The Creative Method v2

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com

The Creative Method and Systems v2a toolkit for the age of ideas

JasonTheodor.com

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theCreativeMethod


@jted

Jason TheodorCreative Director

theCreativeMethod

and systems The Creative Method & Systems — Chaos & Creativity edition

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I facilitates ideas. I direct the creation of communications so that they solve a specific client problem or need using the appropriate digital channels, and then I oversee the output of designers, art directors, copywriters, information architects, user experience experts, programmers, planners and marketing scientists, all the while keeping the bigger vision in mind.

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The Creative Method & Systemsis my attempt to describe creativity

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Creativity means not copying.Jacques Maximin, chef

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Creativity is effective noveltyMichele & Robert Root-Bernstein, Psychology Today

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Creativity is coming up with something new by letting go of convention.Kenneth Heilman, neurologist

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Creativity is the ability to restructure one’s understanding of a situation in a non-obvious way.Dr. John Kounios

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Creativity is kind of like pornography— you know it when you see it.Dr. Rex Jung

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Unlike many phenomena in science, there is no single, authoritative perspective or definition of creativity.Wikipedia

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The Scientific MethodFocus

ObserveHypothesizeExperiment

Evaluate

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The Scientific Methodis expressed from the outside in,

trying to understand existing things,and put them in a tidy box.

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Creativity is not like that.

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The Creative Methodis expressed from the inside out,trying to make new things, and

forget there ever was a box.

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It’s about the ACTION

of creating something that never existed.

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It’s about the CONNECTION

of this act to our culture and humanity

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It’s aboutDEVIATION

from the default pathby forging a new one.

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FocusActConnectDeviateEvaluate

Creative Method

Scientific Method vs Creative MethodTwo very different approaches

FocusObserve

HypothesizeExperiment

Evaluate

Scientific Method

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Recipe for Creative Success:Have a focus.

Just do itFind meaning

Think differentStay on target.

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Induction PhaseBrainstorming Quantity

Action Methods used tobreak barriers

The Creative Method & Systems v2

Analysis PhaseOrganizing Quality IdeasConnection Methods used tostrengthen bonds

Synthesis PhaseCreating a uniQue Expression

Deviation Methods used toescape default settings

Evaluation PhaseJudge and Purge Ideas Against FocusCreative Success Meter used torate and rank creative work

The Creative Method Preparation PhaseDefinition of Problem or GoalFocus Methods used to provide insight and direction

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Elements of Science

ExperimentationObservation Hypothesis

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Elements of Creativity

DeviationAction Connection

do glue skew

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‘do’Quantity

breaking barriersleads to simple, smart, well-crafted work

Pablo Picassocreated over 50,000 works

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Action

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com theCreativeMethod


‘glue’Quality

strengthening bondsleads to familiar, resonant, shareable work

Pablo Picasso’s Guernicadepicts the anguish of civil war

Connection

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com theCreativeMethod


‘skew’uniQueness

forging new pathsleads to original, flexible, challenging work

Pablo Picasso’s Bull Sketchesgo in unexpected directions

Deviation

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Elements of CreativityPut the three elements together and you have magical powers

Deviation

Action

Connection

magic

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Not all of us have these3 elements in equal measure

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Strengthening Weaknessesbash barriers, strengthen ties, take unmarked paths

barriers superficiality default

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barriers superficiality default

Some of us have a hard time getting things started.There are simply too many barriers in our way.We are weak on action.

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barriers default

Some of us have a hard time giving things real meaning.We focus on the superficial instead of the fundamental.

We are weak on connection.

superficiality

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barriers default

Some of us have a hard time being original.We default to status quo, the ‘normal’ way of doing things.

We are weak on deviation.

superficiality

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What are your strengths & weaknesses?

I have identified 8 general creative types.

Which one are you? Let’s take a quick test.

Get out a pen & paper**If you don’t have a pen & paper, see “Capture,

Catalogue, Review” in the Focus section.

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Creative Type Analyzer

Taker Mimic Empath Crazy

Dreamer Outsider Producer Maker

which creative type are you?

