During a brainstorming session, what is a key strategy designers should follow?

Encouraging participants to build on proposed ideas is a fundamental practice during brainstorming sessions because it fosters a collaborative environment where creativity can thrive. By prompting participants to expand on each other's suggestions, the session can generate more innovative solutions and deeper insights. This collective approach enhances the quality of the ideas, as combining different perspectives often leads to unexpected breakthroughs that an individual brainstorming alone might not achieve.

When participants are encouraged to elaborate on ideas, it promotes a sense of ownership and investment in the creative process. This positive atmosphere enables individuals to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts, leading to a more productive brainstorming session. Additionally, building on others' ideas helps participants see how different concepts can intersect, leading to a more robust set of solutions and a richer brainstorming experience overall.

In contrast, focusing on critique or limiting participation could stifle creativity, while exploring qualitative assessments may not directly drive idea generation in a brainstorming context. Thus, promoting the collaborative building of ideas is the most effective strategy for enhancing the outcomes of brainstorming sessions.