What is the main purpose of brainstorming?

The primary purpose of brainstorming is to generate a lot of ideas, encouraging creativity and open thinking among participants. During a brainstorming session, the focus is on quantity over quality, allowing individuals to express their thoughts freely without immediate judgment. This process can lead to a diverse range of ideas that might not emerge in a more structured or evaluative setting. The goal is to create a pool of possibilities that can later be refined and developed into viable solutions.

In contrast, evaluating ideas, eliminating less favorable ones, or presenting ideas clearly plays more of a secondary or subsequent role in the creative process. When brainstorming, the intention is to explore all potential avenues without restriction, fostering an environment where innovative concepts can thrive. This foundational phase is crucial for effective problem-solving and can lead to more robust outcomes in design and other fields.