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a) Immediately start creating something

b) Take it all in, but do nothing.c) Ponder its intrinsic meaningd) Imagine how you would have

done it differently.

1. When you see great creative work you:

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a) That I’m doing itb) Nothing — it’s not a priorityc) That it resonates with other

peopled) That nobody has ever done it

before

2. The most important thing about my creative work is:

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a) Never have difficulty getting started

b) Give up because you don’t really know what to do

c) Do a lot of research (you <3 Wikipedia)

d) Experiment with a large variety of options

3. At the start of a new project you:

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a) I always have a creative project on the go

b) I prefer to relax by watching TVc) I find it easy to empathize with

othersd) If people knew all of my ideas

they would probably lock me up

4. Which statement(s) do you identify strongly with:

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a) I usually finish what I startb) I’m not a very creative personc) I am very interested in other

races, cultures and religionsd) I wear ‘strange’ like a badge of

honour

5. Choose all that apply (answer truthfully!):

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a) I make many, many versions of my art before I’m satisfied

b) I’m just glad to get a project over with so I can watch a game on the Television

c) I’m never happy until a project ‘feels’ right

d) If something I’ve made has been done before, I change it or set it on fire

6. Choose all that apply:

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Add up your totals:a=___ b=___ c=___ d=___

Now subtract b from a, c and d:a-b=___ c-b=___ d-b=___

Your creative type:If your total for a letter is 0, 1, 2 or 3 use a lowercase letter (a, c, or d).

If your total is 4, 5, or 6 than use an uppercase letter (A, C, or D)

___ ___ ___a or A c or C d or D

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Your creative type:

___ ___ ___a or A c or C d or D

___ ___ ___Taker

___ ___ ___Mimic

___ ___ ___Empath

___ ___ ___Crazy

___ ___ ___Dreamer

___ ___ ___Outsider

___ ___ ___Producer

___ ___ ___Maker

a c d

A c d

a C d

a c D

a C D

A c D

A C d

A C D

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The 8 Creative Types

Takeracd

MimicAcd

EmpathaCd

CrazyacD

DreameraCD

OutsiderAcD

ProducerACd

MakerACD

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Takerwatches gameshows

A Taker just consumes what is put in front of him. He is rarely interesting in creating anything but a sandwich.(eg. most North Americans)

a c d

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Mimicmimic

A Mimic can copy anything, but doesn’t understand a work’s greater significance. He has a hard time coming up with ideas on his own.(eg. Counterfeiter)

A c d

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Empathmore than a feeling

An Empath has an intimate grasp of culture and the human condition, but cannot translate this into concrete or original ideas.(eg. That person who cries at parties)

a C d

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Crazymr out of left field

A Crazy is all over the place. She is constantly thinking, but her strange ideas have no focus and are very hard to relate to. She never finishes anything she starts.(eg. Your cousins kid)

a c D

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Dreamernothing but a dreamer

A Dreamer is full of wonderful, creative ideas but has a very difficult time finishing what they start. He is often too intimidated by reality and prefers the warm solace of his mind.

a C D

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Outsideralways looking in

The Outsider is disconnected from culture either through choice or affliction, but this doesn’t stop him from creating large quantities of strange, inaccessible works.(eg. Wesley Willis, Henry Darger)

A c D

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Producerget ‘er done

A Producer is very good at making things happen and creating things people like, even if they aren’t very original. Her work is often described as ‘churned out’.(eg. Danielle Steel, Robert Bateman)

A C d

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Makerbusy making cool stuff you’ll like

A Maker is a rare and balanced artist who is prolific, relevant, and original.(eg. Lady Gaga, Picasso)

A C D

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Strengthen your weakest elements.

Build creative teams by combiningcreative strengths of individuals.

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Strengthening Weaknessesfight barriers, fight superficiality, fight default

routinize entangle meander

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But before we tackle the elements individually, you can strengthen all

your creative elements by working on Focus.

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Focus

‘cue’

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Chance favours the prepared mind.Louis Pasteur

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2

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Capture Catalogue Review

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CaptureCarry a fast, omnipresent, accessible capturing device.

