How can you combine unrelated ideas to spark creativity?

One of the main tools to come up with a new idea to connect two unrelated ideas. Da Vinci used to use this tool to generate ideas. Many creative people used to use it.

La capacidad de combinar ideas aparentemente no relacionadas es como abrir una puerta a un universo de creatividad. Este enfoque no solo desafía tus suposiciones, sino que también te impulsa a descubrir conexiones insospechadas y a expandir tu comprensión de temas complejos. Al liberarte de la rigidez mental, este proceso no solo supera bloqueos, sino que también te permite explorar territorios desconocidos, evitando clichés y empujándote más allá de tu zona de confort. La combinación de ideas inconexas se convierte así en el catalizador que despierta la innovación y la frescura en tu pensamiento.

Creativity emerges from the clash of unrelated ideas. One reason is that these unusual combinations generate a perception of novelty in the minds of the observer. However, this is not sufficient—the combination also has to make "sense" secondarily or indirectly. For example, consider the combination of two concepts: frog and glasses. These are unrelated concepts; however, on its own, it is not creative. However, the idea of frog-shaped goggles for swimming is creative as it draws on a secondary concept ("water") to create meaning out of the two unrelated concepts.

Tout le monde possède la créativité. C'est surtout vrai chez les enfants, ils sont en contact directe avec cette partie si importante qui leur permet transformer un passage piéton en un pont qui traverse un fleuve rempli de crocodile (si tu marche pas sur les bandes blanches, tu vas te faire croquer les pieds). Le truc, c'est qu'en devenant adulte, on l'utilise moins alors qu'elle peut être source d'ingéniosité, de dépannage à la mac giver et encore plus. Combiner des idées sans rapport permet de faire fonctionner notre cerveau à mettre en place des stratégies aidantes, de comprendre, d'apprendre et d'évoluer. Vous pouvez vous entrainer en prenant le premier objet que vous voyez et chercher, à quoi pourrait-il servir d'autre ?

This also helps you to understand the complexity of the world. Every idea is valid regardless what we think about is at the first place.

It may be helpful to create a list of 40-100 concepts and arrange them by their relatedness (say using semantic distance measures) to the focal concepts. If you are looking for novel ideas, try to combine or associate the focal concept with the least similar concepts (semantically most distant). Sometimes, concepts that are moderately related hold the most promise.

Combining unrelated ideas is a powerful way to stimulate creativity and generate innovative solutions. Some simple examples to get started are: 1. Mind Mapping: Create a visual representation with central and related concepts, exploring intersections. 2.Metaphor and Analogy: Draw parallels between unrelated concepts, using metaphors to spark innovative connections. 3. Random Word Association: Connect random words to your problem to introduce unexpected elements and break linear thinking. 4. Reverse Thinking: Consider the opposite of your assumptions or ideas to uncover new perspectives and potential solutions.

Another perspective on finding unrelated ideas involves embracing serendipity and cultivating a curious mindset. Instead of actively seeking out diverse sources, allow yourself to stumble upon unexpected connections and inspiration in everyday life. Engage in activities like taking leisurely walks, attending community events, or even browsing through unconventional online forums. By remaining open to chance encounters and novel experiences, you may uncover unique perspectives and disparate concepts that spark creativity and innovation.

I go to museums and imagine the lives of people from the painting or sculptures and create stories about them, and then write them down not see patterns.

Exposing yourself to a wide array of topics and experiences is key to finding and combining unrelated ideas for creative inspiration. Engaging with different forms of media, interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and challenging yourself with puzzles or games can spark new connections. Tools like random word generators or image searches can also unexpectedly jumpstart your creativity. This eclectic and fun approach broadens your cognitive horizon, enriching your creative process with novel and unique perspectives.

Use a technique called Synectics. In this technique two unrelated things are considered simultaneously to find commonalities. Analogies can be established, but are not required. For example, pizza and photosynthesis. They both start with the letter P. One is a food, the other makes food. They both require layers to be successful. After multiple rounds of exploring commonalities the design team will have some creative thoughts for how to combine unrelated ideas.

To combine unrelated ideas, start by looking for shared secondary concepts. Let's take the case of two unrelated focal concepts: shoes and elephants. Next, we look for shared secondary concepts/terms linked to each of the focal concepts. In this case, the concept of "size" might be one. Thus, the idea of a product branded as "elephant-size shoe" is both novel and easy to understand. Similarly, think of "coffee" and "clock" which are unrelated but may be connected using the concept of "morning." Here the idea of a coffee-clock that wakes you up in the morning and brews you a cup appears novel and sensible.

Combining unrelated ideas involves leveraging creativity and lateral thinking to generate innovative concepts. One approach is to explore the concept of juxtaposition, where you deliberately place unrelated ideas side by side to create contrast and spark new insights. By juxtaposing disparate elements, you encourage unexpected connections and fresh perspectives to emerge. Another method is to employ the principle of synthesis, where you actively seek out common threads or underlying principles among seemingly unrelated ideas. By identifying shared themes or fundamental principles, you can weave together disparate elements into a cohesive and harmonious whole.

Key to doing this is finding commonality within the ideas. Ideas can be as diverse as the world is round but with the TARGET as the focal point, a common thread can always be found. For example, I am sure there wasa time when the idea of telephony in an application that was basically meant as a means to find college friends using headshots was practically unheard of (FaceBook). However, with Human Connection as the TARGET, ideas that had erstwhile seemed outlandish (the aforementioned telephony, ads, polls etc) suddenly seemed more organic than misplaced since they all pulled towards the same direction.

Create stories about them. Once upon a time... there was a little girl who found an old rocket in the middle of a wild forest and didn't know what to do with this discovery. And here you can list ideas what you would do in this situation considering all people you know and all communities you're part of.

Some dimensions of idea creativity include novelty, feasibility, specificity, impact, and workability. Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT, can potentially be used for the evaluation of a large number of ideas. This is discussed in detail in the 2023 Harvard Business Review magazine article How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity.

Don't evaluate them, test them. All ideas are great and valid and to clearly know which one is the right one to pursue, continuously experiment.

Acho que antes de avaliar, é importante pensar se realmente é importante avaliar. Digo isso porque o processo em si de combinar coisas, mesmo que n?o sejam geradas ideias relevantes, é por si só uma forma de exercitar a criatividade muito poderosa. Agora assim, se você está fazendo essa combina??o de ideias com um propósito de criar algo novo, ai nesses caso a avalia??o é fundamental, mas ela só tem valor mesmo se você tiver a chance de contar/mostrar essa ideia ao público alvo que se destina.

Refining combined ideas involves a process of iterative refinement and optimization to ensure they meet the desired objectives and resonate with the target audience. One strategy is to focus on clarity and coherence by simplifying the concept to its core essence while retaining its essential elements. By removing any extraneous or convoluted components, you can streamline the idea and enhance its overall effectiveness. Additionally, consider leveraging user-centered design principles to modify and tailor the combined idea to better meet the needs and preferences of its intended users. This may involve incorporating user feedback, conducting usability testing, and iterating on the design based on user insights and observations.

O grande desafio de refinar uma ideia combinada é que se ela te parece ser boa e te animou, grande chance de você achar que ela nem precisa ser refinada e se contentar com ela do jeito que está. Se ela n?o te parece uma boa ideia, grande chance de você n?o acreditar que vale a pena refinar, dado que pode parecer que ela n?o tem salva??o. Para lidar com isso é importante ter a cren?a que uma ideia nunca está pronta, e que a melhor ideia é sempre a próxima. Com isso em mente, você refina uma ideia boa e permite uma ideia conseguir te surpreender.

The only way to refine a combined idea term/idea is by observing the results and eliciting feedback. So that you know, direct communication is all that is necessary. "Hey, how has (insert idea) been serving you?" "Did you change it to help you be more effective?" Or, could you look at the person's before and after results to verify if the new idea worked as information technology and boosted their quantity or quality of output?

Consider using the method of Trisociation. Trisociation is an extension of Bisociation and involves the combination of three concepts. Generative AI tools can support the generation of ideas using trisociation as discussed in the 2023 Harvard Business Review magazine article How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity.

The best results can only be obtained when working with an engaged team. As I share with my team, the selected idea emerges through collaboration, where the initial concept is revealed, and subsequent ideas build upon one another. Additionally, documenting the results facilitates thorough revision afterward.

Keep on experimenting and testing, learn to be immunized to the statistical probabilities that most of your ideas will suck. Keep on experimenting anyway.