How do I stop my initial idea ruining research

Most people don’t come out of school with that skill Sasha. It takes time to develop judgment based on experience. I expect fresh graduates to be able to produce a wide array of ideas without judgement. I want them to be explorers. I’ll do the judging and help them to understand why those selections were made. Overtime I’ll ask for their opinion and their judgements more and more to make sure they are learning and growing.

On a side note, I don’t ever use the word talent. Talent implies a person is born with something and it is actually somewhat derogatory. It is something people unwilling to put in the hours it takes to get good at something use to dismiss the skill and experience of people with more ability. Designers are made, not born. It takes time and effort and it is a progression. You don’t start a race at the finish.