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CapturePlane hits Truck, Guatemala, 1976

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CatalogueFile all ideas to make them findable and useful.

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CataloguePiles vs Stacks

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ReviewAppraise your ideas regularly.

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ReviewIdeas have a shelf life.

JasonTheodor.com

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Focusa creative brief in 4 parts

Key MessageWhat is the most important thing to convey?

Whatis the challenge?

Whois this for?

Whydo this?

target audience purpose statementcha$enge statement

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Key MessageThe Creative Method and Systems can help you be a more creative person.

WHAT: Challenge StatementDefine creativity. Help others identify their creative strengths and weaknesses. Provide tools for improving and enabling creativity.

WHO: TargetAnyone intent on making interesting original things. Could be an artist, musician, art director, designer, writer, entrepreneur, investment banker, inventor.

WHY: Purpose statementTo inspire and enable better creative output in the universe.

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1. Find a dark, relaxed space and mute all your equipment.

2. Close your eyes.3. Concentrate on breathing deeply4. Ignore your own thoughts as if they

were clouds.

DarkroomStudies show that people are better prepared for insight into a problem after a short mental break. In this era of ubiquitous connectivity, email, IMs, and social media saturation it does your brain well to reboot on occasion.

1. Find a dark, relaxed space and mute all your equipment.

2. Close your eyes.3. Concentrate on breathing deeply4. Ignore your own thoughts as if they

were clouds.

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How to BS* Bettera simple guide to better *brainstorming

Bring enough supplies (p

ens, paper, stickies, food)

Appoint a neutral Facilit

ator to keep the group o

n

task and draw out full participation (

group option)

Work in short bursts with immediate deadlines

(timeboxing) to create a fals

e sense of urgency

Get out ALL ideas: reserve

censorship & judgement

Create lots of ideas. Build on them. Bend them.

Capture everything

flickr photo: ‘Playingwithbrushes’

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.comThe Creative Method & Systems v2

How to BS* Bettera simple guide to better *brainstorming

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Types of BS*Quantity, Quality, and uniQueness

Ideation (induction)Brainstorming for Quantity

Problem Solving (analysis)Connecting & Grouping Quality Ideas

Innovation (synthesis)Pushing Ideas into uniQue Territory

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‘do’

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Action is about doing.The act of creation.

It is about learning how to fail well.It is a journey of ten-thousand steps.

It is moving forward.

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If Action is about doing, than the weakest of us— the Empaths,the Crazies, and the Dreamers—

need to break our inertia andbuild up momentum.

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Common barriers:Time

Doubt/FearProcrastination

Distraction

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To break down barriersyou need one of these.

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Barrier vs RoutinePesky barriers are resistant to random attacks

0 1

Barrier

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Barrier vs RoutineBut a barrier cannot hold up to a persistent routine

Routine0 1

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Systems

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I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.William Blake

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David Allen’s Systemgetting things done

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Scott Belsky’s Systemthe action method

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Twyla Tharp’s Systema cardboard box

great ideas

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and systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.comJasonTheodor.com

Ben Franklin’s SystemFocus & Reflection

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Once you break through your barriers (or get around them, or use them) you can use that

momentum to improve your craft.

Action begets genius.

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10,000 hours is equivalent to roughly 3 hours a day, or 20 hours a week, of practice over 10 years… No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time.Malcolm Gladwell quoting Daniel Levitin

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As you put in the hours of doing…

Your work becomes simpler to execute, and to explain due to your increased exposure.

Your work becomes smarter as you learn best practices from previous failures.

Your work becomes well-crafted because of the sheer time put against it.

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Gladwell Genius Development TrackerUse this handy dandy chart for the next decade. Print on non-yellowing acid-free paper.

Only 9083 more hours to go!

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Action Methods

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focused on quantity

break inertiaaid in ideation

provide variety

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1. Start a creative exercise.2. Don’t judge, censor, hesitate.3. Don’t let yourself stop until the time

is up, usually 10 minutes to an hour.

