Creativity

I love being creative, and exploring the creative process.  I even tried my hand at writing a small book on the topic called "Aiding Computer-Ailing Design"  Here is an excerpt from the begining of that book:

Creativity 

         “Design”

For many, the words “design” and “designer” evoke the sense of free-form artistry.  We think of famous clothing designers and exciting concept cars.  There is almost a sense of intrigue and mystique.  But let’s get real!  Much design work that is required in today’s world is down right plebian.  Some sort of design is needed in order to start producing stuff to sell.  So, often design is thought of as an incidental step within the process of making money.

Yet, even for the most utilitarian of objects, design has a singularly important role to play.  In the context of this writing, I am making a distinction between design and engineering.  Though, in practice, the two disciplines are blended to various degrees.  Engineering’s primary focus is on the details of how to make everything work.  Design is more concerned with the overall form and function.

 

The truth is, with all other things being equal, design sells.  If a customer sees two items of equal utility and value, they will choose the one that looks better.  Sometimes customers will even choose the more attractive item despite its shortcomings.  Even though we know better, human beings tend to judge products by their appearance at least initially.  We may pick the beautiful apples at first until we discover that they don’t taste as good as the slightly less attractive variety.  Attention needs to be given to both the aesthetic appeal and the actual function.

The creative process extends well beyond the borders of design and can indeed apply to any human endeavor.  Being creative means coming up with something new.  A new shape, a new approach, and a different method of assembly are all results of creativity.

Fostering Creativity

It takes energy and initiative to be creative.  Creativity takes work.  Creativity also involves risk.  It is easier and safer to do things that have already been tried and proven.  The creative process also takes time and resources.  If you want creativity, it needs to be fostered.  Several conditions that must exist for creativity to flourish are open-mindedness, a ready access to information, a freedom to explore new ideas, and an understanding of how to evaluate and implement them.

Managing the Creative Process

Creativity is like the waves of the ocean.  They find their most powerful and beautiful expression when they meet the unyielding boundary of the shore.  Creativity is most useful when it is applied to a set structure of requirements and limitations.  Like bridling a horse, the trick is to reign in the process so that it is useful without tying it so tight it can’t breathe.

I will describe specific methods for managing the creative design process in the next section.  Some of the methods involve external methodologies, while others employ mental disciplines.  Anyone who is like me may be saying, “Enough already!  I don’t want to wade through a plethora of arcane and theoretical mumbo-jumbo.  Just get to the point.  Tell me how to do it.”

I wish it was that simple.  In truth, anything that can be listed down step-by-step probably doesn’t need a designer.  There are some types of items that are so simple they simply need a technician to input new numbers into a resizable design.  Yet in the arena of innovation and customization, each designer must think for themselves.

Structure 

     “Engineering & Management”

The design process must connect with the frameworks of engineering and management in order to be useful.  Engineering deals with the methods of design creation, while management deals with the resources applied to the process...

...Bla, bla, bla.  I actually managed to assemble thirty-eight pages under that title before I gave up.  Does anyone but me read stuff like that? 

    No matter - sometimes the very exercise of writing helps one to better understand their own thoughts.  I would venture to say that blogging is more about the writer than it is the reader. 

Every artistic endeavor that I have embarked on has caused me to hone my skills of observation.  Making music teaches me to listen.  Taking photos or drawing, or painting force me to look more carefully at the world around me.   Looking for creative solutions to problems causes me to pay closer attention to situations and persons around that problem, and so on.

    Creativity is a journey and a process.  I believe that our desire to be creative comes from our Heavenly Father, who made this marvelous an multifarious universe for us to enjoy.  It is natural that we would want to be creative too.  Expressing ourselves in creative ways is part of being, and feeling alive.  

    Join me in the journey, won't you?   Be creative!