Visual and Creative ThinkingWhat we learned from Peter Pan and Willy Wonka

Kelsey Ruger, Pop Labs

There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be.

Willy Wonka

creativity: \cre·a·tiv·i·ty\ n. the ability to use imagination to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create

meaningful new ideas, forms, methods.

visual thinking: \vis·u·al thin·king\ adj. the practice of using pictures to solve problems, think through issues,

and communicate clearly.

Life in the fast lane:In an increasingly fast paced world we don’t make time for creative activities.

Keeping up with the competition:It’s getting harder to innovate, produce new

ideas and communicate at this pace.

What About Creativity?This can be overwhelming for many professionals

because many of the “standard” we put in place actually limit creative ability and competitiveness.

Wake-up latent childhood abilitiesAs children our world is dominated

by stories, pictures and imagination

Visual and creative thinking techniques can help reawaken natural visual and creative skills in adults

• Learning and removing the myths that prevent creativity• Start using visual and creative thinking

nurturing creative and visual thinking in your organization

First - You Don’t Have To Be An ArtistVisual thinking and creativity aren’t really about drawing. Drawing isn’t what makes it a creative activity.

The Myths of InnovationScott Burken - 2007

The Myths of Creativity

MYTH 1: creativity always comes from an epiphany

MYTH 2: there is always a clear path to creativity

MYTH 3: creativity is the result of the lone innovator

MYTH 4:creativity always results in greatness

well great ideas anyway...

MYTH 5: I’m not creative

MYTH 6: being creative is a waste of time

MYTH 7: creativity is not for adults or people with serious careers.

A Beautiful MindUnderstanding Why These Myths Exist

Beliefs are powerful:The beliefs we have about how the world works often have very emotional origins. These emotions can change how we make decisions, form habits and develop skills.

our need for consistency is stronger than just about any other intrinsic need we have. People will behave in a manner that is consistent with their previously

existing self-concept, even when this behavior is unrewarding to them otherwise.

Prescott Leaky

Do you have any sacred cows?Sometimes an idea loses it’s meaning over time, but isn’t abandoned because of the investment in it’s past. These ideals are often so immune to criticism that those who challenge them are ignored or marginalized.

File Number: 4471239

How do you overcome the power of the creative myths?

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

The chief enemy of creativity is "good" sense.”Pablo Picaso

The di!erence between Peter and the boys at this time was that he knew it was make-believe, while to them make-believe and true were exactly the same thing.

Overcoming the Myths of Creativity

Visual Thinking:Using images to solve problems and communicate

• 80% of the brain is dedicated to visual processing• Visual processing is not new, it’s part of our history• Written language originated from drawing and sketching

Tips for starting visual thinking

Visual Thinking Tip 1:Create an environment for creativity

Visual Thinking Tip 2:Start the habit of drawing

Visual Thinking Tip 3:Create a personal visual library

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From “Mapping Inner Space”by Nancy Margulies, Nusa Maal, and Margaret J. Wheatley

Visual Thinking Tip 4:Create a personal metaphor library

From “Mapping Inner Space”by Nancy Margulies, Nusa Maal, and Margaret J. Wheatley

Visual Thinking Tip 5:Take creative and visual thinking breaks

Visual Thinking Tip 6:Practice Creativity

Visual Thinking Tip 7:Read more "ction literature

Visual Thinking Tip 8:Start a visual thinking school

• Schedule it - Set aside dedicated time• Be holistic - It’s not just drawing, not just brainstorming• Set objectives - What do you intend to learn

• Diamond (Decision)• Spiral (Change in Direction)• Circle (harmony)• Direction (arrow)• Straight• Triangle (Relationship)

• Vertical Lines• Horizontal Lines• Circles• Spirals• Wavy Lines• Jagged Lines• Star (success)

Getting Started: A Basic Visual Thinking Toolkit

Kelsey Rugerkruger@poplabs.com

www.poplabs.comwww.themoleskin.com