What is creativity? 5 things to think about

So i'm sure you might be wondering what is creativity? well obviously its not an easy definition. here's 5 questions/statements to get your juices flowing and get you to think about what you think this elusive devil is?

1. According to William Plomer “creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected”.

2. Oscar Wilde observed that “The imagination merely imitates.  It is the critical spirit that creates.”

3. If creativity is the ability to ‘think outside the box’ what constitutes ‘the box’?

4. The postmodern affinity with nostalgia (e.g. the revival of the Fiat 500, the resurrections of the Honey Monster, Tetley Tea Folk and the Milky Bar Kid and the retro rebranding of Virgin Airways) has meant that creativity has been increasingly superseded by reference to the past.  Evaluate the diminishing role of creativity in the context of postmodern nostalgia.

5. “Notwithstanding all the rhetoric and attention in corporate corridors and boardrooms all over the world, lack of innovation remains a key problem in business today.  One reason for this is the continued failure to systematically manage for creativity.”   (C.D. Shepherd, 2010)
How and why do organisations fail to structure for creativity.

This stuff is adapted from questions for final year university essays. Think about it, there's some interesting stuff in there.

Becoming a Creative God-The Undergrad edition...

How to become an Art Director

Traditionally most Art Directors have studied an Art-based BA degree such as ‘Graphics’ or ‘Design’. Typically these sorts of degrees often have Advertising based units within them.

To achieve entry onto a degree course such as this students will most likely have studied Art at A Level  or a Art BTEC, and then gone on to take a one year ‘Art Foundation’ course. It is here where students produce a portfolio on which their BA course entry will be judged. For a list of Foundation courses please see http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/beforeyouapply/artanddesign/foundationcourses/

A BA degree typically lasts 3 years with some including a  4th year in working in industry. These years can be a useful time to get Advertising based experience, contacts and refine their portfolio for a possible MA admittance or employment straight after graduation.

How to become a Copy Writer

Most copy writers tend to have studied English at A Level and a 3 year BA such as English or Creative writing before going on to do a ‘Creative Advertising’ or ‘Art Direction and ‘Copywriting’ MA. However an English degree is not essential; many copywriters come from degrees as diverse as Law and Biochemistry. But to gain entry on to a Postgraduate course you must display relevant academic and professional experience.(Source:IPA.com)