Streaming“Just do it.” Don’t think, just do. No judgement, no self-censorship, no hesitation, no stopping until the allocated time is up.

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When I [hear] the word “stream” uttered with such a revolting primness, what I think of is urine and not the contemporary novel.James Joyce on the Stream of Consciousness writing method

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1. Block off 10 minutes of uninterrupted time and start the clock

2. Write one or more ideas every minute for 10 minutes straight

3. Every idea counts and you must write down something even if it is ‘bad’ or doesn’t make sense

10 Ideas in 10 Minutes™This exercise is a great way to push over the barriers of time, procrastination and distraction in one concentrated sprint of ideation.

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10 Ideas in 10 MinutesWays to Illustrate Creative Elements

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1. Spend the time to write every single idea you can think of around the focus. Then think of more.

2. Exhaust all possibilities, then think of more.

3. When you get to 100 ideas (per person) you can stop.

The Law of 1%Mass quantity eventually yields quality.Helps build up Connection and Deviation skills as well, because it forces you to dig deeper to find stronger connections, and to forge new paths to find more ideas.

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Genius is 1% inspiration,99% perspiration.Thomas A. Edison

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The Law of 1%photography

I am impressed with what happens when someone stays in the same place and you took the same picture over and over and it would be different, every single frame.Annie Leibovitz, photographer

