Things That Highly Creative People Do

Where do we get our inspiration? How do learn to think creatively? (or can we?) A colleague shared an interesting article with me months ago. Being a musician, and hopefully a creative problem-solver, I thought I'd comment on it.

For myself, creativity isn't limited to what I think we often attach to the fine arts. "She's a very creative artist." "His songwriting is so creative." These are simple examples, but creative thinking is similar to design thinking, in that we seek a need or identify a problem and attempt to deal with it effectively. It involves a great deal of patience, reflection, and revision. (like the fine arts) Creative thinking also happens in Math classes, Science classes, etc. I'm not reading Dana Boyd's "It's Complicated", and she quotes Ezster Hargittai who suggests teenagers are more likely to be "digital naives" rather than "digital Natives". The idea may also imply that creative thinking and problem solving amoung youths isn't happening to the degree that adults may think.

So what is it that creative thinkers do? Here is a summary, which in the article (I think) is intended to reflect more of an arts approach, but I'd like to think there are broader applications. (ie) "I've got to figure out how to use this application" or "This is a tough problem, so what formula will work?"

• Daydream - apparently similar brain processes to imagination / creativity
• Observe / people watch
• See possibility in a wide range of situations
• Work their own hours - ever been to a Google office? (I'd also suggest that they work at their own pace - tough to do in time-restrained schools and workplaces)
• Take time to be alone
• Try new things
• Turn hardship into opportunity
• Persevere - failing is learning (my favourite Japanese proverb is 七転び八起き- Fall down seven times, stand up eight; I even wrote a song with this as the title)
• Take risks
• Seek opportunities for self-expression
• Follow their passions, not someone else's
• They focus

Design Thinking Process - Co Barry TEDx

Check out the diagram before reading further. This is 'Design Thinking' in a nutshell. (source)

I've been trying to learn a little more about design thinking since it was first introduced to me. I have been involved tangible projects that involved this process, I don't recall doing it from the very beginning, with a local community (empathy) in mind, and an actually building something long-lasting. (the feedback) Maybe I'm wrong - I've been involved in many community-oriented projects in and out of school, but not with this process consciously in my head. The TED Talk below gives a nice anecdote of design thinking in action. (my summary and comments following)

Design Thinking: Maximizing Your Students' Creative Talent (Co Barry at TEDxDenverTeachers)

Co Barry begins with a reflection on how she learned - figuring out what the teacher wants and the 'correct answer', but not really learning to deal with complex problems, or take the risks to effectively solve them. She starts with describing a basic part of the process: identify a need and ask questions about it. (and, significantly, Barry points out that after going to the community you may often find that your perceived problem wasn't really the problem at all, but that the problem was deeper)

Empathy - going to the community and learning.

Prototype - looking for the best possible solution. 

She makes several comments, but essentially Co Barry points out that this kind of approach to learning leads to higher levels of engagement and overall achievement. The concept she offers that I will adopt fully is that 'we don't know what (future) we're preparing children for, but we can prepare them to deal with complex change and complex challenges'.

What a great way to put it. There is a deeper understanding to design thinking, but this video is a nice start to getting an idea about what design thinking is.

A couple more diagrams. (source)

And a couple of links (not commented on in this):

Article on Design Thinking by Tim Brown

60 Minutes Episode on Design Thinking

(source)