How to make a perfect creative process, in 13 steps

create supposes andwork something with your own hands or by your own means and get it done successfully, being satisfied with the results. This elaboration tends to have a specific meaning and be directed towards a goal or objective, be it solving a specific problem or the artistic expression of the author(s). Sometimes it sounds easier than it ends up being.

In order to do something original and innovative, it is necessary to follow a series of fundamental steps, which configure what is called the creative process.

Carrying out a creative process is not an easy task, since it requires a high amount of effort and motivation. In this article we pretend you can find 13 necessary steps when making an efficient creative process.

• Related article: "The 14 keys to boost creativity"

Steps to follow to carry out a creative process

The creative process is the procedure by which we carry out the resolution of a specific problem or challenge or the elaboration of a certain element. from creativity. Next we will see the guidelines to follow to achieve it.

However, it is important to take into account that, although it may seem that the exposed steps are limited to a specific area such as business, all creative processes follow broadly the same steps, whether they refer to the practical, the theoretical or the expressive/artistic. The important role of instinct and intuition within creation must also be taken into account, not limiting himself only to logic and reason.

1. Observation of a concrete reality

The creation of something does not start from nothing. Create assumes that what was created did not exist before. Thus, the first step is to observe the world (we are referring to the environment or our own interior) and focus on a specific dimension of reality that can be modified or elaborated.

2. Location of the problem to be solved or the content to be expressed

Once we have observed the world we are in, we have to finish determining if the aspect on which we have focused our attention is missing something or could be improved. It is about locating the aspect that represents a problem to be solved.

3. Define objectives

We can know that something is wrong, missing or must be changed or externalized. The next step is to ask ourselves, what do we intend to do about it? We have to decide what objectives we are going to pursue with our actions, set basic goals. This will allow us to begin to imagine different alternatives for action.

4. brainstorming

Whether it is a project carried out by a company or if it is something of its own that is carried out by a single individual, it is very useful to brainstorm ideas. generating all the alternatives that we can. In this phase we will focus on making as many and more diverse as possible, without taking into account other aspects such as their viability. For the moment we will accept all the alternatives that arise.

5. Evaluation of ideas

Once we have generated as many ideas as possible, it is time to organize and evaluate each one of them. In this step we consider what creative elements are viable and the main elements that have marked the generation of each idea. It is about observing which ones seem more attractive and efficient to us while considering why other ideas were generated and if any element of them could be incorporated into the others.

8. idea choice

After carefully evaluating each of the ideas, it is necessary to select one, although this can be combined with notable aspects of the previous ones. You have to be aware that if they are combined it must be so that the final idea is better, leaving other aspects aside.

It is important to consider all the alternatives. The objective of the creative process is also relevant: if it is about expressing something We do not have to look for the most aesthetic or pleasant but rather that it really allows the expression of what is intended, or if it is intended to solve a problem that the proposal made has a real effect on the problem in question. When choosing the final idea, the rational must be taken into account, but especially when creating, it is necessary to pay attention to instinct and intuition.

7. Seeking advice or exploration

Once the idea in question has been selected, it is necessary investigate different methods of putting it into practice. Resorting to various sources of information or exploring specific ways or modalities of action is a basic and necessary tool. This does not imply giving up creativity, which after all is the fundamental element of the creative process.

8. set the foundations

Another important step is to carry out experiments. before presenting the final version of what is intended to be created, as well as establishing its bases and from of them assess possible modifications that may be necessary or the real applicability of the product final.

9. Development and deepening

Once the bases of the project have been made and once the specifications that will be necessary for its start-up and completion, we must proceed to deepen and develop what we have considered create.

10. Test or pilot test

Once the idea is developed, it is necessary to test it before presenting it, so that its actual operation is verified and if any changes are necessary. This test must first be done in a controlled environment, being a test of how the created thing would behave in a real environment.

11. Evaluation of the creative process

This step it is necessary to apply it throughout the entire creative process. We must be aware of whether the progressive creation of the proposed element or solution complies with the requirements throughout its development. objectives, what results can be expected, whether and how sufficient supervision has been applied, whether progress is being made adequately or, on the contrary, there are difficulties, if there are sufficient resources or if the initial expectations are realistic or they need to be adjusted.

12. Implementation/Exhibition/Communication

The culmination of the creative process itself arrives at the moment in which all the previous steps have been overcome, the proposed product or solution are applied in real life or exposed to the public.

13. Feedback

Despite all the steps we have been able to take, once the product of our efforts has been presented or produced, others will have different opinions about it. This last phase allows us to collect possibilities for improvement to which we cannot close ourselves, since they can give us interesting ideas for new creative processes.