How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius from Coursera

Despite what you may think, there is evidence that everyone has the capacity to think creatively. This course will teach you to be much less predictable in your thinking and have the confidence and ability to generate unique, workable ideas to solve complex problems. Society impels us to conform to its written and unwritten rules for thinking and behaving in a certain way, which makes too many of the ideas and solutions we generate fairly predictable and ineffective.

The first part of this course is about you. I want to convince you that you were once insanely creative and explain forces around you caused you to lose most of that ability. If you think you are already plenty creative, then know that you're not as creative as you could be and, conversely, if you believe you don't have a single creative bone in your body, I will do my best to convince you you're wrong and share ways you can get your high level of creativity back.

Asking you to think back on some of the societal forces that negatively impacted your upbringing may be hard to hear, but it’s important to understand these often unseen forces so you can do something to counteract them.

The second part of the course is for learning several tried and true brainstorming and problem-solving "tools" you can use that will help you be your most creative self.

Please note: Portions of this course may include readings, media, and discussion around topics based on emotional experiences from your youth. The title of any element that may be a trigger will be indicated with a "TW".

What's inside

Syllabus

How You Once Had, But Lost, Your Best Creative Self

This week we’ll look at what creativity is and isn’t and I’ll explain how several creativity-related terms like ‘imagination’, ‘innovation’ and ‘incubation’. Creativity isn’t something that only applies to artistic endeavors. When businesses are looking for help coming up with creative solutions to their complex challenges, I don’t think they’re searching for oil painters! I’ll explain how we all had, then lost, all or most of our creative ability. Your best creative self is in you, it’s just buried and needs to come out. (Note: TW = trigger warning)

How to Get Your Most Creative Self Back

This week I'll share things you can do to release and reclaim your buried creativity and get back to doing and thinking things the sorts of creative things you used to do intuitively when you were a kid, but now shy away from. I'll also touch on the beliefs and assumptions you we all make about ourselves that restrict our potential.

Creativity In The Workplace

Here I'll compare a creative and non-creative business culture and explain how you work can crush innovation. Organizations and individuals who adopt a creative, entrepreneurial mindset [aka, an innovative mindset] are much more likely to come up with truly great ideas and workable solutions.

Use Problem-Solving Methods to Solve Complex Problems

Learn about problem-solving methods for tackling complex challenges, ones that seem to have no solution. There are many such methods, and we’ll be focusing on one of the more popular ones in the workplace, Design Thinking, which is a step-by-step problem-solving framework that is based on human centered design, a mindset that involves empathizing with the end-user, the people affected by your solution, to ensure it works for them.

How to Brainstorm GREAT Ideas

I’ll teach you some tried and true brainstorming techniques for coming up with great ideas as well as how brainstorming in groupsworks, and doesn’t. I’ll also touch on a few techniques for organizing and prioritizing all those crazy ideas you came up with!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores creativity with a focus on developing workplace skills, which is highly relevant for those seeking professional growth

Taught by Karl Gude, who is recognized in the industry for his work in creativity

Provides practical strategies for developing creativity, meeting the needs of learners seeking to improve their problem-solving skills

Requires learners to tap into emotionally sensitive memories as part of personal self-discovery

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius with these activities:

Find a mentor

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Connect with an experienced creative professional for guidance and support.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out to potential mentors
Establish a mentoring agreement

Review creativity fundamentals

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Refresh your understanding of creativity basics before starting the course.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Read the article: What is Creativity?
Watch the video: How to Spark Your Creativity
Take the quiz: Test Your Creativity IQ

Learn a brainstorming technique

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Learn a specific brainstorming technique to enhance your creativity.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Watch the tutorial: How to Use the SCAMPER Technique
Practice using the technique with a partner

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Develop a creative project plan

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Create a plan for a creative project that you can work on throughout the course.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Identify a creative problem you want to solve
Brainstorm ideas for a solution
Develop a project timeline and budget
Write a project proposal

Solve creativity puzzles

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Sharpen your creative thinking skills by solving puzzles.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Complete the online puzzle: Lateral Thinking Puzzle
Solve the riddle: What has a neck but no head?
Imagine you are stranded on a desert island. What three items would you want to have with you?

Participate in a creativity workshop

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Attend a workshop led by an expert or experienced creative professional.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Find a local creativity workshop
Attend the workshop
Follow up with the instructor or other participants

Write a blog post about creativity

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Express your understanding of creativity by writing a blog post.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Come up with a topic
Write an outline
Write the blog post
Edit and publish the blog post

Volunteer for a creative organization

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Gain practical experience by volunteering for a creative organization.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Find volunteer opportunities in your area
Choose an organization that aligns with your interests
Apply for the volunteer position
Participate in the volunteer activities

Career center

Learners who complete How to Jumpstart Your Hidden Creative Genius will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers create the concepts and rules for games. They work with artists and programmers to bring their ideas to life. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Creative Director

Creative Directors lead teams of other creative professionals, such as graphic designers and multimedia designers. They help these teams to develop concepts and strategies that are unique and innovative, which can help solve complex problems. This course may be helpful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

UX Designer

UX Designers create the user experience for websites and other digital products. They work with other designers and engineers to ensure that the products are both functional and easy to use. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop concepts and products that optimize function, value, and appearance for both manufacturing and user needs. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Product Designer

Product Designers create and develop new products. They work with engineers and other professionals to ensure that the products are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Multimedia Artist

Multimedia Artists create artwork that combines different media, such as photography, video, and audio. They use their creativity and technical skills to produce works of art that are both visually appealing and meaningful. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

Design Manager

Design Managers oversee the work of designers and other creative professionals. They help to ensure that the designs are consistent with the company's brand and that they meet the needs of the users. This course may be helpful for teaching problem-solving techniques in the context of design, which is directly necessary to the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Manager

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Web Designer

Web Designers create and develop websites. They work with clients to determine the needs of the website and then create a design that meets those needs. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Interior designer

Interior Designers plan, research, and coordinate space for residential and commercial structures, ensuring that the space is functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. This course may be useful in improving creativity and problem-solving skills as well as providing tools that may be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. They work with clients to determine the needs of the space and then create a plan that meets those needs. This course may be useful for teaching problem-solving techniques in the context of landscape architecture, which is directly necessary to the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They work with other departments to ensure that the marketing campaigns are consistent with the company's overall business goals. This course may be useful for teaching problem-solving techniques and the importance of creativity, which are both useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Education Consultant

Education Consultants work with schools and other educational institutions to help them improve their programs and services. They may help to develop new curricula, train teachers, or evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs. This course may be useful for teaching problem-solving techniques that are applicable in educational settings and may provide insights into the impact that creativity and innovation can have on education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Business Analyst

Business Analysts study an organization's inefficiencies and help decide how to improve them. They study existing processes and find pain points that may require solving, and then help come up with solutions that may increase profitability, efficiency, or customer satisfaction. This course may be useful for teaching problem-solving techniques and the importance of creativity, which are both useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with clients to determine the needs of the application and then create a solution that meets those needs. This course may be useful in teaching problem-solving techniques and the importance of creativity, which are both useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer