Creativity and the design process

Date
1993-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: In order to examine the role of creativity in the design process, design was defined as creative problem-solving. Problem-solving was defined using a model of Koberg and Bagnall (1974). They divided the problem-solving process into various stages. These stages being acceptance, analysis, definition, ideation, ( selection, implementation and evaluation. Creativity was defined regarding the levels of creativity, as proposed by Taylor (1968), and regarding the nature of the product as discussed by several authors. The emphasis being on the creative product being original and appropriate. Some of the factors that are considered to affect creativity were examined. These factors being blocks, chance, the need to explore and relevant skills i.e. practical and intellectual. In looking at intellectual skills the difference between convergent and divergent thinking was examined. The importance of di vergent thinking was stressed. The various phases that the creative process passes through was then defined. The phases defined were interest, preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. I then discussed the link between creativity and problem-solving as I see it. My practical work was discussed in two ways. Firstly a documentation regarding the development of the oval shaped jewellery that I've made, followed by an analysis of a journal (diary) that I'd kept, recording my creati ve problem-sol ving process. This process was analysed using the models of problem-solving and creativity as discussed previously. The conclusion arrived at stressed the importance of divergent thinking in creative problem-solving. It was also noted how difficult it was to separate the different phases of the creative and the problem-solving processes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten einde die rol wat kreatiwiteit in die ontwerpsproses te kon ondersoek was ontwerp gedefinieer as kreatiewe probleem oplossing. 'n Model van Koberg en Bagnall (1974) is gebruik om die probleemoplossings-proses te definieer. Hulle het die proses wat 'n mens volg tydens probleemoplossing in verskeie fases verdeel nl. aanvaarding, analiese, definisie, ideevorming, seleksie, implementering en evaluasie. Kreatiwiteit is gedefinieer volgens die vlakke van kreatiwiteit soos voorgestel deur Taylor (1968), en ook na aanleiding van die kwaliteit van die kreatiewe produk nl. oorspronklik en toepaslikheid. Faktore wat beskou word as invloede kreatiwiteit is ook ondersoek. Versperrings, toevalligheid, die drang vir eksplorasie en relevante vaardighede nl. prakties en intellektueel word as sulke faktore beskou. In terme van intellektuele vaardighede was die verskil tussen konvergente en di vergente denke ondersoek. Die belangrikheid van divergent denke is beklemtoon. Verskeie voorgestelde fases waardeur die kreatiewe proses gaan was ook gedefinieer nl. belangstelling, voorbereiding, inkubasie, illuminasie en verifikasie. My praktiese werk was op twee maniere bespreek. Eerstens het ek die ontwikkeling van my ovaalvormige juweliersware gedokumenteer. Ek het ook 'n joernaal (dagboek) van my ontwerpsproses gehou en dit is ookge-analiseer. Vir die analise het ek verwys na die modelle van kreatiwiteit en probleemoplossing soos reeds bespreek. Ten einde was die belangrikheid van di vergente denke in kreatiewe probleemoplossing beklemtoon. Daar was ook melding gemaak van hoe moeilik dit is om die fases van die verskeie prosesse van mekaar te skei.
Description
Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1993.
Keywords
Creative ability, Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.), Design, Dissertations -- Art
Citation