Lecture 2- Development of Creative Thought and Structure in Illustration and Graphic Art

Remaining Creative and Revitalizing Ideas..

Creativity is a thinking process which is aimed at originality, generating new ideas and finding solutions to solve old problems. Being creative has a huge advantage as it makes unusual associations and finds unique ways of looking at things from each individuals own perspective. Creativity breaks rules, takes risks, is imaginative and flexible in its thinking and has a playful attitude. Visual communicators always push themselves to think out the box and produce something which nobody has come up with before. This creates originality and unique style of work which is a new change to the world of design.

"Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learnt"

 Principle 2: Getting rid of assumptions...
Visual communicators should approach problems with a open mind. This is because in order to communicate effectively any negative assumptions should be cleared from the mind, in order for you to think fresh all over again and assist problems. Many problems such as editorial design can be directly related to text or content or even to specific requirements such as fashion items or products. This is where the creative mind comes in to great use, as it has the capability to allow you to see things from a different perspective.

• Similes look at the likeness between two things which may seem to have a connection
• Metaphors compare the two objects and enhance the connection to be more powerful and direct
• Analogy compares two totally different things which can be similar in some sort of way such as resemblance between things which; would otherwise be unlike

An example of this would be the original design of Harry Becks tube map of London Underground. This design has been looked at by other designers a variety of different times and throughout the years, designers have implied the same sort of style into their own way to revitalize it and create something new which has not been created before.

The original design of Harry Becks map of London Underground.

 This map is an inspiration of Harry Becks design and has been created by the Metropolitan cardiac authority in a very clever way.

Another inspiration by the same company. One of my favourite designs of the map.

Principle 3: Restating Problems

As an artist or a designer it is often very beneficial to have the confidence to imaginatively challenge problems and look at them from different angles in order to solve them. If we change the rules and look at visual problems from a different perspective; finding solutions to problems will be much more interesting and fun.

The main purpose of regularly reviewing your ideas and approaches is to keep up to date with what you are doing and to also give yourself more options.

The best way would be to jot down any new ideas that you have (doesn't matter if they are good or bad) this way you don’t have to worry about evaluating them or anything, but you can look through them after and see which work best. You could also surf the web and look through books or magazines in order to let your creative thinking flow. Making a list is also helpful, as you will be able to visually see the best ideas and imply them into your work. The bigger the list the more ideas you have. The more the better!

Designers like to think out of the box, meaning they will consider things which are not necessarily related to the approach you are taking. However opening an approach from a new direction which is not obvious will open a door and trigger more new ideas.