What Flavor is Your Imagination?
Which of the three types of imagination do you practice most readily [Descriptive, Creative, or Challenging]? Why? Which type is most conducive to individual ideation and which type is more conducive to group brainstorming? (Find the original article in the class website for this week.)
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The type of imagination I most readily practice would have to be "challenging imagination". I think this type is particularly useful in group settings if participants are confident they can question the underlying assumptions of existing methods. There are two reasons I think Challenging Imagination lends itself to groups. First, most groups need all the help they can get to challenge their existing conceptions, and this type has the fewest constraints. Second, actually challenging what you think you know about something can be overwhelming on an individual basis. You may know what questions to ask, but have no expertise to create alternatives. A group consisting of a variety of experiences will help prevent an idea from stalling by its ability to generate a greater volume of alternatives.
ReplyDeleteOn an individual basis, I believe Creative Imagination would be most conducive to individual ideation. This type of imagination provides an individual with enough context regarding a problem to be productive without the need for a group leading to greater efficiency.
I most readily use ‘descriptive’ imagination. Often times abstract ideas are confusing, and I find that writing it down in an organized format makes the information best understood. This allows me to better remember and repeat conceptual ideas. As a visual learner, I also find that this method works when working in large groups. I may be explaining an idea, but not able to verbalize exactly what I mean. Putting this idea down on paper and drawing as I talk usually gives the idea more life.
ReplyDeleteFor an individual, I think ‘challenging’ imagination is most conducive to brainstorming. When working alone, you are often held back by stereotypes and past ideas that may hinder idea creation. If you give your mind a chance to think outside of rules and moral behavior, you may give it a chance to actually come up with good ideas. For a group, I think ‘creative’ imagination helps most in idea creation. This keeps the group grounded and within the boundaries or limits of what they might be able to do. However, it allows the group to stretch ideas and solutions, and hopefully come up with a truly useful idea.
Individually, the type of imagination that I have found useful is the "Creative Imagination" process. "Seeing what isn't there" is very valuable for me to try and envision something that breaks the rules or to combine existing things in different ways. This imagination can often (I believe) put a new, profitable spin on old ideas. For example, the "keyboard" and QWERTY keys is an old innovation. However, what happens when you try to use existing technologies to create a keyboard without keys? The result might be a touchscreen approach, such as that on the iPod or Blackberry touch editions.
ReplyDeleteFor groups, I like the "Challenging Imagination" process. Conducive to brainstorming with groups, I believe this process can help group members to put forth ideas that they might not otherwise feel confortable voicing. These kinds of ideas may be the "game changing" ideas that the business is looking for at that time.
I would think that my imagination is somewhere between creative and challenging. Sometimes the situation affects how I innovate. Typically, I'd say i'm better at improving on existing ideas, figuring out what I have and where I can go with that. But I would say I'm good at coming up with 'challenge' ideas when necessary - basically when the situation calls for more than a creative idea. My experience in entrepreneurship is a good example of when I've needed to use both types of creativity. To improve my overall business, sometimes I would need to figure out how to expand on an already existing idea, and sometimes I would need to come up with totally different ideas in arenas my company did not focus in.
ReplyDeleteOn an individual basis, it really depends on the person's personality and ability to focus. I'd imagine some people are more innovative when they can plan things out and make charts and notice trends, and some flat out try to defy status quo. Group ideation can be more difficult, as you first need to make sure all flavors of imagination in the group can work with each other. Too many or too few of one type can lead for clashing of ideas or not enough innovation. I'd think that it is helpful having people of each style mixed in. It may be good to have the person who can be descriptive so they can keep things organized, institute frameworks in the thinking, and likely relate best to management and other outsiders. Creatives can take existing ideas and improve on them, leading change but not at the point where it's unrelateable. And it's always good to have that one naysayer in the group so people don't get fixated on their perspectives, and they can possibly isolate new areas for growth and improvement
I use "Challenging Imagination" most often. I have an engineering background and really connected with the re-engineering training I received. I like to employ that in as many ways as possible. I very much identify with the sarcasm portion of this technique too, although I never thought of it as creativity. In reflection, I frequently came up with a lot of good ideas based on sarcastic critiques of a situation. Because of some poor leaders, I actually had to create a policy of not being uber-sarcastic, because they would take the most ridiculous suggestion I had and attempt to run with it.
ReplyDeleteI tend to practice descriptive imagination. I’m a visual learner, and by grouping information together or placing it in a sequence, I provide myself with a better opportunity to be creative than starting from scratch. A blank page does nothing but delay the creative process for me. Providing structure around the information I do have allows me to see what’s missing and to make connections that would otherwise seem less obvious.
ReplyDeleteI would think that the type of imagination most conducive to individual ideation – and even group ideation, for that matter – would depend on the individual(s) involved. I don’t think that it makes sense to label any one type – descriptive, creative, or challenging – as the most conducive to learning. The best idea might be to try ideation several ways in order to come up with the most innovative ideas.
