Creativity Techniques

Our creativity is frequently impaired by premature judgement. Creative ideas need time to develop without criticism, either from within, or from others. Think how hard it is to start a drawing: the temptation to rub out the first line as "incorrect". Artists learn to leave the line there, to allow the picture to develop.

Creativity techniques help us to suspend judgement, to allow the ideas to grow and to be embellished by others. Often the craziest idea, once shaped and refined, turns into the best solution.

Some techniques are directive - de Bono's Six Thinking Hats ® for example. Here the team is constrained to use only one mode of thought at a time: objective, emotional, critical, positive, creative or control. De Bono describes this as Parallel Thinking: everyone thinking in the same direction.

Other techniques are disruptive. They distract the critical faculties and allow the creative side of the brain to work. There are many techniques based on the concept of distraction. Here we will demonstrate just one: Pictures as Idea Triggers.

Think of a problem at work or in your private life. Write down as much about it as you can. Try to describe it fully. Then click on the button below to be shown a picture. Try to force a fit with your problem. Do new thoughts occur to you? There are plenty of pictures there - when you have exhausted one, move on to the next.