Application of Creativity

Is Creativity just imagination?

Creativity is a mental faculty that involves creative thinking, creative decision-making, and creative problem-solving. They are so interspersed in real life that only for studying and understanding do we classify them separately.

As imagination is also involved in fantasy and daydreaming, attributing imagination to creativity is rather naïve. Instead of saying that creativity comprises imagination, it is better to say that it includes abstract thinking. Abstract thinking is more systematic than imagination and uses ideas and concepts in a structured manner.

Creativity is required only when there is a problem to solve or when something needs to be produced anew. Without these objectives, it just becomes an act of imagination, fantasy, or daydreaming.

Graphical Representation of Creativity

The steps present in creativity are depicted graphically in the diagram above. Abstract thinking forms the basis of divergent thinking, parallel processing, and convergent thinking leading to creativity.

Let us clarify this with an example.

A painter collates ideas as there is a need to produce new art on a fresco. S/he starts with divergent thinking trying to fathom all kinds of possibilities for the shape to take a form.

S/he then uses parallel processing to see the possibilities of each line of ideas generated through divergent thinking. After considering several permutations and combinations, s/he decides to adopt one particular combination of color, shape, design, etc.

However, creative thinking is not over at this stage itself. While producing the art, the painter encounters several problems and has to keep revising his/her strategy and has to reformulate the thinking process. Changes are brought about in all aspects of thinking.

During this process, if s/he borrows ideas and concepts from either his/her own previous experience or from other external sources, it becomes innovation.

Differences between Creativity and Innovation

There is a frame of reference for innovation whereas something new and original is thought about in creativity.

Innovation involves creativity and is a part of creativity. This is the reason why innovative people are also referred to as creative.

In the above diagram, the latter part of creativity involves innovation.

Brainstorming is part of divergent thinking where you generate several ideas. Brainstorming in itself is not creativity. It is only one of the processes involved in creativity. To decide upon which idea works, you need to use parallel processing and convergent thinking.

Let us consider a few examples.

Someone who produced fire for the first time by rubbing two stones or using two twigs is an inventor. However, if you can use two stones or twigs to produce fire now, you are creating something. The greatest highlight here is the fact that not everyone can do that. Next, someone thinks of minimizing the effort and increasing convenience and comes out with a match stick. This is innovation.

Using a matchbox and a matchstick is not in any way either creative or innovative. However, the users are encouraging creativity and innovation by accepting the change.

Thus, innovation involves trying, testing, adapting, accepting, and owning the product or solution.

Benefits of Creativity

Not all creativity results in success and not all creative people are famous. It all depends upon the time and need. As children, we hoped there was a way to carry the phone so that we were reachable all the time. At that time, it looked just like a pipe dream but today it has become a reality, thanks to creativity and innovation.

All artists, designers, actors, cinematographers, directors, cooks, writers, musicians, choreographers, goldsmiths, cobblers, photographers, farmers, tailors, gardeners, carpenters, architects, software professionals, industrialists, business people, homemakers, etc. are creative because they bring something new into the environment. And society benefits from this creative output in some way or the other.

People in other professions like engineers, doctors, accountants, lawyers, teachers, scientists, pharmacists, journalists, laborers, police officers, defense personnel, managers, economists, estate agents, etc. can also become creative once in a while. However, these professions do not call for day-to-day innovation as they are mainly guided by logical thinking. Only some of them use their knowledge creatively when new solutions are necessary.

Dangers from Creativity

It is not always that creativity is wonderful. Society has both positive and negative characteristics. Creativity can also be used for destructive purposes. Thieves, robbers, dacoits, confidence tricksters, drug dealers, bootleggers, adulterers, smugglers, black marketeers, money launderers, weapon manufacturers, etc. are also creative but their jobs lead to losses in society.

Several leaders all over the world have been using creativity to destroy climate, flora, fauna, etc. for their benefit.

All professionals listed above have chances to not only use creativity beneficially but also destructively. This is the reason why creativity should be bound by moral values so that the ability is not misused.

In short, creativity involves several types of thinking. Some professionals use it regularly whereas some others use it whenever there is a need for change. In almost all professions, innovation is necessary because of the dynamic nature of society.