When it comes to UX design, ideation is the cornerstone of innovation. But what if I told you that one of the best ways to generate brilliant ideas is by intentionally brainstorming bad ones? That’s exactly what the “Bad Ideas” method is all about—a structured approach to breaking out of conventional thinking and uncovering unexpected, game-changing solutions.
Why Embrace Bad Ideas?
In UX design, there’s immense pressure to come up with good ideas right away. However, this can stifle creativity, trapping designers in logical, linear thinking. The “Bad Ideas” method encourages a shift to divergent thinking, where the quantity of ideas is prioritized over quality.
By deliberately generating impractical, absurd, or outright ridiculous ideas, designers free themselves from judgment and unlock new creative pathways. Some of these ideas may eventually evolve into brilliant solutions when reworked and refined.
The Four-Step Process of Bad Ideas Ideation
1. Generate Bad Ideas
Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and write down as many bad ideas as possible about a design problem. The key here is to be uninhibited—no idea is too absurd!
2. Analyze What’s Bad About Them
For each idea, ask:
What makes this idea bad?
Why is it considered bad?
Can this negative aspect be found in successful designs?
What makes those successful despite this feature?
3. Identify Good Aspects Within the Bad
The steps customers take at each stage, such as researching, comparing products, or seeking support.
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4. Transform and Improve
With these insights, refine your ideas:
- Keep the good parts and discard the bad.
- Explore how changing context or execution could make the idea work.
- Reframe the idea into a viable UX solution.
Case Study: Bad Ideas in UX
Consider the infamous “infinite scroll” feature. Originally, it was seen as a terrible idea—users could get lost, overwhelmed, or never find the content they needed. However, when properly refined and implemented (e.g., with loading indicators or pagination alternatives), it became a staple in social media and content-heavy sites.
Similarly, imagine designing a website with intentionally slow-loading pages. While it sounds like a terrible idea, it might create anticipation and engagement, much like a countdown timer before an exclusive product launch.
Great UX doesn’t come from playing it safe. By embracing bad ideas and systematically refining them, designers can push past creative blocks and develop innovative, user-centered solutions. So, the next time you’re stuck, try coming up with the worst ideas possible—you just might stumble upon something brilliant.
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