Creative Inspiration Can't Be Systematic?

The lie that creative inspiration can't be systematic is an excuse for not working. It is easily debunked by using any one of the many techniques for creating new ideas and creatively solving problems. One such example follows.

Using An Idea-Generating Word List

Using a word list is one of the easiest ways to create new ideas.

Several times now I have seen giant chairs. The most recent one was in a bar, being used by the host of a trivia contest. It was eight feet tall. Someone made and sold that chair, but how did he think of the idea? The simplest way would be to look at things and ask "what if it was bigger?"

That is the essence of the modifying word list. You look at things and ask, "What if it was..." and insert a word from the list. To show the technique in action, I just looked around the room and chose a table as a test subject. I look at the word list and ask "What if it was..."

Bigger... If it had leaves that spread from a central pivot, it could be opened up easily into a larger surface, like a hand fan opened horizontally.

Movable... The obvious idea here is to put wheels on it. Another possibility is a line of super light tables that can be carried from room to room easily.

Cheaper... I once used an old door as a table. Are there cheap and available materials that could be used to make doors?

Interesting... Make tables that are covered in family photos (or anything else you want). The top would then be encased in acrylic. Easy to clean too!

Divided... Four small tables that can be used on their own or connected into one large table?

Subtracted from... Take away the legs and it would be easier to clean under. Could it hang from the ceiling?

Hotter... A warming tray built into the center of the table might be convenient for keeping meals hot.

Happier... Use colors that evoke positive emotions. Make cartoon-covered tables for day-care centers.

Take notes as you do this, and develop or discard the ideas later. Most words won't give you useful ideas, but don't dismiss them without a few seconds of thought. Creative solutions can begin with unrelated thoughts. "What if it was boring?" may seem useless, but then it could lead to the development of a line of furniture based purely on function: simple and cheap.

The Modifying Word List

The list below is a basic one. Use it as is, but remember that there are hundreds of idea-generating words you could add to it. Any adjectives, descriptive phrases, or words that can change your perspective can be potentially useful.

What if it was...

larger
smaller
farther away
closer
sooner
later
easier
more difficult
softer
harder
poorer
richer
wetter
drier
higher
lower
longer
shorter
white
black
certain
uncertain
newer
older
calmer
more exciting
boring
interesting
more casual
more serious
divided
combined
subtle
extravagant
more common
less common
faster
slower
better
worse
hotter
colder
added to
subtracted from
left alone
hopeless
stickier
happier
relaxed
imaginary
cheaper
more expensive
nothing

For dozens more ways to create ideas and solve problems creatively, see my e-book "Problem Solving Power." Use the link here:
http://www.99reports.com/problem-solving.html

99 Lies | Creative Inspiration Can't Be Systematic?