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#290: The Car-Knocker Killer #291: The Chamberlain #292: The Emperor #293: The Ritual-Master #294: The Garthim-Master #295: The Scientist #296: The Gourmand #297: The Slave-Master #298: The Treasurer #299: The Scroll Keeper #300: The Ornamentalist #301: Captain Slick-Talk #302: Sackfist, the Tapdancing Trombo #303: Souvenir-Selling Mlodinow #304: Blind Buck and "Woozy," the Invisible Seeing-Eye Dog #305: Roundhouse Farter #306: Red Ball Pnutz #307: Fake Cockney Accent Alan Strippe #308: Air and Whiskey Dale McGlue #309: Johnny RC Airplane #310: Narcotic Morgan Suds #311: Sir Francis Drank #312: Mahayana Mike #313: Miniyana Geoffrey #314: Three-Bean Otz #315: Maury the Monsoon #316: Czech Czarlie Czill #317: Sssssssssssssssss, the Hisser #318: Thanatos Koch #319: Henry Eatsmelts #320: Modem-Sniffer Gunderson #321: Half-Albino Alejandro #322: Gluttonous-Slim #323: Ragweed-Allergic Matt #324: Amorous Luminous Dirk #325: Moray Eel Ken Elmer #326: The Railbender #327: Antonio the Ombudsman #328: Karl Solenoid IV #329: Czar King Rex the Glorious Leader #330: Andy Bunkum #331: Plastic-Moustache Mortimer Tall #332: Samuel Gel Insole #333: Lemuel Gel Insole #334: Amanda Until #335: Crispy Whiskery #336: Robert Louis Stevenson, the Pirate #337: Hobo Overload #338: Leopard Print Steven Kane #339: Astonishing Shaun Eyelash #340: Billy Creak Knees #341: Owlie #342: Anwar, the Bionic #343: Reasonably Priced Motel Resse Unger #344: Ribery Dana #345: Cranberry Sauce Oppenheimer #346: Nancified Frederick #347: The Loon #348: Itinerant Jane #349: Holy Hannah Hottentot-Smythe #350: Fleabottle Boone #351: Amazin' Jack Caroo #352: Stupefying P, the Riddle-Maker #353: Todd Flaky-Palms #354: Waspwaist Fritz #355: Judge Roughneck #356: Slam Dance Dooze #357: Mariah Duckface, the Beaked Woman #358: Count Mesmerize #359: Sonny-Boy Oedipus Acre #360: Pick Mama Susan Xavier #361: Chelsea Bacon #362: Archie Axe #363: Sally Hoot-Hoot #364: Mr. Pendleton #365: Saves-Receipts Dave #366: Sir Walter British #367: Elmer, the Crankscout #368: Golden Neck #369: Marinated Alex Pons #370: El Boot #371: Shapeshifting Demon #372: Jeremiah Tip Top #373: Amanda CeeCee Stobelight #374: Irving Alva Edison, Inventor of the Hobophone #375: Leather Apron #376: Lead Apron #377: Foil Apron #378: Burnt Goathead #379: Saint Sorryass #380: Overly Familiar Fung #381: Chalmers, the Bridge Champ #382: Elephantine McMoot #383: Neekerbeeker Perry Toenz #384: Teattime BB Stiles #385: Coalie T #386: Hubbel "I Predicted Lindy Hop" Deerblind #387: Hubie Hewitt, the Broadway Legend #388: Huge Crybaby McWeepy #389: Poo-Knickers Elias #390: Elffriend Weingarten #391: Forktongue Nigel Fork #392: Woodeye Apfel #393: Hairlip Mikhail #394: Solid First Draft Patton Taylor #395: Prettynickels, the Lamb #396: Not-Only But-Also Pete #397: Pentheif Hickock #398: La Grande Mel #399: Applebee O'Bennigan McFridays #400: Ladry Jerry Lardo #401: Low-Carb Aleks Stovepipe #402: Hugo Stares #403: Eldred Splinters #404: Oliver, the Train-Oyster #405: Pring, Ultralord of the Hobo Jungle #406: Utz, the Crab Chip #407: Salt-and-Pepper Chest #408: Beverly Hills Buntz #409: Mississippi Barry Phlegm #410: Matter-Eater Brad #411: 49-State Apthorp, the Alaska-Phobe #412: New Hampshire Todd #413: "Taxachusetts" Glenn #414: Hydrocephalic Jones #415: Vermont "Greenmountain Boy" Phil Marijuana #416: Alaska Mick the Crabber #417: Arizona Ludwig #418: California Ainsley Shortpants #419: Collegeboy Brainiac, the Hobo Einstein #420: Dr. Zizmor #421: Silas Swollentoe (2 illustrations) #422: Slimneck Holden Fop #423: Aspiring Jaster #424: Illinois Obama #425: Sammy Austere #426: New Mexico Anselm Turquoise-Eater #427: Caboose-Fouling Ferris Ntz #428: Prayerful Stan, the Bent-Knee Yahoo #429: Four-Fisted Jock Socko #430: Buttery-Cheeks Anton #431: Shadow ("Blinky") Preston #432: Godigisel the Vandal #433: Gunderic Godigiselson #434: Panzo the Spiral-Cut Ham #435: Smoke-Collecting Reg #436: Hot Gnome Jimmy Jackson #437: Pontius Cornsilk-Heart #438: Sanfor Who Lacks Fingerprints #439: Treesap-Covered N. Magruder #440: Thor Hammerskold, the Mexican #441: Bingo-Balls Nick Chintz #442: Bleedingtoe the Barefoot 'Bo #443: Hondo "Whatever That Lizard Is That Walks on Water" #444: Salami Sunshine #445: Fourteen-Bindelstick Frank #446: Oregon Brucie Shunt #447: Pirandello, the Many-Bearded #448: Quinn and His Quaker Oats Box Drum #449: Fatneck Runt #450: my-e-hobo.com #451:

The Law of 1%700 Hobo Names

jasontheodor.com

The Law of 1%700 Hobo Names

theCreativeMethod


‘glue’

theCreativeMethod


Connection is the ‘glue’, the meaning, that bonds the fabric of our culture, of

our emotions, of our humanity.It is imagination and empathy.

It is the threading of things together.It is the right pieces to make a

greater whole.

theCreativeMethod


If Connection is about bonding, than the weakest of us— the

Mimics, the Crazies, and the Outsiders— need to get past the superficial, the anti-social, and

explore deeper meaning.

theCreativeMethod


Common bonding agents:Imagination

EmpathyHistoryCulture

theCreativeMethod


Trendy vs LegendaryThin shallow (superficial) content cannot compete longterm with rich deep content.

0 1

Trendy

theCreativeMethod


Trendy vs LegendaryThin shallow (superficial) content cannot compete longterm with rich deep content.

0 1

Legendary

theCreativeMethod


vs

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As you strengthen the bonds…

Your work is familiar because it contains universal truths.

Your work is resonant as it taps into basic human emotion.

Your work is shareable by virtue of being a great story.

theCreativeMethod


Connection Methods

theCreativeMethod


focus on quality

link ideasstrengthen the message

tell great stories

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theCreativeMethod


1. Pick a focus2. Connect that focus to a few other ideas3. Each idea might branch out into new ideas. 4. Follow each thread until you find something

unexpected

Connect-the-ThoughtsChoose a focus. What comes to mind? Write these words down and connect them to the focus. Now what do those words remind you of? Try to exhaust either your brain or the available space. Explore the edges for more interesting, connected stories or threads. Works with The Law of 1%

theCreativeMethod


Connect-the-ThoughtsConnect-the-Thoughts

theCreativeMethod


Tangentagram

TangentometryThe imprecise geometry of rabbit holes. We all go off on tangents sometimes. Connect the thoughts is about controlled connections but sometimes we jump from idea to idea, especially online: clicking from link to link to link as we do ‘research’. This is also called a rabbit hole, perhaps after the hole in Alice in Wonderland that’s full of random objects and feels completely endless.

Tangentagon

theCreativeMethod


1. Begin with a research topic or focus.2. At every juncture, or tangent,

capture it.3. Ask yourself if it relates back to the

original topic or focus.4. If it does, connect it to create a

closed loop, a strange wandering story that doubles back on itself.

5. If it doesn’t, keep going.

TangentagonNatural progression. To make tangents useful you have to tie them up and make them eat their own tail. If done correctly it can become a great story that makes you look quite clever.

Tangentagon

theCreativeMethod


TangentagonGravitons and Alchemy

focus: science is still a mysteryGravitational force still cannot be fully understoodGravity is represented by an appleAn apple represents temptation in Judaeo-Christian mythologyThe snake did the tempting and was punished to crawl on his belly for eternityThere is an ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tailOuroboros has come to represent alchemyAlchemy is the blurry line between science and magic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros




























































































































theCreativeMethod


TangentagonJerry Seinfeld and Larry David were Masters of the Tangentagon

theCreativeMethod


TangentagramForces you to make connections between objects, to imagine new scenarios, to tell new stories. Also strengthens Deviation.

1. Take an arbitrary collection of images/objects/ideas.

2. Use all objects in a linear story that ends with the first object used

Tangentagram

theCreativeMethod


TangentagramForced Progression

theCreativeMethod


1. Choose a focus.2. Write down scenarios that would

make your idea or project fail. Write down your worst, most destructive ideas.

3. Examine which of these ‘bad’ ideas you could fix and make work in your favour.

Through the Looking GlassThis is an exercise in perspective. Choose a focus, now instead of trying to find solutions, try to make it worse. How could you alienate people? How could you make this terrible? What would it take to destroy this project and have everyone hate you? Do the opposite. Thought reversal. Psych!

Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes

theCreativeMethod


Through the Looking GlassSun Fizz annimated mascot is terrifyingly real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd9KwcTmeSo


theCreativeMethod


‘skew’

theCreativeMethod


Deviation is the ‘skew’ that knocks your work on its own angle.It’s about breaking default.It’s about not being normal.

It’s about taking the path less travelled.It’s about expressing yourself in unique,

unexpected ways by altering (or finding) your voice.

theCreativeMethod


If Deviation is about new pathways, than the weakest of us— the Mimics, the Empaths, and the Producers— need to take the time to explore directions we’ve

never taken before.

theCreativeMethod


Common Anomalies:Lying & Make believeForced Perspectives

Distortion Lenses Mutations

theCreativeMethod


What is an Outlier?Learn how to be an outlier, a statistical anomaly. Be an original. A beautiful and unique snowflake. Not all mutations are good. Most die off. But the right ones can change the course of evolution.

theCreativeMethod


Intelligence vs CreativityOur entire lives we are trained to be smart. Smart at school, smart at work. Smart means fast and efficient. It means quick, correct answers to specific questions.

0 1

Inte$igence

theCreativeMethod


Intelligence vs CreativityCreativity is slow and meandering. It needs time to percolate and permeate. It needs time to wander and explore, to discover. And sometimes it doesn’t want to stop at the intended destination or answer.

0 1

Creativity

theCreativeMethod


Intelligence vs CreativityCreativity is slow and meandering. It needs time to percolate and permeate. It needs time to wander and explore, to discover. And sometimes it doesn’t want to stop at the intended destination or answer.

0 1

Creativity2

theCreativeMethod


Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.Robert Frost

theCreativeMethod


theCreativeMethod


As you forge new the paths…

Your work is original because it hasn’t been expressed that way before.

Your work is flexible because you have viewed it from every angle.

Your work is challenging because it transforms those who experience it.

theCreativeMethod


Deviation Methods

theCreativeMethod


focused on uniQueness

make things upbreak default

look at things anew

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theCreativeMethod


1. Everyone gets a piece of paper.2. Write a question on the paper. Any questions.

The first one that comes to mind.3. Fold paper in half and pass it to the person on

your left.4. Take the new paper and on it write the answer

to your previous question(without opening it).5. Pass to your left again.6. Open the paper and read the strange

combinations out loud.

Asynchronous Q+AAnswer a different question, just like politicians. This is a preparation exercise, not ideal for coming up with ideas, but good for making the mind more malleable.

Q≠AWorks with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes

theCreativeMethod


Asynchronous Q+AYou didn’t answer my question.

Why is the sky blue?Is there ahuman soul?

The atmosphere filters out all but

the blue spectrum.

It depends who you ask. It’s very

hard to prove.

theCreativeMethod


1. Prepare 30+ small scraps of paper2. Write 10 random objects (eg TRAP)3. Building on those 10 objects, in a separate pile

write the function of each of these objects. What does it do? (eg CATCHES MICE)

4. Building on the same 10 objects, and in the last pile, write a description of each object. What does it look like? What is it made of? (eg WOOD)

5. Draw one random scrap from each pile.6. Put together and describe your new invention.

Shining New ThingA trap (object) that catches mice (function) and is ‘better’ (description).This is another exercise for pushing your brain in new directions.

functiondescription

object

Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes

theCreativeMethod


toaster

Shining New ThingPicking the random Object, Description, and Function

stem cells

mobile phone

steel

palm-sized

cultured

transfer images

crisps breadreverse aging

Objects Descriptions Functions

theCreativeMethod


Shining New ThingIntroducing the MicroDerma Face Toaster

theCreativeMethod


1. Make sh*t up

Misassociationalismthe art of telling a big fat lie

∞Works with: Action Methods Streaming, 10 Ideas in 10 Minutesand Connection Methods Connect the Thoughts, Through the Looking Glass

theCreativeMethod


MisassociationalismJohn Hodgman: lier lier pants on fire extraordinaire

theCreativeMethod


MisassociationalismPretend you are four years old. What would these signs mean to you?

theCreativeMethod


MisassociationalismPretend you are four years old. What would these signs mean to you?

ice cube elfget big or little box

theCreativeMethod


1. Take any existing idea and look at it through a different ‘lens’

2. This lens could be an unrelated genre, topic, or structure.

3. Express the old idea in a new way through this new lens.

4. Examine the unexpected results.

Content on ContentContent on Content

Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutesand Connection Method Through the Looking Glass

theCreativeMethod


Content on ContentHello Kitty Bones by Michael PaulusCartoon Characters filtered through Anatomy

theCreativeMethod


Content on ContentHello Kitty Bones by Michael PaulusCartoon Characters filtered through Anatomy

theCreativeMethod


Content on ContentToon Museum by Hyungkoo LeeCartoon Characters filtered through Anatomy filtered through Dinosaur Museum

theCreativeMethod


Through the Looking GlassGarfield minus Garfield by Dan Walsh (with Jim Davis’ blessing)Main Character filtered out of the content.

theCreativeMethod


Through the Looking GlassGarfield minus Garfield by Dan Walsh (with Jim Davis’ blessing)Main Character filtered out of the content.

theCreativeMethod


Content on ContentPublic domain defiled

theCreativeMethod


Content on ContentPride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-SmithClassic Literature filtered through Horror filtered through iPhone Apps

theCreativeMethod


Evaluation

‘review’

theCreativeMethod


Capture all of your ideas and scraps and brainstorming debris. Put the best ones forward.

