There is a science to creativity

The question of creativity and creatives being born or made has been an age long argument; and while any of the divides people fall may have concrete evidence for their sides, I have discovered that there is a way to enhance creativity, or as I call it, there is a science to creativity.

By science, I mean there is a verified path one can take that leads to creativity at the end of the day. There is always a point in every designer’s life or any creative in general, where they have struggles with “creativity”. Doing all things possible to come out with new and unique ideas and it’s not just coming. I’ve been in that state several times, and I have used this hack and it has worked several times.

I remember it was 2020, when I was really searching information about how to become a better designer, and I stumbled on Tola TA Alabi 's Pro-up Masterclass series on YouTube. I can’t exactly remember the episode now, but He said something that has not left me till date.

He said “If you want to create good designs, see good designs”. The funny thing is sometimes, you’ve experienced some things but never really recognise it until you have someone explain it to you, then it begins to make sense.

After then, I’ve found myself in situations that seem as though I was stuck, and all I had to do was just stop the work. And go on looking at designs or apps that I admire.

“Fill your mind with a lot of inspirations”, my friend, Nelson Ogugua said to me when we were working on a project together. I had found myself slipping and trying to settle with what I could just come up with in my mind.

Ever since, before I begin a project or if it seems as though I’m stuck, I go out searching for inspiration everywhere. This is not to copy at all, but there’s a way it just exposes your mind to other people’s creative processes and possibilities you may not be able to think of yourself. I’ve done this a gazillion times, and it has saved me a gazillion times.

Another thing is while you are doing this — exposing your mind, you have to be present in it. In simple language, you have to be observant. Don’t just scroll mindlessly, try to be in the mind of the designer or user. Traditional design education will call it “Empathy”. Which means ignoring your biase and putting yourself in the shoes of the user.

Finally, in the words of Jim Rohn, He says “Don’t be a follower, be a student”. A follower does everything the master says to do, while a student thinks about everything he is told, critiques it and decides whether to follow it or not.

I said this because, while you are expanding your mind with inspiration, don’t copy and paste. There is usually a context. See if it applies to your use case before adapting.

To your growth,

Cheers.