Which comes first: Ideas or Iterations?

Do ideas provide the grounds for iterations?
On the other hand, do iterations produce ideas?

Not to spoil our brief discussion, but I’m fairly confident the answer to those last 2 questions is yes.

But a problem surfaces when we attempt to apply exclusivity to such claims.

Back peddling a little bit, if the answer to both of those questions is yes, that comes with some necessary implications.

For starters, that means the implications of those two statements are not mutually exclusive. If they can both be true statements, they don’t operate independent of each other. If anything, they’re mutually reinforcing. They feed off of each other. They propel each other forward.

Furthermore, these questions are not entirely self contained. For instance, ideas may both come from and lead to more than just iterations. On the same note, iterations may be derived from and lead to more than ideas.

What’s the point?

In design, I think we can get hung up on approaches too much.

Similar to an abuse of Thomas Edison’s remarks on the importance of perspiration over inspiration, or Albert Einstein’s equally inspiring remarks on imagination, our human natures tend to consistently struggle with the temptation of hyper focus and overemphasis leading to imbalance.

For example, our processes and approach are meant to be helpful in guiding us towards the satisfactory completion of projects. This naturally helps us be productive. It also helps us provide effective services to our clients.

But our processes can just as easily become a hinderance. After all, was there a process in place before any creative endeavor took shape?

Not that I’m aware of.

Strangely, however, we tend so often to sell the idea we’re being “creative” while at the same time following a process, which by it’s very nature screams that we’re actually shying away from true creativity.

Admittedly, we could have some discussions and parse what exactly I mean by that last statement. However, just a little thought should help lead to root of the idea.

Iteration and ideas are essential to the work of design. I would imagine they are critical components of any work.

While they aren’t the same things, they also are not opposites. Nor are they incompatible. One does not bow down in complete submission and obedience to the other.

In a perfect world, they serve each other.

Maybe in some way there’s a lesson for us as humans in this too. But I’ll leave one along for now.