Student Toolbox

Creativity is innate but often unlearned as we grow up. Fortunately, it can be relearned by adopting intentional practices. Effective brainstorming relies on three key elements: focusing on quantity, building a creative routine, and leveraging different types of creativity.

Quantity Over Quality

Contrary to popular belief, producing a large volume of ideas often leads to better outcomes. Historical examples, such as Picasso’s thousands of artworks or Edison’s numerous patents, demonstrate that high output fosters innovation. A study with ceramics students illustrates this principle: the group graded on the quantity of pots they made produced higher-quality work than the group tasked with creating a single “perfect” pot. Generating more ideas allows for continuous learning and refinement, ultimately improving creativity.

The Role of a Creative Routine

Creativity thrives with consistent practice. Treat it like a muscle that requires regular exercise to stay active. Setting aside time daily or weekly to create, regardless of inspiration, is essential. A structured routine also conserves cognitive energy for creative work. Whether you work best early in the morning or late at night, what matters is finding a rhythm that suits you. Establishing a dedicated creative space and starting with small, low-pressure tasks can help shift your mind into a creative state.

Types of Creativity

Le Cunff outlines three main types of creativity for effective brainstorming:

1. Combinational Creativity: Combining existing ideas to form new ones. This often happens subconsciously when your brain is relaxed, like during a walk or in the shower.

2. Exploratory Creativity: Generating new ideas by questioning and expanding within the boundaries of existing concepts or systems.

3. Transformational Creativity: Breaking fundamental rules to imagine radical, innovative solutions.

These approaches often overlap, starting with transformational thinking and narrowing down to practical, combinational ideas.

Brainstorming as a Group

Collaborative brainstorming can amplify creativity but requires a safe, structured environment. Psychological safety is crucial to ensure participants feel comfortable sharing unconventional ideas. Starting with examples should be avoided to prevent limiting the range of solutions. Instead, focus on open-ended discussions that prioritize quantity over immediate quality.

A Step-by-Step Process for Brainstorming

Effective brainstorming follows five steps:

1. Define a clear focus or problem area to explore.

2. Gather relevant information to familiarize yourself with the topic.

3. Generate as many ideas as possible, using combinational, exploratory, and transformational creativity.

4. Test promising ideas in the real world to assess their viability.

5. Refine or discard ideas based on feedback, returning to earlier steps as needed.