Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 27th April 2010 | 6 comments
We all got to play with crayons when we were little kids. But as we grew up, our teachers and our parents took them away or talked us out of using them - instead, we had to learn 'serious' and 'sensible' stuff. We (mostly) turned away from our creative, right-brained way of looking at the world, knuckled down, did what was expected and worked hard. In doing so, gradually we put away the things of childhood, crayons included.
You can take your crayons back.
It's not about coloured scribble, though - I am talking about creative thinking for grownups, using techniques and tips to tap into the right brain, to develop your ability to do truly innovative thinking. The really good news is that you don't have to swap the serious and sensible stuff for the creativity - you can add creative thinking to your toolkit, and it will complement and enhance all those business techniques and hard skills you've already developed. It's about using your whole brain at work - and in life.
However, if the reference to coloured scribble in the last paragraph sounds appealing, I heartily recommend that you go out and buy yourself some crayons, and ENJOY. Any crayons are great, but my current passion is for the type known as Crayola Twistables, which feel amazing and cover the paper in this glossy, smear-free slick of colour. Every time I bring them out for clients to use, they are hooked - on the process and the crayons. Finally, I have found something truly more-ish that has no calories!
A final reminder: Creative thinking is not just for people in ad agencies and architects, everyone can use it. In fact, these changing times are a brilliant opportunity for people and businesses to use creative thinking not just to adapt and survive, but also to flourish. AGSM's The Leader magazine wrote recently,'Innovation - it's not just a word to be bandied about. The economy is forcing us to get creative. Innovation could be just what we need and it could be very good for business.'
So, what will you draw?
Tags: thinking, creativity, play
This one really resonated, Joanna. I'm currently proofing some education materials. I have to actually do the modules (with the mindset of a child student) while simultaneously proofing the materials (as an adult copywriter). It's fascinating but schizophrenic work.
Anyway, one module demanded that I construct coloured diagrams. I ferreted around in my cupboard and found an old, old box of pencils that hadn't been touched for over 30 years!
In the box was a pencil sharpener. It was so weird. I got a real kick out of sharpening them all. As I did, I saw some of the opposite ends had been shaved to take my surname - scrawled in my childhood hand - against loss in the classroom.
It was quite a trip. And when it came to actually using the colours, everything you said was true.
So there you go! Thanks for the memories. Best regards, P. :)
Thanks Paul, what an interesting story. (I'm blown away that you still have your pencils from school...). It just shows that we may put away childish things, and shut off our childish self, but somewhere in the recesses of mind and memory, they are just waiting to be invited out again to play.
Crayons, clay and candy.
When I set up a room to conduct a creative session of any kind, I immediately engage the 'child' in the participants by giving them a 'blank' name tent -- the table already littered with a stream of crayons and candy -- and tell them to creatively represent their name on the tent.
The Playdoh is only sometimes used. It's a throwback to a lesson I learned from an instructor once about how when we engage all our senses we tap more of our creativity -- so I encourage them to simply knead Playdoh in their hands as they think through a problem -- making something out of the Playdoh is optional. I also use my props as 'giveaways' -- including a set of Mr. Sketch Scented Markers -- the giveaways are established at the beginning of the session with questions that draw out personal details about the group ... the most school-aged children, etc.
For even just basic meetings where I'm not 'engaging' others in activities, I have my own 'kit' of colorful artifacts that go with me to each meeting.
[It's hardly a wonder I was so thrilled to find your blog.]
Paula, thanks. It's great to find someone else who uses playdoh/plasticine. All my participants get a bag with plasticine, pipe cleaners, textas, paddlepop sticks - and lots more!
(But I love the tents and the candy - I may even weave them in to my stuff,,,)
I like to combine relaxation to trigger creative flow.
I lie on the floor and relax my body in a way I have developed and trained over years, this will then relax the mind and allow creativity to float to the surface and have some tools to capture it. The crayons will surely be of great help.
And - it's fun!
Then you "only" have to learn to use a structured process to capture and focus the creativity. That's where coaching is very important.
Thanks for this, Astrid. I totally agree, relaxation is very important. I often find a walk outside loosens up my mind as well.