How to unlock your creativity and start thinking like a designer: Exercise #2

This is the second article in a series of creativity exercises. If you missed the first one, you can find it here. One of the key points in my first post was that creativity is mainly connected with three human abilities: – to observe – to make connections – t0 look at things differently Let’s talk about the first one. “The ability to observe” – what exactly does it mean? First of all we need to admit the fact that our sight/vision is very conditional. We see only those things which we are able to see with the help of instruments given to us by nature: our eyes to capture the picture and our brain to process it. For example, in the completely dark room we will not see the items which are in there. Does it mean that the room is empty? No, it is just that our eyes are unable to see in the dark. Another example: this image shows how differently birds see things due to their ability to detect ultraviolet light, which humans don’t have:

Does this picture show that humans and birds observe two different things? No, it is the same peacock’s feather, it is just that we perceive it not in the same way. In order to develop creativity we need to overcome natural limitations of our vision and discover those qualities of the object which are not obvious or hidden from us. The “ability to observe” in terms of creativity is the power to look at different aspects of the object, distinguish its various properties and notice even smallest details. I have read about one artist who put every object he saw upside down: by doing so he was able to notice new features of it, which he wouldn’t pay attention looking at this item in a regular way.

Humans generally are very curious creatures. Their natural incapacity to see something they compensate by creating various tools. Now even in a complete darkness it is possible to see like during the day with the help of night vision device. One of the most amazing instruments created by people is the microscope. When you look through it, you can discover absolutely new shapes and forms, complex patterns, amazing colour combinations. In this hidden world nature becomes for us an endless source of inspiration, teaching us how to create unusual and beautiful designs. Now we come to the next exercise:

1. Look at different items through magnifiers – lens and microscope. Alternate (as most of us don’t have microscope) – Search for microscopic images of different textures and objects – you can find plenty of them in the Internet. 2. Choose the most interesting and start to make your own collection of inspirational images. 3. Analyze them – what has attracted you in them? Is that a pattern, a texture or combination of colours? Think on how you can apply those features in the design. Perhaps you can pull out the colours and create an unusual colour palette for the room?

Or use unusual shape as an inspiration for a furniture design? Apply interesting texture as a wall finishing? Possibilities and ideas are endless. 5. Make the sketches of your ideas. Need some example? Have a look at my drawings:

Need some more inspiration? Have a look at this presentation on my SlideShare channel. [slideshare id=16462737&doc=creativity-130211022902-phpapp02] Now it is your turn, have fun!

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