What is creativity? No, seriously, we want to know.

For something that’s apparently so important for people, businesses and the economy, we surprisingly don’t have an agreed definition of what creativity is. Dictionaries say one thing, academics say another and the public are left thinking it’s got something to do with kids and crayons or Tracey Emin or something.

Next week, I’m going to start sharing some of the theories of what creativity is and the different forms it takes. But before that, I’m asking for your help. It’ll just take a minute or so. I promise!

We want your understanding, not someone else’s. So don’t consult a dictionary or be tempted to do a Google search in the next tab. Just write what you think creativity is in the form below. Then select the appropriate buttons and hit submit.

Don’t overthink it – just go for it!

There! That wasn’t too difficult, was it?

If you want to see some of the previous responses, you can have a look here. (Sadly, the link in the embedded form up there doesn’t seem to work.)

This is part of a small research project I’m doing. Sometime near the end of the year, I’m going to be taking the results and trying to find interesting patterns. And, of course, I’ll be sharing it all right here.

So now that you’ve done the survey, I’d love it if you could share it with others. The more responses we get, the better the results will be. Just hit the appropriate share button and spread the word.

We’ll have more surveys and interactive stuff coming soon. We hope you’ll join in.

https://openforideas.org/blog/2016/10/25/what-is-creativity-no-seriously-we-want-to-know/https://i2.wp.com/openforideas.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/brain_question.png?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1https://i2.wp.com/openforideas.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/brain_question.png?resize=150%2C150&ssl=12016-10-25T08:56:56+00:00Dave BirssExperimentacademic,creativity,definition,dictionary,survey,understanding

For something that’s apparently so important for people, businesses and the economy, we surprisingly don’t have an agreed definition of what creativity is. Dictionaries say one thing, academics say another and the public are left thinking it’s got something to do with kids and crayons or Tracey Emin or...

Dave BirssDave Birssdavebirss@gmail.comAdministratorDave is obsessed with creativity. He's been a musician, illustrator, stand-up comedian, poet, radio DJ, television presenter and advertising creative director. He also wrote A User Guide to the Creative Mind. Now he runs Open for Ideas and helps individuals and companies become more creative. You can find him speaking at conferences all over the world. And sharing his thinking in boardrooms, universities and dimly-lit pubs.Open for Ideas

Dave Birss

Founder and Editor at OpenForIdeas.org

Dave is obsessed with creativity. He's been a musician, illustrator, stand-up comedian, poet, radio DJ, television presenter and advertising creative director. He also wrote A User Guide to the Creative Mind.
Now he runs Open for Ideas and helps individuals and companies become more creative.
You can find him speaking at conferences all over the world. And sharing his thinking in boardrooms, universities and dimly-lit pubs.