Introduction to Creative Thinking: Tools for Success from Coursera

Creativity concerns the development of new ideas. Throughout human history, the application of ideas has led to transformations of our daily lives and society. Modern business activity thrives on recently developed ideas, and it is through creativity that we address both challenges and opportunities. In this module, we will help you develop your implicit understanding and skills in creativity. You will be introduced to a series of creativity tools that can be used to augment the ideas you might come up with independently. Specifically, we will develop your skills in list, sticky-note, grid and alphabet brainstorming through an introduction to the principles of the tool, along with examples and an opportunity for you to have a go. A framework called the creativity diamond is used throughout the course to guide which approach to creativity to use and when.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• The principal facets of creativity

• Principles of creativity

• A framework that can be used to guide which approach to creativity to use

• Metrics that can be used in assessing creativity

• The importance of managing our thinking

• How to use and apply list, sticky note, grid and alphabet brainstorming

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Divergent and convergent creativity

• Assessing creativity

• Principles of brainstorming

• List, sticky-note, grid and alphabet brainstorming

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1

In the first week, we focus on the basic principles of creativity and highlight its importance in tackling global challenges. A framework called the Creativity Diamond is introduced that will be used throughout the course to help identify which approach to use for creativity and when.

Week 2

Creativity exists on many levels. There are examples of creativity that influence and transform society. There are also instances in our everyday lives when we come up with an idea to address a challenge or opportunity. This week we will explore some of the definitions and types of creativity, along with an introduction to assessing creativity.

Week 3

This week we will look at an introduction to the brain, the mind, thoughts and memory, thinking and cognition. Consideration of thinking is important as ideas encapsulate a fundamental outcome in creativity. Some approaches to thinking have been identified as helpful in augmenting creativity, and some of these tools and the associated principles are introduced.

Week 4

In this week, we will look at how we can augment our creativity using different methods of brainstorming, a creativity approach that aids the generation of ideas in solving a stated problem. We particularly focus on the application of brainstorming tools, with the aim of enabling you to understand, evaluate and apply different types of brainstorming techniques in your own context.

Week 5

There are a wide range of types of brainstorming. All are based on the principles of quantity breeds quality and suspending judgement of ideas. This week we will introduce two distinctive forms of brainstorming, grid and alphabet. In grid ideas are developed building from an initial concept. In alphabet brainstorming each letter of the alphabet is used as a prompt to illicit several ideas.

Week 6

This week we will consider additional views on creativity and the importance of the person, physiological aspects, process, the environment and the application in creativity. We will explore the divergent and convergent phases common to many creative processes whereby many ideas are explored in a divergent phase, prior to their refinement and filtering in a convergent phase. We will then draw this course to a close with consideration of some general guidance on creativity and illustrating how your learning so far can be applied within the creativity diamond framework.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the principles of creativity and how to apply them in different contexts

Introduces a framework for guiding creativity and when to use different approaches

Explores different types of brainstorming and how to use them effectively

Taught by instructors with expertise in creativity and innovation

Provides opportunities to practice creativity through hands-on exercises and activities

Suitable for learners with various backgrounds and experience levels in creativity

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 Introduction to Creative Thinking: Tools for Success with these activities:

Develop a Creativity Journal

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Keeping a journal can help you capture your creative ideas and track your progress.

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Choose a notebook or journal that you will use specifically for your creative ideas.
Set aside some time each day to write in your journal.
Write down any ideas that come to mind, no matter how small or silly they may seem.

Take an Online Course on Creativity

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Taking an online course can help you learn new creativity techniques and strategies.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Research different online courses on creativity.
Choose a course that fits your learning style and interests.
Complete the course and apply what you have learned to your own work.

Brainstorming Exercises

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These exercises will help you generate new ideas and think more creatively.

Browse courses on Brainstorming

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Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down as many ideas as you can for a given topic.
Review your ideas and select the most promising ones.
Develop your ideas into a more detailed plan.

Six other activities

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Attend a Creativity Workshop

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Attending a workshop can help you learn new creativity techniques and strategies.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Research different creativity workshops in your area.
Choose a workshop that fits your learning style and interests.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Form a Creativity Group

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Working with others can help you generate new ideas and stay motivated.

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Find a group of people who are interested in creativity.
Set up a regular meeting time and place.
Brainstorm ideas and work on creative projects together.

Contribute to an Open Source Creativity Project

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Contributing to an open source project can help you learn new creativity techniques and strategies.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Find an open source creativity project that you are interested in.
Read the project documentation and get familiar with the codebase.
Make a contribution to the project.

Read "Lateral Thinking" by Edward de Bono

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This book provides strategies for looking at problems from different perspectives.

View Six Thinking Hats for Schools and Families on Amazon

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Review the introduction and first chapter to gain an overview of the concept of lateral thinking.
Read the remaining chapters, taking notes on different techniques for generating creative ideas.
Practice using the techniques in your own work.

Develop a Creative Project

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Working on a creative project can help you apply your creativity skills and learn new things.

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Choose a creative project that you are passionate about.
Develop a plan for your project.
Start working on your project and track your progress.
Share your project with others and get feedback.

Mentor a Junior Creative

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Helping others can help you solidify your own understanding of creativity.

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Find a junior creative who is interested in learning more about creativity.
Set up a regular meeting time and place.
Share your knowledge and experience with the junior creative.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Creative Thinking: Tools for Success will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Creative Director

Creative Directors are responsible for the overall creative vision of a company or organization. They work with designers, writers, and other creative professionals to create marketing campaigns, branding materials, and other creative content. A strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques is essential for a successful Creative Director. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Product Manager

Product Managers play a crucial role in the development of new products and services. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. A strong understanding of creativity, brainstorming techniques, and metrics for assessing creativity is essential for a successful Product Manager. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

UX Designer

UX Designers focus on the user experience of products and services. They work to create products that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. A strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques is essential for a successful UX Designer. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote products and services to target audiences. They need to be able to think creatively to come up with new and innovative marketing ideas. This course can help you develop the creativity and brainstorming skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Web Designer

Web Designers create and build websites. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new website designs and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and support to businesses and organizations. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers design and develop products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new product ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new business solutions and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. A strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques is essential for a successful Graphic Designer. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new business ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful entrepreneur.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Architect

Architects design and build buildings and other structures. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new design ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new software ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new data-driven solutions. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Interior designer

Interior Designers design the interior spaces of buildings. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new design ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers design clothing and accessories. They need to have a strong understanding of creativity and brainstorming techniques to come up with new design ideas and solve problems. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer