3 Points of Creativity: Functions and Intricacies

From my experience, there are three processes that come from different states of being creative. Each have functions and act differently to create for different purposes.

If a client wants a stick figure and you give them a perfect Mona Lisa the artist has failed even if the execution was perfect. Each creative state has its own functions and intricacies.

Left / logically based creativity: I have worked in high-tech for more then twenty five years. Although raw creativity can bring different colors and subtle nuance to a project, the information needs to be directed at the right audience, maintain facts and data that aren't contradictory and always tell the story succinctly enough not to lose your audience.

One example of this, if you advertise chips and technologies that have to do with electronics, heat is usually not a good thing-even if the design calls for warm colors it probably will be better served with a cool pallet.

It is also necessary to think of your brand color pallet-the wrong selection can imply the wrong message-if the only color you use is a bright red with accents of neutrals, you will limit yourself to what's important and everything else is secondary, add in a green color and you have the unintentional holiday motif.

The logically based creative is functional, it usually is a longer process of editing and simplification. Logic dictates limits to nuance and a definite call for clarity. It usually supports a team effort and allows for multiple iterations, sometimes the whole idea can change due to necessity and the powers that be.

A creative in this state must have a thick skin, allow for a change of scope and be open to a rapidly developing creative landscape-the right font usually says more about clarity and readability than nuance.

Middle Brain / Logic with Nuance: In this state, the words or pictures start as vague ideas. An inspiration can come with an incomplete snapshot that needs to have gaps and inconsistencies filled in.

I experience this form of creativity while driving or listening to music, part of the brain is focused on something and the other is allowed to create.

The subconscious will often build on the initial idea and any attempt to take notes will usually threaten a the hidden nuance. I will need to think of word choice and do more editing. This process can often lend itself to using too many words and allowing the inner critic to become awkward.

This post came from a walk with the dog. Elements of the idea form as I'm writing, you have to edit and choose your words, you are still distracted by what's around you. You understand what you're writing and struggle to perfect what is being said.

This state can be very awkward because several different brain processes are working against each other. The inner critic offers doubt and tries to edit as the idea develops.

Subconscious Creativity / Metaphor, Simile, A Dance with Illogic: This state is the most wonderful state of creativity, the only negative is the often long state of fermentation. I consider depression and block as a precursor to a subconscious experience.

This is the state where multiple ideas become a group of paintings or a large collection of words connecting things I wasn't even aware I was feeling or thinking. There is little or no need to think of words or develop a painting. This is where the story writes itself or the painting becomes on its own.

I don't remember any of the words Ive written or realize why I chose a certain color in a painting or technique, everything is created as if it were already finished before. I have often think that my hands could paint without my body in this state as the painting process is so natural and so beyond my own awareness.

Poetry tends to connect so many aspects of a week or a month, things that were just captured as snapshots find their way into my writing. Metaphors and Simile connect that which is not logically connected and nuance means everything.

This state can be exhausting and usually precedes a bit of depression as the brain works out all its stored ideas and makes sense of them, I believe this is why many creatives experience depression and anxiety, we are touching parts of the brain that not everyone can access. It can be a daunting task but one that can be handled with knowledge and understanding of the process.

My next post will be about handling that feeling of depression and anxiety while still maintaining a feeling of joy in the act of creation. I am writing a book about the subject and this can be considered a precursor to the book.

Do you have other aspects of creativity or have you experienced the aspects I've described, do you have other aspects you deal with differently? I would love to hear other creatives thoughts and ideas on the states of creativity.