Invent Creativity

Posted by admin at July 16th, 2008

Our culture is extremely visual. Everything from TV, advertising, movies, magazines, architecture, interior design, video games, im sure you get the point…

Visual Literacy is defined “as the ability to understand communications composed of visual images as well as being able to use visual imagery to communicate to others.”

In order to become visually literate, one must practice expressing their thoughts and ideas in visual forms such as drawings (encoding) and translating/understanding the meaning of visual imagery (decoding).

Visual literacy isn’t always easy. In fact some artists make their visual work difficult to understand, and only those truly observant will understand. Show me a photograph, and there is an excellent chance I will be able to interpret the photographers intentions only because of my years of practice and dedication.

Benefits of Visual Literacy

·      Increase of Creative Capacity

·      Enhanced Observational Skills

·      Improves visual represented comprehension (charts, graphs..etc.)

·      Improves Capacity to Develop Powerful Concepts and Solutions

·      Enhances Ability to Think Simplicity

Sure visuals can be complicated, but those that have the most powerful concept are the simplest in form. If you are out to problem solve and need to understand the concept of simplicity, visual literacy is a great way of getting there.

Take a good look at the above image. I shot that image while I was in Wisconsin. I used special lens filters on my camera just to get my intention across visually. Any ideas on what I was trying to portray? Leave a comment and lets see what everyone comes up with. It’s a good starting point.

Those who are creative tend to have a high capacity of visual literacy. Unfortunately many major institutions other than design schools have tested visual literacy, however, I am big believer in Visual Literacy. It helps Problem Solve, and problems are a large part of everyday life. So why not emphasize something so important to everyday life?

Cheers

Mitesh Solanki

Posted by admin at July 15th, 2008

Lets take a minute and think about creative talent. First off, it is fair to say that it is a rare talent. Secondly, it is difficult to find the perfect blends of creativity and logic. Lastly, creative’s have a much different problem solving habit and therefore are wired to think much differently than most of the average population (another reason why creative’s tend to score poorly on standardized test).

Now as creative’s engage in companies in an effort to do what they do best (problem solve), that talent can go from an A to an F in matter of a couple months. I have seen a high turnaround rate in Agency culture, corporations, and most of all any company that seeks to hire creative talent to further its business.

Therefore here is my message to all executives, directors, managers, or anyone who may get the opportunity to work with a creative individual. Bare in mind their job is difficult, that is why you hired them. Also note that thinking simple is far more difficult than thinking complicated. Creative’s don’t enjoy taking on stress, in fact it hurts their job performance. Creativity requires fresh original thinking, which comes from the subconscious. If the subconscious is not calm, it cannot function the way it is meant to function.

Take it from me, give them a culture that they can thrive in. Spacious room, spontaneous activities throughout the day (stop everyone from working and start a soul train line), keep them calm and focused. If you go with the pressure and stress route, you will notice a high turn around rate and lack of performance (what a waste of a payroll).

Now for all those who are thinking, well we have deadlines… Well I too run a successful agency, and my business partner and I hardly ever run into the stress avenue and plan a strategy to avoid it. Plan your projects carefully and you will achieve. It starts with your attitude. There is a reason why Target has the best employee efficiency. They too have adopted this strategy…

Mitesh Solanki

Posted by admin at July 8th, 2008

Every company CEO, COO, President, VP, Director (you get the point), I have spoken with always mentions one thing, “Making this company profitable is not the hard part. The hardest part is getting the rest of the team to think intuitively.”

Lets break down what intuition really is. The dictionary presents it as “The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.”

Intuition is an interesting concept. Why would you want your employees to act without true reasoning or factual data to prove it will work, isn’t that dangerous? Personally I believe the creative process alone is dangerous. When presented a problem, there are multiple solutions, some better than others. However, identifying which ones is the correct path quickly without conscious reasoning is the difficult part.

Here is the secret:

1.    Gut Instinct

We all have a gut instinct; some learn to listen to it while others choose to ignore it. Learn to feel what is right and what is wrong. It’s human nature to just have a hunch. Like they say first instinct is usually correct so why question it? Thinking intuitively is what makes great leaders. It is a way to make quick decisions, so learn to listen to your gut instinct and stop ignoring it.

2.    Leave the Fear at HOME!!!

Lets face reality, we are all afraid to take certain risks. But when you have that gut feeling telling you what the correct solution is, take the risk and run with it. It’s your intuition so use it to guide you when your lost.

3.    Forget about Methodology for Once

If everyone followed the rules laid out by other innovators, there would be no innovation. Creativity is new born solutions, things people have not thought about. So isn’t it time we all start innovating?

It all starts by thinking intuitively (your gut instinct minus the fear).

Happy Intuition

Mitesh Solanki