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3 Principles of Creativity
3 Principles of Creativity
choose from. This is also why it can be useful to try to solve a problem by consulting other people with different expertise.
Principle three : Creativity is enhanced by the ability to detect connections between ideas
Our store of ideas provides the ingredients to generate new ones, but it is important to remember that useful ideas might come from unexpected sources. A successful marketing campaign might appeal to certain psychological studies and relate to particular trends in the society. This involves seeing a connection between
the subject matter one is interested in (the marketing exercise) and other subjects (sociology and psychology) which might seem somewhat remote. As a concrete example, consider the so-called "fastskin" swimsuits that was introduced by the company Speedo around 1996. One of the key consideration in designing a swimsuit for athletes is to reduce the total amount of drag over the surface of the swimsuit. The company's researchers noticed that sharks are able to move very fast in water in part because of V-shaped ridges. Researchers designed swimwear fabric emulating sharkskin that produced less drag and turbulence. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, 28 of 33 Olympic Gold Medal winners wore this type of swimsuit, testifying to its success. So if we want to be creative, we must be ready to explore connections between different areas. First, this means we should have a wide knowledge base. Creative people are usually people who read widely, who have a great sense of curiosity, and are often willing to explore topics which do not bring about immediate benefits. Second, we should ensure that our learning processes should aim at a deep understanding of the connections between key concepts. Studying is not simply remembering bits and pieces of unrelated information. We should make sure that we look at the information we have from different angles, reformulate them systematically in a way to achieve better understanding.
Consider rejecting standardized formats for problem solving. Have an interest in a wide range of related and divergent fields. Take multiple perspectives on a problem. Use trial-and-error methods in their experimentation. Have a future orientation. Have self-confidence and trust in their own judgment.