I admire creative imagination most because I wish I had more of it. When I think about imagination, my interpretation of it is certainly the creative sense, the idea of making something out of nothing. However I am most capable of descriptive imagination. I have a tendency to see existing situations in a different light than others. One of my strengths is connecting ideas and concepts to spin situations in a different direction or unify ideas under a common theme.
ReplyDeleteMy own experience has taught me that all kinds of imagination are not only valuable but essential. Especially in a group setting the combination of these three is most effective than any one type on its own. The creative imaginators can generate brand new ideas, descriptive imaginators can shape them and connect them to the relevant situation, and the challenging imaginators can offer the sarcastic, critical analysis to further refine the ideas. I don’t think you can say that one type is more conducive to individual ideation as each type can be particularly beneficial in different circumstances. As I mentioned previously, my personal approach is usually towards descriptive imagination but I am always hoping to be overwhelmingly struck by creative imagination!
My imagination tends to be a blend of description and creative, but more on the descriptive side. As a visual person, it helps to have something to use as a prompt to identify new insights and possibilities, but you have to be careful this doesn't become a crutch that will eventually put limits on your imagination. I've found that using the descriptive approach as a springboard for the creative works extremely well.
ReplyDeleteAs for which type works best for the individual versus a group brainstorming session, I think it depends on 1)the individual 2) the group dynamic, and 3)the problem/situation that needs a solution. Unless one specific type, descriptive, creative, or challenging, has been proven to be the most conducive to the current situation, then I think it make the most sense to employ all three methods to avoid limiting any one.
A manager I used to work for once gave me some interesting advice: "Thomas ... when in doubt, use a matrix." This passing nugget of wisdom made a lot of sense to me, both because it summed up how much I thought consultants were full of crap sometimes but more importantly because it appealed to my descriptive imagination. I am a visual learner and presenter. Venn diagrams, swim-flow charts, pyramids ... as an unapologetic PowerPoint geek/enthusiast, I use these all the time to convey my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of how the three types of imaginations foster creativity in the individual and group settings, I think that depends on the people and problems in question. The one semi-definitive observation I will point out is that I believe a challenging imagination is oftentimes difficult to manage. From my limited experiences working with such individuals, their tendencies towards sarcasm and negativity serve to hamper the extent to which groups can be creative and, subsequently, productive.
I am generally a "creative" type of innovator. In most situations I usually find myself generating ideas that are competely new and unprecedented rather than evolutions of an existing concept. I have trained myself to think incrementally, though, as the practicality of a descriptive imagination is evident. To progress towards the concept developed by my creative imagination requires use of my descriptive imagination, if this makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIndividual ideation is best accomplished through challenging and creative imagination. In other words, deconstructing existing ideas of how things are accomplished, then developing a completely new method or idea. Individual ideation removes the barriers of group constraints and allows one to think freely and openly without reservation.
Group ideation is best accomplished through descriptive imagination, I believe, although the nature of the problem can determine the type of imagination necessary to solve the problem. The reason I believe descriptive imagination is the best is because it generally provides a clear and concise picture of the idea, and allows the group to establish a concrete definition of the idea being discussed, which helps generate group buy-in.
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ReplyDeleteI find that I am a creative innovator, but similarities to the descriptive innovation style. Rather then recreating, I usually brainstorm and often find myself thinking outside the box, regardless of the situation. During the first year of business school, being pressed for time, I found that there are situations where Creative Imagination needs to be limited versus other situations where creativity and innovation are necessary. As a group, we have often utilized the descriptive imagination strategy while "white-boarding" and creating "flowcharts". Personally, I find that the creative imagination techniques allow me to see what does not currently exist, and create something that totally branches out from the norm. Instead of replicating an idea, product, or task, I like to think of the problems or dislikes, and create more effective and creative processes and products. This creativity is what differentiates a good idea from a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI think I most frequently use “Descriptive Imagination”. When brainstorming my 101 ideas, I found it helpful to physically change my environment and look at material objects to help think of different ideas. Taking what already exists and putting it into a different context is easier for me than to imagine something entirely new.
ReplyDeleteFor group brainstorming, I think that having a mix of all three types of imagination would be most helpful, assuming all members of the group are respectful of the other types. While different types of ideation can lead to clashes, if the group is handled well, each type of imagination can build on each other to develop even better ideas. Especially important would be “Challenging Imagination”, to make sure that everyone is anticipating and thinking about potential challenges with both new and old processes.
At Owen, I definitely practice “descriptive imagination” more often than the other forms – analyzing data to identify patterns and make conclusions, using frameworks to digest and simplify massive amounts of information, creating exhibits that describe complex ideas in clearer ways. I also use “creative imagination” but it seems like I’ve use this type of imagination in past marketing roles more so than at Owen. This includes brainstorming new product concepts or unique promotional ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think creative imagination is best for individual ideation (think 101 ideas), whereas descriptive imagination could be utilized by an individual or in a group setting. Identifying patterns and trying to make sense of the confusing world could be done individually, but it may help to do it a group setting where people see things in new/different ways. As for “challenging imagination”, I agree with Erika that it is best for group settings when the group can help each other ignore stereotypes and the status quo to truly start with a clean slate.
