Think about the greatest inventions in history: the wheel, electricity, indoor plumbing, the internet.  Would these things be around without creativity?  The answer is a resounding “no.”  The amount of people and brainpower it took to bring society to the place it is today is astonishing.   Creativity is an essential component to innovation; without it, no improvement or progress can be made.

Like DNA, the creative process of every person is different and unique.  The way that you brainstorm may be completely different from the way your roommate or classmate does.  Imagine an introductory English class, where at the end of the semester every student has to turn in a 5-page paper: will the quality of your paper differ from your friend in the same class because he spent four hours brainstorming in the library and you got your idea while at the gym?  Maybe, if you finished your paper an hour before class began.  But, all kidding aside, the action of the creative process does not determine the quality of the idea.  However, knowing and studying your own individual ideation process can help facilitate creativity, leading you to ideas and places that never before seemed possible.

It’s all about getting your brain to work in new ways, both literally and figuratively.  When you learn new things, your brain physically adapts to this new information by building and strengthening bonds called “synapses.”  A synapse is essentially a bridge between two neurons that allows for the movement of information in the body (neural impulses).   Learning and practice strengthen these bonds.  Therefore, being creative (exposing yourself to new things) forms these new pathways in your brain.  Figuratively speaking, thinking creatively allows for new thoughts and actions to result from knowing a problem and finding an innovative solution.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were an exact formula for how to be creative?  Where you could just pick up a textbook, memorize an equation, and suddenly be finding ways to control electronic devices with thought using a microchip.  Impossible you say?  Not for a scientist from Birmingham University (see for yourself: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1210750/The-telepathy-chi...).  Okay, so the formula doesn’t exist.  But creativity does.  You just have to find how to make your creative process work to its full potential.

As with anything, it takes practice.  You have to try different ways of being creative in order to know what works best for you.  Study your creative process, learn from it, and improve on it.  Just as improvement takes creativity, the process of being creative is something that can always be made better.

Interested in taking your creativity to the next level?  Attend the first-ever Ideation Creation Workshop, being held at ASU SkySong on October 7th.  The workshop will be led by an expert in the field of idea creation, and it will cover all of the essential issues related to creative thinking.  This is a great way to get specialized information about the process of brainstorming and creating ideas; regardless of your major you can benefit from attending!  All of the important details are listed below.

Ideation Creation Workshop
Wednesday, October 7th 4:00-6:00 p.m.
ASU SkySong, Global Conference Room

The workshop is free, and refreshments will be provided.  RSVP to Scott Perkofski (Scott.Perkofski@asu.edu ) to reserve your seat.

If you’ve never been to ASU SkySong, this is a great opportunity to visit the building and see what’s inside.  Plus, parking is free.  SkySong is located 2 miles north of the ASU Tempe campus, on the Southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and McDowell.  The 72 North bus route stops directly in front of the building as well, if you wanted to utilize Tempe’s public transportation system.

Creativity is an integral component to improving the human condition.  Make your creative process as strong as it can be, and reap the benefits as you go.

Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions:
Sara.Christenson@asu.edu
(480)/884-1675