How do you develop your creative thinking and visualisation skills?

Just like priming a wall before painting it produces better results, priming our minds before a divergent thinking exercise can unlock broader thinking. One of my favorite techniques to leverage this psychological observation begins by priming the brainstorming process with the phrase "Never mind reality". A common trap we fall into is self-imposing constraints on our thinking by subconsciously evaluating the feasibility or acceptance of an idea. By falling into this trap of accelerated evaluation and convergence, we are training ourselves to dramatically limit our thinking to incremental improvements. Give yourself permission to unlock your full creativity. Never mind reality.

Okay, let's break it down like this: when you're brainstorming, it's like tossing out every idea you can think of - the wilder, the better. Imagine you're dreaming up this app, thinking about a cozy coffee shop or a tranquil forest. Then, when you're refining things, that's the convergent part. It's like going through those wild ideas and asking, "Can we really make it feel like a coffee shop? Does it actually work in the app?" It's taking your brainstorm mess and turning it into something polished, like editing an essay. So, immersing in complexity with ideas and then shaping them up - that's divergent and convergent thinking. It's not a robotic process; it's more like dancing with your thoughts and turning them into something awesome.

For some this mode or style of conceptual or innovative thinking comes really naturally - so greater innate potential in creative intelligence and abstract thinking. You may notice most children have a natural capacity - to daydream, be curious, and use their imaginations! If that's not so much the case for you or the team you're working with today, there are so many ways to access and train this mode of thinking: it's like a muscle, effectively. In my own experience, the key is to give the mind as much freedom as possible. Daydreaming, doodling/sketching, free-writing, nature connection, and music can all be helpful tools.

So, you know, getting creative is like letting your mind do some wild acrobatics. It's about exploring all these crazy ideas, just letting them flow, you know? And then, when it comes to feedback, it's like sharing your unique work with friends. You want to know what they think, get some cool suggestions, and make your creation even better. It's not just about hitting the books; it's about turning the chaos into your own work of art.

Okay, so, sketching and prototyping your concepts is like the rough draft before the final essay. You're putting your ideas down on paper, making sure they flow and make sense. It's like trying out different outfits before the big day – you want to see which one looks the best. So, you sketch it out, create a prototype, and basically, it's like a sneak peek before the grand reveal. It's your way of saying, "Hey world, here's a taste of what I've got brewing!"

Think of analogies and metaphors as the emojis of language. You know how a well-placed emoji can instantly convey a mood or feeling? Well, analogies and metaphors do the same thing with words. They're like the seasoning that adds flavor to your writing. Imagine your essay is a pizza, and analogies are the toppings – they make it more interesting and enjoyable. It's not about using big, fancy words; it's about making your ideas pop, just like emojis do in texts. So, sprinkle those analogies like confetti and let your writing party begin!

Imagine facing challenges is like solving puzzles. Each problem you encounter is a new puzzle to solve, and with every solution, you get better at figuring things out. It's not about making things complicated; it's about enjoying the process of finding answers. So, when you come across a tricky task, see it as a puzzle to unravel. And you know what? Figuring out puzzles is where the excitement happens! It's not about stressing; it's about having fun, gaining skills, and becoming a pro puzzle-solver in your academic journey. So, let the challenges come – you've got this!

As a creative, the generation of ideas should be a strategic and fun process. Sometimes, it is a good idea to think of nonsensical solutions that meet the objective. Other times, you can combine or incorporate a totally strange element from outside your product’s environment. Start with fun, then polish and adjust until you meet your objective and solution.

Creative Thinking and Visualization Techniques are two connected, but separate topics. Yes, divergent and convergent is part of the process of getting to new ideas, but HOW to think divergently should be outlined here. An example technique could be mind-mapping. This is where you connect topics that relate. The idea here is that the further you are away from your center main topic the more opportunities may arise to connect once seemingly unrelated subject together: convergent. So that’s an example for the first paragraph. Visualization techniques could include after work, or weekend skill building in a new 3d modeling software. I find that forcing your brain to visualize forms using varying steps/tools help to push thinking.

Letting your mind wander and enjoying playtime are fantastic ways to spark creativity. Daydreaming activates your imagination, leading to cool ideas and smart solutions. Playtime allows experimentation and trying out fresh ideas. Both provide a mental breather, opening space for creative thoughts. Happy moments reduce stress, setting the mood for creative thinking. Playful exploration fosters wild ideas and imaginative thinking. Flexibility in thinking improves through imaginative play. When lost in daydreams or playful activities, creativity flows effortlessly. Take breaks for mind-wandering or enjoy playful moments—simple practices that work wonders for boosting creativity!