Page 152 - Keys to College Success

KEY 5.5 Creativity is everywhere.

Solar streetlights
powered by solar
Packaging for Sun Chips panels attached
that is biodegradable in a to the poles
backyard compost pile
B Cycles, a bicycle sharing system
operating in cities all over the world,
The ownership saving energy and providing
of the Green Bay mobility and exercise
Packers, consisting of
112,158 devoted fans
who provide f nancial
stability and ensure
Think-Pair-Share, the team will stay
a teaching in Wisconsin
innovation Off ce design
that gets featuring central meeting
students
places such as Google’s
involved in the Creativity is café, providing a place for
classroom
everywhere people from different
Bead teams to connect and
for Life, a group of African share ideas
women who make jewelry out of
recycling and use income
to help combat poverty National
No-Screen Week,
which gets kids
playing games and Critical, Creative, and Practical Thinking
running around
outside
Hybrid cars that save
money and reduce
the carbon footprint

The challenging aspect of the creative experience often gets cast aside when the
spotlight is focused on the brilliant final product. However, there is no product without
the challenge. “Creativity is . . . about taking an idea in your head, and transforming
that idea into something real,” says graphic designer Milton Glaser, who developed the
“I ♥ NY” slogan. “And that’s always going to be a long and difficult process. If you’re
doing it right, it’s going to feel like work.” 15
Examining the creative process reveals that it requires both divergent and conver-
gent thinking. Divergent thinking is the stage leading up to the revelation of the idea,
where you let your mind diverge—wander in different directions—in search of solu-
tions. Convergent thinking is the more focused, systematic refining stage where you sift
through and adjust ideas until you narrow it down to what works. These thinking
actions are separate dimensions of creativity. Look at Key 5.6 for ways to diverge and
16
converge on your path to creative insight.
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