Development of a mobile app for generating creative ideas based on exploring designers' on-line resource searching and retrieval behavior

• Seven types of behavior code were identified from the designers' ideation.
• Four association modes between words and images were adopted by designers in ideation.
• A mobile application for generating creative ideas was developed.
• Lateral and vertical thinking were determined by reviewing the designers' sketches.

This study explored the keyword thinking and searching habits of 24 design students and, on the basis of the research outcomes, developed an app for generating creative ideas (AGCI). Thirty practicing designers tested the app, and the retrospective interview results and feedback were used as criteria for modifying the app. This study assigned seven codes to behaviors observed in video recordings of each designer's ideation, and investigated the connections between the seven types of behaviors and the modes of associating words and images to be used as design concepts in developing the AGCI interface prototype. In addition, lateral thinking mode was found related to the designers' idea writing behavior, which could assist them in developing idea sketches further.