Idea Creation Through the Integration and Divergence of Thought

1. Idea Creation Through the Integration and Divergence of Thought

2. What do we mean by ‘creativity?’
“Creativity is producing a new
idea that has value to
someone.”
~ Nick Skillicorn,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y44GBM99JOA

3. Where do novel ideas come from?

4. It Starts with our Skill Set

5. It Encompasses our Experiences

6. So We Begin to Connect the Dots

7. It’s Enlarged by Intentional Learning

8. Q: How to Have a Good Idea?
Initial ideas come from memories etched in our minds and are
soon followed by ordinary ideas. Yet, when pressed further
for better ideas, the mind obliges in yielding deeper connections.
So, how can we help this process along?
A: Keep yourself from having a bad one.

9. Helping the Process Along
 Borrowing ideas from places with
similar types of problems.
 Divergent thinking.
 Combining two (often, unlike) ideas.
 Find a metaphor.

10. Borrowing Brilliance*
Borrowing ideas from another
industry or field of interest
that has addressed similar
problems or challenges.
* David Kord Murray, Borrowing Brilliance, 2010

11. Example of Borrowed Brilliance
A sample of Austin Kleon’s blackout poetry, using the New York Times.

12. Building New Ideas through
Divergent Thinking
Applying a non-linear
thought process to generate
creative ideas by exploring
many possible solutions.

13. Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking
While convergent thinking focuses on making choices that
eliminate possible solutions, divergent thinking focuses on
creating many possible choices (solutions).

14. Divergent: Many Solutions

15. Combining Unlike Ideas
(Cross-Pollination*)
Connecting and combining
non-obvious ideas and objects
engages your imagination and
unlocks your innovation engine.
* Fast Company

16. Combining Ideas
Inc.,May2012

17. Combining Ideas
WallStreetJournal

18. Finding a Metaphor
A metaphor makes a comparison
between two things that are
basically dissimilar and
serve as extremely powerful connectors
because they lead you to very different
ways of looking at problems.

19. Finding a Metaphor

20. Finding a Metaphor
©HBO’s The Game of Thrones’ White Walkers and their army of the
dead, as metaphor for climate change?

21. In closing...new ideas are powerful things.
Like any superpowers, they can be used for
good or evil … and can even help the world…

22. Ideas with Purpose
FastCompany,June2011

23. COLLEEN N. HICKMAN, Ph.D.