Look for Quantity Quality uniQueness

Are they genius? Are they magical? It’s time to judge them.

theCreativeMethod


Does this idea/project/solution/work of staggering genius relate back to the focus?

NOThrow it back into another brainstorming session, or catalogue it for later review.

theCreativeMethod



MAYBEGo through the Creative Method a few more

times and polish it up a bit.

theCreativeMethod



YESMark your work against the

Creative Success Meter

theCreativeMethod



Simple

Smart

Well-crafted

Magical

Familiar

Resonant

Shareable

Bonus

Original

Flexible

Challenging

TOTAL

Idea or Execution: _______________________________________

Check the attributes that apply to the idea/execution you are measuring. Score one point per strong attribute. If you love the idea, one point for magic. Bonus can be applied against an exceptionally strong attribute for total of eleven.

theCreativeMethod



Simple

Smart

Well-crafted

Magical

Familiar

Resonant

Shareable

Bonus

Original

Flexible

Challenging

TOTAL

Idea or Execution: _______________________________________

Check the attributes that apply to the idea/execution you are measuring. Score one point per strong attribute. If you love the idea, one point for magic. Bonus can be applied against an exceptionally strong attribute for total of eleven.

The Creative Method Presentation

xx x

xxx

x

x x Flexible 9

theCreativeMethod


Conclusion

theCreativeMethod


Go from Taker to MakerUse the creative method for better ideas

do

fight barrierswith routine

glue

fight superficialitywith entwined meaning

skew

fight defaultwith exploration

ACTION CONNECTION DEVIATION EVALUATIONFOCUS

reviewcue

theCreativeMethod


For continuing conversation and participation:

facebook.com/creativemethod

The Creative Method and Systemsis still in beta

theCreativeMethod


http://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/1371419261




theCreativeMethod


theCreativeMethod


some of these images are copyright protected by their respective ownersCredits

Angel Tears fontby Billy Argel

Sun Fizz Sprite Commercialby Lee Garfinkel, c1995

Vitruvian Homorby Matt Groening

Russellfrom UP! by Pixar

GTD: The Workflow Mapby XPLANE

Scott Belskyfrom Behance by Scott Belsky



http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotablue/3364305134/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakotablue/3364305134/

http://www.xplane.com/wp-content/xpress/10-2009/

http://www.xplane.com/wp-content/xpress/10-2009/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hartnupj/34223725/



























































http://billyargel.blogspot.com/2010/04/billy-argel-angel-tears-font.html






































































































































http://www.actionmethod.com/

http://www.actionmethod.com/

theCreativeMethod


some of these images are copyright protected by their respective ownersCredits

Gravitonby Jan-Henrik Andersen, 2005

William Blake 1809 portrait by Thomas Phillips

Ouroborosby Theodoros Pelecanos, 1478

Garfield Minus Garfieldby Dan Walsh (with Jim Davis’ blessing)

Garfield83-10-19 by Jim Davis

Portrait of Malcolm Gladwell for TIMEby Bill Wadman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blake



http://garfield.nfshost.com/1983/10/19/

http://garfield.nfshost.com/1983/10/19/

http://garfieldminusgarfield.net/

http://garfieldminusgarfield.net/

http://www.ontakingpictures.com/2008/11/malcolm-gladwell-in-time.html

http://www.ontakingpictures.com/2008/11/malcolm-gladwell-in-time.html

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~janhande/sizedmatter/sizedmatter_images.htm

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~janhande/sizedmatter/sizedmatter_images.htm

theCreativeMethod


Stay in TouchI'd love to hear your feedback and ideas

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theCreativeMethod


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