Can Creativity Be Taught? Exercises to Be More Creative

Think about something you are really good at. Are you a fantastic cook, a great pianist, or perhaps you’re really good at playing volleyball? Chances are, you aren't born amazing at these things. You learned them over time by practising and trying new things. The same is true for creativity. You can enhance it through exercises and practice.

Creativity is often seen as a natural ability that some people are born with, and others are not. However, recent studies have shown that creativity can be taught and improved with practice.

This blog post will explore some exercises you can do to increase your creativity. The best part is that these exercises aren't just good for creativity – they're also great for improving problem-solving skills and critical thinking. And who doesn't want that?

So whether you want to become a graphic designer or just want to be more inventive in your everyday life, keep reading for tips on boosting your creativity.

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1. Brainstorming

Brainstorming blends lateral thinking with a laidback, informal approach to problem resolution. It pushes people to come up with ideas and thoughts that may appear weird at first. Some of these concepts can be developed into creative, innovative solutions to problems, while others can create new ones. This helps people become unstuck by "jolting" them out of their usual thought patterns.

This is a classic creativity exercise that can be used in any situation. When you're feeling stuck, take some time to brainstorm ideas. Write down as many ideas as you can, no matter how crazy they seem. The goal is to get the creative juices flowing and to come up with anything and everything that could potentially work. You can always edit and refine your ideas later.

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2. Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping is a type of visual thinking that allows you to explore a subject or idea by employing phrases that trigger associations in the brain, resulting in new thoughts. Visual thinking is well-known for improving our memory, productivity, and creativity.

This is similar to brainstorming, but it's a bit more organized. With mind mapping, you start with a central idea and then brainstorm ideas that branch off of that main idea. This can be a great way to visualize your ideas and see how they all fit together.

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3. The 99% Hardwork

A century ago, Thomas Edison pondered what motivates invention, or as we now call it, innovation. He famously said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration," entailing that creativity entails more than just amazing ideas. From personal experience, Edison recognized that methodical trial-and-error experimentation proved successful.

This is often quoted by people who have a brilliant idea but realize they'll have to put in a lot of time and effort to build something or achieve a goal.

As for graphic designers, creativity can be improved by constant and persistent practice.

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4. The 10-Minute Rule

This exercise is all about taking small steps. Set a timer for 10 minutes and spend that time working on your project. It doesn't matter if you don't get very far in those 10 minutes – the goal is to get started and keep the momentum going. Once the timer goes off, you can take a break or keep going if you're on a roll.

The 10-minute rule works because it puts you in motion. It concentrates on the output rather than the outcome. It redirects your focus from what you want to accomplish to what you can do and control.

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5. The SCAMPER Method

This acronym stands for Subtract, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, and Reverse.

SCAMPER is a fast, simple, and direct method of brainstorming ideas. You utilize the tool by using the seven prompts to ask questions about existing ideas. These questions will assist you in coming up with innovative ideas and refining existing ones.

It's a great way to brainstorm ideas by looking at a project from different angles. For each letter of the acronym, think of how you can change your project. For example, if you're working on a design project, you could eliminate specific colors or reverse the order of the elements.

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6. The 5 Whys

This is a problem-solving technique that can also be used for creativity. When you're stuck, ask yourself "why" five times. For example, if you're trying to develop a new marketing campaign, you could start by asking why you need a new campaign. Put simply, asking "why" forces you to think about things from different perspectives and really dig deep for solutions. You’re more likely to figure out what to do next once you keep digging deeper and asking “why.” 

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Conclusion

Hopefully, these exercises will help you be more creative in your work. Remember, creativity is all about thinking outside of the box and coming up with new and innovative ideas.

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So, is creativity something that can be taught? Absolutely! And the best way to learn is by doing. Be persistent and consistent in your practice, and you'll see a noticeable improvement in your creative output.

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If you're looking for a little more structure, try out some of the exercises we shared above. And if you're a graphic designer, sign up for free and improve your creativity with Dzyn Space. With our easy-to-use DIY graphic design tool, you can create stunning projects in minutes.

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Sign up for free today and see how Dzyn Space can help you unleash your creativity. 

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