Creative ThinkingWeek 9

Introduction

Similes, metaphors and analogies are thinking strategies that provide new ideas for problem-solving by making associations between objects that seem dissimilar.

Also known as figure of speech

Help generate new concepts by attaching unforeseen connections to familiar ones.

Analogical Thinking

1) Similes2) Metaphors 3) Analogies I) Personal Analogy ii) Direct Analogy Iii) Symbolic Analogy iv) Fantasy Analogy a comparison between two things,

typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification."an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies"

1) Simile Uses ‘likeness’ to establish a connection.

……. like a …….

“ sleeping like a log”

“design a computer (target) that is like a book (source)”

• 2) Metaphors and similes are both ways to compare things. We use metaphors and similes every day, but it can be hard to remember just which is which.

• A metaphor is when you say something is something. • A simile is when you say something is like something.

• For example, let's say you have a mean stepfather. If you say, "my stepfather is a bear," that's a metaphor. But if you say, "my stepfather is like a bear," that's a simile.

Similes  Metaphors

her hair was like silk her hair was silk

As mean as Oscar the Grouch meaner than Oscar the Grouch

the ship went down like lead dead fish are polished marble

light as a feather those figures are fishy

busy as a bee car salesmen are sharks

her gaze was like ice her gaze was icy

3) Analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two different things are similar, but it’s a bit more complex.

I) Personal analogyii) Direct analogyIii) Symbolic analogyiv) Fantasy analogy

a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification."an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies"

I) PERSONAL ANALOGY

1) Describe the object by listing its basic characteristics

• 2) Describe the emotions the object might have in a given situation

• 3) Describe how someone feels when using the object

• 4) Describe what it feels like to be the object

self as objectproblem-solver imagines himself being the object under examination and attempt to uncover the feelings and problems faced by the object.

Bert Loeschner – Monobloc Chair, 2012

Personal analogy of a glass of wine

• Characteristics– clear, fruity, abit heavy• Emotions– happy at dinner, – friendly at parties• Feeling when using– sophisticated– tired• Object's feelings– wanted, important

(ii) DIRECT ANALOGYcompares object's properties to properties of other objects.

The invention of Velcro brand fasteners. Invented in 1941 by Swiss engineer George de Mestral, who took the idea from the burrs that stuck tenaciously to his dog's hair. Under the microscope he noted the tiny hooks on the end of the burr's spines that caught anything with a loop - such as clothing, hair or animal fur.

(iii) SYMBOLIC ANALOGY

Symbolic Analogy (compare it to an abstract principle)

bases around examination of object's properties in an abstract fashion.

Make use of objective and personal images to describe a problem.

An example of symbolic analogy is a tree - a water pump that works for decades without any maintenance! You can try to use this analogy to bring mankind better technologies!

How do we iowf want the removal of a tumour to be carried out?

(iv) FANTASY ANALOGY • A far-fetched solution. frees your imagination from the boundaries of the normal world.

How do we in our wildest fantasy (iowf) want..the problem to be solved

Answer: without leaving any marks on the patient's skin.

This might lead to the use of two or more laser beam intersecting at a malignant tumour and destroying it.

(iv) FANTASY ANALOGY • A far-fetched solution. frees your imagination from the boundaries of the normal world.

imagine.....

What if.....

Classroom Exercise 1(thoughts/ experiences to be collated into Journal)

Select objects or images from your familiar environment that demonstrated the practice of Analogical Thinking.

Reflect on their effectiveness

Classroom Exercise 2(thoughts/ experiences to be collated into logbook)

Identify 2 existing products to discover relationships to other objects and images

Preferably seeking examples where a modest source has influenced the form of a luxurious target, and vice versa.

Helpful hint: some of the best sources are natural.

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