To be fair, the most popular and well documented form of creativity remains painting; and it’s not new either. Humans have been painting since the Upper Paleolithic Age using earth and plant extracts all the way to the present using oil, acrylic, pastels and watercolors. Painting techniques have only become more sophisticated since then and extensive learning methods are employed with all age groups of aspirant artists.

Just to form an initial picture of what the various art forms entail, lets list the various types: animation, architecture, assemblage, calligraphy, ceramics, computer, religious, conceptual, artistic design, drawing, folk, graffiti, graphic, illuminated manuscript, illustration, mosaic, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, stained glass, tapestry and video. Phew…that’s one heavy duty list…and it’s nowhere close to being complete!

People excelling in all these art forms have a strong understanding of the basic components of art which are line, form, shape, texture, space, value and color. The building blocks of art are made up of these components combined with design principles.

One of the most important functions of creativity in recent years is to use it as a tool to shape young minds enabling them to embrace their inherent creative skills. Institutions of practical creative learning are springing up all around us which address the growing chasm in innovative thinking among children. Ingenious techniques to understand creative approaches to problem solving are springing up every day.

So what are some of the conceptual methods to direct the younger generations towards creative thinking?

Some of the most effective programs used today include cognitive and emotional functioning. These enable a deeper understanding of self as well as surroundings in children.

Introduction of real world problems to come up with creative solutions.

Breaking down teachable skills such an innovativeness and resourcefulness into sub parts and focusing on enhancing individual traits.

Programs such as Design Thinking, Mind Mapping and visual Note taking which require active participation to bring about real time solutions to art based problems.

The Osborne-Parnes model: Includes 6 steps, each involving a divergent thinking pattern to challenge ideas and then convergent thinking to narrow down exploration. The steps are:

Mess-finding: Identify a goal or objective. Fact-finding: Gathering data. Problem-finding: Clarifying the problem. Idea-finding: Generating ideas. Solution-finding: Strengthening and evaluating ideas. Acceptance-finding: Plan of action for implementing ideas.

Using the Incubation Model: Designed by E. Paul Torrance, it includes 3 stages.

Heightening Anticipation: Make connections between the classroom and the student’s real lives. “Create the desire to know”. Deepen Expectations: Engage the curriculum in new ways. Brainstorming to come up with novel solutions. Keep it going: Continue the thinking beyond the classroom and find ways to extend learning opportunities at home.

Other approaches include using cultural artifacts, establishing creative freedom, allowing space for creativity and encouraging curiosity.

All these methods are gaining a stronghold among parents and teachers in India leading to an increased requirement in such programs for children. Design thinking institutions like Crayomi are making remarkable effort both in adopting classical techniques as well as forming new ones to give their students a wholesome learning experience.

We must look to never dampen the involvement of Creativity & Design in our lives, no matter the age group. Only then can we ensure that the future generations don’t miss out on this joy either.

– Swati Solke