Why is brainstorming important in the design process?

Brainstorming is a crucial step in the design process because it encourages the generation of a diverse array of ideas and solutions. This technique allows team members to freely share their thoughts and creative concepts in a collaborative environment, fostering innovation and exploration without the immediate pressure of evaluating the practicality or feasibility of those ideas. The emphasis is on quantity over quality during this phase, as a broader selection of ideas increases the potential to uncover unique and effective solutions. By generating various concepts, teams can later refine and select the most promising options for further development.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary purpose of brainstorming. For example, rapid prototyping occurs after initial concepts have been generated and requires focused selection from those ideas. While brainstorming may help reduce conflicts by promoting open communication, its main role isn't conflict resolution. Additionally, brainstorming does not typically provide a final solution immediately; rather, it lays the groundwork for later stages of the design process where ideas can be evaluated, combined, and developed into viable solutions.