The Connection: Imagination and Creativity

 By definition there is no connection between the two. I think imagination, all by itself,  has no purpose other than to entertain you while creativity can be a very useful tool. A therapist friend of mine often talks about imagination and dreams as a way to release all those deeply rooted feelings. I enjoy people’s imagination and being around a quick-wit mind. A conversation filled with humor and imagination is a great way to spend an evening. The introverts I know seldom express their imagination openly, but I can tell it’s there. It’s easy to understand why some of my friends, with active imaginations, are also very creative. But, I don’t understand why others, who also have a wonderful imagination, claim they don’t have any creativity. Hence, the mystery of it all.

I think a labyrinth is a great symbol for one’s imagination. You let your mind wander aimlessly to escape to a land that doesn’t exist and you don’t remember how you got there. I do it all the time. You can often reach a deeper level of imagination if you are really focused. On a daily basis, I use my camera and imagination to capture ordinary tableaus out in the world and turn them into rich stories. What gets my attention is the light that illuminates the tableau. It’s the light from the sun as it bounces around the buildings and windows. If I am inside, then the light from the window or a lamp catches my eye. Often when I review these photographs they don’t resemble anything like I remember.

An example of how Imagination meets creativity.

I can’t help thinking about imagination without thinking about kids. Their imaginations are great, they run wild and can entertain them for hours. I recall, as a young kid, waking up sick and home from school on a day when it was raining. I felt trapped. So I decided that I would build a space helmet out of a paper bag and go outside and challenge the rain as if I was traveling into outer space. I quickly realized that I needed to see where I was going, so I found another toy that was a clear ball with a plastic animal inside it. I could see where the ball had been joined so I broke the seal and I now had a window for my helmet. Once I tore a hole in the bag and taped the half ball on I was ready for my space walk. Once outside, it began to hail hard and the paper bag was no match. The noise from the hail banging on the bag was really loud and my breath started clouding up the window.  I realized I was in trouble and needed to get back to my spaceship. In the distance, I could hear my mother yelling for me to get back in the house- I was saved. It was clear I needed to design a better helmet.

Yet another method.

 Even now, I often use my imagination as one of my methods to finding solutions or ideas, but I don’t allow it to wander any more. I try and keep it contained and focused. I didn’t mention this method in my last post as a way of approaching creativity, but I often turn to it when I am looking for something unusual while being challenged, wanting to be very edgy or provocative. This method is similar to practicing word association games or asking myself the question…What is the first thing that comes to my mind when I say, for example, “how am I going to get to the moon?” or anything else just as crazy.

Here’s how it works for me.

While I ask my brain a question looking for a creative answer, I allow my imagination to wander and reveal things that appear to be meaningless. They somehow spark new ideas that seem reasonably close, but are usually cliches. That triggers another set of possibilities and yet another and so on. Somehow my mind ends up with answers that are right next door to my original question. It was there all the time, you just needed to travel the maze. If I am feeling like I need a more unique answer, then I ask the same original question in a different way, sometimes many different ways so I find an answer or idea that might surprise me. It all happens rather fast. You will begin to get very confident because you know there is an answer waiting.

 So what’s the secret?   Having no fear.

We have to be forever kids, at least in spirit. Let your imagination run wild and express it. Give it a chance to be part of your life on a daily basis. Remember letting your imagination out is a lifestyle that feels alive and fun to experience. We have to be able to act out like kids, making presentations of our ideas with vigor. I have a good dose of stage fright, I love playing guitar but I have a problem playing in front of the smallest crowd. I have done it but it’s nerve racking. However when I have been asked to speak in front of hundreds of people about design, I have no problem. I know design and I am confident about what I know and believe. I have no fear as a designer and I have developed my confidence to trust my imagination and creativity.