applied to verify ideas and optimize the solution search.
However, the exploratory study of this paper showed that most instructors do not follow
the formal ways the method demands, but introduce Brainstorming loosely for group
discussions.
The attribute list method is considered a useful and effective method according to the
results shown in Table 5. It can be used at any stage of a typical design course, but is
considered more effective in graduate courses. The method is said to give a clear vision of
a design problem through its decomposition. The complexity of a design problem can be
visually clarified through the demonstration of positive and negative points of the solution
realm. The advantages are the diagnosis of a problem with different viewpoints, coming
from various disciplines. Optimization and hierarchical structuring of solutions are possible. In addition, the discussion is naturally amplified through the decomposition. The
difficulties are mainly related to establishing attributes and then converting these to design
solutions. The method is considered cumbersome and needs active involvement and
guidance by instructors.
Mental Maps are considered useful at all levels of formal design education. The main
advantages are the increase and understanding of design repertoire and the organization of
a design problem. A further positive point is the graphical exposition of ideas that the
method induces. Drawing skills are trained, with direct application to design manipulation.
The dangers however, lie in this graphical transposition as well, where immature students
may read design solutions (plan forms) directly in diagrams and schematic decomposition
of problems. Overall, instructors praise the method for its concentration on problem
comprehension.
The results of the use of TRIZ in design education show that this method is not well
known by design instructors, although very much present in the literature on creativity and
applied in engineering schools. The reason for this may be the fact that the TRIZ matrix is
very specific, coming from mainly mechanical engineering innovation and the solution
realm has not yet successfully been translated to architectural problems. An interesting
investigation could be the analysis of design repertoire and its repeated and qualitative

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473

ways of solving known design problems to construct an architectural TRIZ matrix. These
principles are not so much seen as a recipe for design solutions, but as a stimulus for a
productive design process.
The exploratory study of this paper included a question (2) of Table 3, for participants
to indicate other methods that may stimulate creativity in the teaching of architectural
design. Most design instructors replied that they mainly use analysis of design references
(repertoire) and case studies. In addition, observations of reality and everyday life were
considered essential methods to design stimulus. The repertoire analysis method was once
criticized as inducing students to copy masters. This is today no longer seen as a problem,
as long as the analytical process is well understood and conducted, in a structured manner.
In addition, an analysis of everyday life (quotidian) can enrich the design process through
authentic cultural products and expressions, dissipating any fears of loss of originality from
observing the usual and known (Carsalade 1997). Formal precedence analysis is considered
of prime importance in design instruction, since it amplifies students experience, which
can then be applied to their design solution realm. Hertzberger (1996) affirms that the more
students can absorb from design references, the more guidance exists for their design
decision-making process.
Other methods mentioned, in this open question, were group discussions and design
criticism by students of the work of colleagues. Charrettes or concentrated short period
design exercises were mentioned as positive methods that may productively stimulate
creativity. Group discussions permit students to think beyond their own work. The
exchange of ideas can help design development mutually. Learning from others is valued
as a stimulus to the divergent thought process (van der Lugt 2005).
In relation to the last question, (3) of Table 3, on the most appropriate application of
methods in the design process and the factors which may profit most, the respondents
indicated that stimulating creativity is best suited to formal questions of design, citing
aspects of aesthetics as an important creativity issue. Brazilian instructors considered the
acquisition of a repertoire (design references) as a major issue in design education. This
reflects the importance given do formal aspects of design in most schools in the country,
coming from a Beaux-Arts tradition and passing through a modernist inclination in design
instruction. Schools of architecture around the world indicate that emphasis on technical
solutions is stronger through a detailed architectural programming stage, search for
environmental comfort solutions and design performance analysis and more complex
methods, such as Biomimicry and design problem decomposition methods, such as the
mental maps are more applied.
In Brazil design instructors attempt to make students analyze his/her own process and
testing of partial solutions is given importance. Worldwide the introduction of a real or role
playing client into the design process is seen as an important addition to the design-studio
system. Group work and group dynamics are seen as ways to introduce changes to the
typical design education setting. However, group composition is an issue of concern and
stress conditions in debates need analysis according to the respondents of the exploratory
study.
Use of conceptual models, 3D objects and simulations were mentioned as important
companions to design-studio teaching methods. Some instructors also indicated using the
concept of Gestalt as a method, as well as phenomenological studies, as their personal
tools for design reflections. Finally, although most instructors consider design pedagogy as
problem-based-learning (PBL), some instructors are aware of PBL as a specific tool and
have attempted to apply the method in the architectural design-studio.

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Conclusions
The results of an exploratory interview study, on the use of methods that may enhance
creativity in architectural design-studios, showed that most design instructors make an
effort in using tools to enhance creativity. Positive and negative points are presented in
relation to the application of six methods: Analogy, Attribute list, TRIZ, Brainstorming,
Mental maps or mind mapping and Biomimicry. Some differences exist between the
application of these methods in Brazil and around the world, with a study sample divided
in equal parts between architecture schools of these two groups. Since the exploratory
study was conducted as a structured interview the responses by design instructors indicated
that the methods are mainly used in an informal, unstructured manner, especially to
increase students repertoire and stimulate group discussions.
Design is an artistic activity with the application of scientific and technological
knowledge. In architecture it is also an investigation of finding the best form for the shelter
necessities of human activities. Due to the complexity of the design process there are no
precise and fixed formulas that bring together form, function, context conditions and
available technologies. With an understanding of first principles, experience and intuition,
most designers reach heuristically their design solutions. Methods to increase creativity are
rarely mentioned when the experienced designers process is discussed and the question of
creativity is often considered an implicit factor. From our results this is, to some extent,
true in design education as well.
Most formal higher education prides itself of its excellence in teaching the concepts of
science, with design education adding as well repetitions of case studies and projects in a
studio discussion environment. In many higher education institutions, professional formal
education is under discussion and various methods are tested to prepare future professionals for the work challenges that lie ahead. As a contribution to these debates, this paper
describes some of the issues that should come to the forefront in curriculum discussions,
especially in architecture schools, with creativity as a driving force for educational
changes. The exploratory study on the application of methods, as found in literature, that
may enhance creativity with design faculty of architecture courses around the world
indicates the need for more in-depth surveys on the potential application of specific
methods and techniques. These should be tested in the design-studio in relation to their
efficiency in producing designs with recognized architectural qualities and in relation to
their effective and productive support of the design processes of students.
Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank FAPESP (Fundacao de Apoio a Pesquisa do Estado
de Sao Paulo) for the support of this research project and Cezar Augusto de Freitas Anselmo and Rafael
Pimentel Maia for data analysis and statistical test support.

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