Generating new ideas can be a challenge. However, there are many ways to go about it. Sometimes it can be fun just to come up with ideas, inventions and innovations. Most people are familiar with the humorus little creative flash known as “Hey, that would make a good band name.” We all have a creative side. But most people aren’t comfortable with creativity. Often comes to us naturally as adults in the form of humor, because setting seriousness aside gives us an unrestricted arena to play in. The ideas you come up with may or may not work in the real world but they can always be made to work in the context of art.
Below we will cover three different methods with examples of generating ideas. The 5 Step Formula, The Stream of Consciousness Approach, and The Poetic Dialogue Approach.
Free corresponding pdf worksheets are included with each approach.
The 5 Step Formula
Step 1) What is the problem?
Step 2) What needs to happen?
Step 3) How could that happen?
Step 4) What technology or resources could help accomplish that?
Step 5) What would the result look like?
Example
Step 1) What is the problem?
Scuffs, scratches and stains on interior wall paint.
Step 2) What needs to happen?
Need touch up paint that would be a perfect match for any color.
Step 3) How could that happen?
Via a handheld scanner/printer that prints pigment based “ink”.
Step 4) What technology or resources could help accomplish that?
Accurate color scanning processes and analyzing programs would be needed.
Step 5) What would the result look like?
A universal paintbrush “pen” that makes the world a place for copying and pasting colors.
The Stream of Counsciousness Approach
Stream of Consciousness PDF Worksheet
Step 1) Choose an ordinary object to consider.
Step 2) List what you know about the object… both pros and cons.
Step 3) List “What If” statements and considerations of those.
Example
Step 1) Choose an ordinary object to consider.
A spoon.
Step 2) List what you know about the object… both pros and cons.
It is for liquids and soft foods… but it is tedious and you end up drinking out the bowl.
Step 3) List “What If” statements and considerations of those.
What if you could turn it into a straw?
What if it could be hollow but enclosed?
You could fill it with water so it could be weighted.
What purpose would that serve?
It could help people who have trouble holding light objects.
You could fill it half full to keep it right side up.
The Poetic Dialogue Approach
Instructions: Choose an object and write a dialogue between 2 fictitious people about it.
For our examples, we have Reggie and Samantha discussing it.
Example 1) A Fireplace.
Reggie: “Comfort.”
Samantha: “Yes, the crackling song of the flames.. It’s like a long music composition.”
Reggie: “A symphony?”
Samantha: “Yes, but it’s just one sound, one instrument. Possibly more like a ballet… of embers.”
Example 2) A Water Fountain
Reggie: “It keeps going.”
Samantha: “It’s like water chasing itself in an endless game of tag.”
Reggie: “Is that what ‘it’ is in a game tag?”
Things to Remember When Generating Ideas
While there is entertainment value in the process, not every idea will be great or usable at the moment. I strongly suggest keeping an idea/inspiration notebook that you can later refer to when you need to come up with something.
For the Poetic Dialogue examples, I casted my characters as educated and overthinking because I find that quite amusing. However, you could get different results by having a Car Guy talking with Socrates or something else. The limit really is your imagination.
Finally, in the real world lofty and unrealistic isn’t very useful but when it comes to being creative, it can be an asset to allow yourself to be downright silly sometimes.
For more insight into what you can accomplish with creative thinking, check out the page You As An Artist.
The Creativity Tool Box
The Secret Tool That Changed Drawing For Me
A Creative Process – Planned Art
Creative Drawing Exercise: Logos
Creative Drawing Exercise: A Hand Holding What?
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