Morphological Chart
A morphological chart breaks a product into its functions, lists several ways to achieve each, then combines one option from each row into complete concepts.
Also called morphological analysis or morph chart.
Advanced◷ 30–45 minFree · no login
Break it into parts. Mix and match.
How to use it + an example
How to use it
- 1List the product's main functions down the side (hold, power, attach, adjust…).
- 2For each function, list three or four different ways to achieve it.
- 3Draw a path through one option per row to create a concept, and repeat for two or three different concepts.
Example
For a phone stand, combining a folding hinge, a rubber grip and a weighted base gives one concept; a slot, a clip and suction gives another.
When to use it: When developing ideas systematically, especially for products with several parts (MYP Design Criterion B).
Ideate: Lots of ideas first. Pick one after.
Your turn ↓
What’s the design challenge?
Break the design into its parts (parameters), list options for each, then mix one option from every part. The odd-looking mixes are the point.
Look back. Which combination would you never have thought of on your own?
Try next
- SCAMPER7 thinking strategies to transform existing ideas into new ones.Try it free →
- Lotus DiagramExpand a central idea into 8 themes, then 8 sub-ideas each.Try it free →
- Reverse BrainstormBrainstorm bad ideas first, then flip them into real solutions.Try it free →
For teachers: Ideate stage · 30-45m. Free, no login. One of the 45 design thinking tools on StudioLoom, which also puts them inside lessons so students’ thinking is saved with their project.