According to Oxford dictionary creativity means the use of skill and imagination to produce something new or to produce art.
Creativity is a term that is often thrown around but not always clearly understood. At its most basic level, creativity refers to the ability to create something new and imaginative.
We often recognize creativity in something that exhibits certain characteristics:
- Has aspects that are unique and new
- Enables a person to have an experience evoking one or more emotions (e.g. wow, laughter, sadness, happiness, excitement).
- Captures the imagination and inspires people of how the universe could be or what they can do to become a better version of themselves
- Bring simplicity to a complicated problem
- Surprises others
- Can be interpreted in several ways
The creative output does not have to have all the above to be considered creative. The degree of creativity is how intense is the level of each criterion and how many of the criteria it hits for the intended audience
But creativity isn't just limited to the arts. While classical art, such as painting, sculpture, and literature, are often seen as the most obvious forms of creative expression, more modern mediums such as digital art, UX design, and even generative AI also can be creative. These forms of creativity use technology and software to create something new and engaging. For example, UX designers work to create a user experience that is both intuitive and aesthetically pleasing.
That being said, one of the great things about creativity is that it's not limited to a certain group of people. Anyone can be creative, and in fact, creativity is often found in unexpected places. Whether it's a student solving a complex math problem in a new way or a stay-at-home parent coming up with a new recipe, creativity can be found in all aspects of life.
For example, a creative sales pitch may use a unique approach to evoke emotions and capture the imagination of potential customers.
Sometimes the creator of a piece may not even realize that they've produced something creative. Or they may be the only consumer of the piece. Regardless, it's still creative work.
There are different types of creativity, including educational, inspirational, and entertainment. Art, entertainment, and literature are usually the most commonly associated with creativity, but creativity can take many forms.
One aspect of creativity that stands out is the ability to bring simplicity to a complicated problem. Creativity can help us see things in a new way and approach problems from a different perspective. It's a skill that can be nurtured and developed, and it starts with defining your own definition of creativity. So whether you're an artist or a scientist, a mentor, or a carpenter start exploring your creativity and see where it takes you.