When I was younger, I often think of creativity as
decorating too much on things. It is
putting too much design on what is being adorned. So, when our teacher in elementary or even in high school asked us
to be ‘creative’ with our projects, I tend to ‘design’ my projects with
glitters, feathers, laces, etc.
But, then, I realized, being creative is not about
that. I began to be more attracted to
simpler things, and that for me is more creative. With that, I eventually ‘design’ my projects
in a less elaborative manner.
Now, as we start our class on COM207.3, and when we viewed
the documentary ‘Objectified,’ my idea of creativity become even more
profound. It is now clearer to me that
creativity is not about the decorations.
But, it is about how a thing is designed to perform its function.
Based on the documentary, everything is designed according to use. So, designers should have the 'beat' of their market. They have to design based on how they think their audience may be using their products. With this, they research. They, sometimes, even immersed with their market to feel how their audience may accept their design. It is also mentioned in the documentary to instill emotion in the innovated products for the market to be even more inspired by the products.
This commercial notion of designing marketable products made me relate it to development works. In development works, development practitioner should have a very good idea of how the end-users act, move, decide and even feel. Why? This is to package the 'development message' into which the end-users may use effectively.
Because of this, creativity, for me now, becomes an important concept for me. At first, I just see it as an element that can only spice up or beautify things. Yes, I misinterpreted creativity. Now I understand that it is more of creating something to solve a problem. It is designing, based on problems found in the society to solve a future problem, as mentioned in the documentary.
With this, as a development communication education mentor, I will do my best to enhance my creativity. I always believe that I am not creative. But, I think, it is time for me to think about this. I always take creativity for granted, only to realize that this is an important idea in delivering change to the society. Thanks to the documentary, I even have a clearer view of it. And, I know, it would be clearer as I continue the COM207.3 course. :)
i used to do that too way back in elementary. mas pansin pa yung design kesa sa content. i guess that's what we do when we are overexcited with one thing :)i like the point on immersing oneself to get what the consumers want cause its applicable to a lot of industries, not only in creative and designs :) - r mosquera
TumugonBurahinCreativity is often misunderstood. Just like you, when our teacher in grade school asked us to be creative in doing our projects or homework, I would usually embellish mine with lots of glitters, feathers, laces, etc. for them to look appealing and impressive. That was the meaning of creativity for me then. Until I became older and discovered that it is not all about embellishments and adornments. The film educates us that creativity is about creating something beautiful but would serve a useful purpose for its users.# -Volts D.
TumugonBurahinI'm like you. I have this thing for over designing everything. My room colour is the perfect example! Before it had floral wallpaper on it, but I eventually got sick with the design and decided to change the colour. I had it repainted to this yellow and blue stripe design. Haha! There's this thing with colour that gets me.:)
TumugonBurahinJust like designers who continuously search for anything innovative, I feel that consumers are like that too. We constantly look for designs or products that are new, most of the time, designs that would help us live a more convenient life. And that's the very essence of design, the product should be sustainable and should be user centered. It should make our lives easier. Without the product's ability to build relationships with its customers, then I think the ones who designed it may not be regarded as successful. Design is really just about taking a product from a warehouse and finding it in a place where its features and functionalities are maximised.:)
Thanks guys for your comments! :)
TumugonBurahinYes, this is a realization that creativity is something that should not be taken for granted. It could be one of the most important elements that a work should have. And, right ms joan pasagui, designing is all about features and functionalities. :)
This is my second try in commenting on your page. Why is it I'm having problems in commenting?! Hahaha. Oh well, that's what we call ignorance. :))
TumugonBurahinWe all have something in common... Our concept of "creative" has been based on how our gradeschool and high school teachers defined it. Back then, when our teachers tell us, "be creative!", it means your written piece should be designed by burning its edges or your projects should be packaged in a one of a kind design. Now, our concept of creativity changed. From a definition that is only focused to aesthtics, it became aesthtics with efficiency. I wonder how kids these days define "creative". Hmmm. :)
hahaha! I, as well, had a hard time commenting to others' blogs. Don't worry. I have the same experience as yours heheh.. I just used to accept other's opinion. Maybe, that's why. :)
BurahinMaybe the common conception of creativity is just the art itself. We are bounded by too much idealism that we tend to be artsy and self-confessed that we are creative. Creativity is not solely on the art side of the things we do, it also on the usage or the functionality. As mentioned on top, I am also a victim of art subjects when I was a lil kid because I tend to use a lot of materials that my work is over decorated. At the end of day, maybe it is on how we personally define creativity and how we can able to use it.
TumugonBurahin