5 steps that form the creative process

Creative thinking - one of the most useful skills. It is therefore important to understand how the creative process, in which ideas are born breakthrough.

In the 1870s, prints are faced with a very specific problem. Then the picture was a luxurious innovation. Readers like to see in the newspapers more shots, but no one knew how to print them quickly and cheaply.

While used zincographies technology, in which the images for printing manufactured printing clichés on zinc boards. With these clichés photo transferred onto the paper. This process is done manually. Lack of technology consisted in the fact that zinc board very quickly broke down. Therefore zincographies took a lot of time and money.

The solution to this problem has found a pioneer in the field of contemporary photography Frederick Eugene Ives, on account of which 70 patents have been the end of life.

The story of his innovative creative idea will help to better understand the five-stage system of the creative process.

The flash of insight

In his youth, Ives was an apprentice in the printing city of Ithaca. After two years learning the basics of the printing process, he opened his own photo studio and became a photographer at Cornell University. For several years, he experienced a new technique of photography and also studied camera, Typewriters and optical instruments.

In 1881, Ives opened the way to high-quality and efficient printing of illustrations.

I worked on the problem of gray scale imaging. One day I went to sleep, getting tangled in his own thoughts on the matter. As soon as I woke up in the morning, in front of me there was an image serviceable mechanism and its operation process.

Frederick Eugene Ives

Ives quickly embodied his vision to life, and in 1881 patented a method of printing to improve it over the next few years.

By 1885, he invented a simplified printing process, which proved to be even better than before. Photo divided into a series of small dots. Near picture looked like accumulation of these points, but a normal distance points merged, transforming into a complete picture of the different shades of gray.

As a result of his invention helped reduce the cost of printing photos 15 times and was the main printing techniques in the next 80 years.

A five-speed system of the creative process

In 1940, James Webb Young, manager to work with clients in an advertising agency, published a short guide titled "Techniques of Birth of ideas." In his book he presented a simple but effective way to formation breakthrough ideas.

According to Young, innovative ideas come when we create new combinations of already known. In other words, creative thinking - is the transformation of existing ideas into something unique and innovative.

The ability to generate new combinations depends on our ability to see the relationships between the various data.

Young confident that the creative process consists of five steps, and gives the following tips.

1. Collect new information

At this stage, you have to focus on the study of a specific material related to your task, and on the study of general information, while remaining open to everything new.

2. Think carefully about the information

You need to analyze the study, considered the information from different points of view and trying to link different ideas.

3. Step back from the problem

Now you need to throw the problem out of your head and do what inspires and gives you strength.

4. Let the idea emerge

When you stop to puzzle over the solution to the problem, the idea arises suddenly, like a flash of insight.

5. Shape the idea, based on feedback from other people

In order to bring the idea of ​​success, present it to the world. Be prepared for criticism and listen to it, if it is constructive.

How it works

The creative process of Frederick Eugene Ives is a great example of this five-step system in action.

Firstly, Ives gathered new information. Within two years he was an apprentice in the printing, photo studio and then led another four years. This allowed him to gain the necessary experience.

Second, he started to think about everything that has studied. Ives spent a lot of time experimenting with new techniques of printing. He is constantly creating different combinations of already known his ideas and methods.

Third, Ives moved away from solving the problem. He just went to bed, although it possessed by many doubts and thoughts. No matter how long you decide to move away from the problem. The main thing - to do what is really able to distract you from it.

Fourth, he had a brilliant idea. Ives woke up, already knowing the answer.

Also, he worked hard for several years perfecting his idea. He has corrected so much that another patented method of printing. Pretty easy to get stuck on the original version of the idea, but any breakthrough idea requires the development and refinement.

Being creative does not mean to be the first or only person to which came a good idea. Creativity - is the ability to build relationships between ideas and ready to get in the end something innovative.