I tend to brainstorm and announce/express ideas with Both descriptive and creative imagination. My ideas tend to have a building visual surrounding it, which i like to express using storytelling-type frameworks. Creative imagination is at the heart of my career and the way I come up with campaign launches, promotional opportunities and new ideas to solve almost any structural/efficiency/internal issue within the office or among an Owen group.
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ReplyDeleteI have tried each type of imagination and found some that were personally more effective than others. When I first became interested in creativity and innovation, I used the challenging innovation method. I would criticize current standards and try to come up with ideas that broke those standards. I found this to be most often ineffective and forced me to spend most my time reworking ideas because those higher up would reject them. Much of this approach stemmed from my misconception that to be innovative, and idea had to be completely original and different from something that had been done before. As a graphic designer, I found creative imagination to be the most effective because most clients had specific styles and tastes that they wanted, and I could easily transform, tweak, and combine ideas that already existed. This was the easiest way to gain client approval in the least amount of time. Currently, I most often use descriptive imagination. Using various frameworks and graphs allows me to simplify larger problems and consider them from various view points and disciplines.
ReplyDeleteI think both descriptive and creative imagination can be effective in group brainstorming. Descriptive is useful because pictures and frameworks can be an effective tool in communication. Participants will now be not only communicating verbally, but graphically through organizing ideas and approaching the problem in similar ways. I think creative imagination can be useful because ideas can be built on one another. One creative concept can be modified by others or two concepts that arise can be combined.
The type of imagination I use most often would have to be creative imagination. Far from descriptive imagination, which relies on years of experience and data analysis, I try to think of solutions to problems that nobody else has thought of. One example would be the frustration I feel with my backpack. If one of the straps is pinned under something (including a sneaker) when I go to pick it up, the strap readjusts until it gets as large as possible-- then I have to fix it. If there were a lock-snap device to adjust backpack straps, it would ensure that this wouldn't happen. Inspiration comes from everyday experiences; in my case, my natural laziness caters to making things simpler and less complicated.
ReplyDeleteI think the best imagination in groups is challenging imagination. The "nothing is sacred" philosophy is perfect for breaking down norms and inhibitions. Ultimately, this can lead to new ideas, and an entire new pathway for a product or service. One caveat would be that some people may criticize radical ideas, so there would have to be a "no critiquing" rule.
I tend to practice Descriptive Imagination more than any of the other two. I enjoy watching a process, interacting with it, understanding it really well and then thinking about ways on how to improve it. It is important for me to be able to see it, touch it, and feel it before I can think about ways to change it. Creative Imagination is a real challenge for me because I just can’t see what’s not there!
ReplyDeleteI don’t think there is a specific type of imagination that is more conductive of group or individual ideation. I think it all depends on the abilities of each person. Some people have the abilities to draw ideas from seeing what’s out there, yet others can do so even if they don’t see anything. The same effect will happen if these people come together in groups. If Challenging Imagination is “starting all over”, then a group might be helpful in reminding individuals not to be influenced by what they just destroyed!
Off all the different imagination types "Creative Imagination" jumps off the page for me. I've always been an "outside the box" thinker, thriving in ambiguity. In past jobs I have regularly been the "go to" guy when it came time to generate ideas or get a ball rolling towards a new innovation. Whether it's changing something that already existed, or creating something entirely new, I have always found satisfaction in deviating from current choices.
ReplyDeleteChallenging Innovation seems most suited for a group environment as it encourages sarcasm and attempts to "wipe the slate clean".
Of the 3 types of imagination, I commonly use descriptive imagination. I already
ReplyDeletelive in a complex world where I often find it much easier to communicate to an audience abstract ideas through drawings rather than
through searching precise words to describe the idea. Moreover, as a Mid-R type person, I find remembering diagrams, maps, or drawings easier than a paragraph of words thrown together.
For a group brainstorming session, I still like descriptive imagination. Member of a group can converge on enhancing the existing idea. I feel other forms of imagination distract the group from converging on one idea.
However, other forms of imagination would be effective during individual brainstorming session. They are free from certain group dynamics that may hinder creativity. Though I commonly use describe imagination, if given more opportunities to use both creative and challenging imagination for a group, I would venture outside my comfort zone.
The type of imagination that I practice most readily is creative imagination because it does not require a person to completely wipe the slate clean and start out totally fresh like challenging imagination and it is not about always making sense of and improving upon what is already out there like descriptive imagination. Instead my imagination process is in more of a middle ground, coming up with fresh ideas out, but in the context of the world as it currently exists, just like creative imagination.
ReplyDeleteI think that individual ideation is all about being unafraid to come up with the most out-there, extreme new ideas possible and I believe challenging imagination would most facilitate such results. In contrast, I think that creative imagination would be most conducive to group brainstorming, because it keeps the brainstorming session somewhat focused by having some parameters, but still encourages more “out of the box” thinking than descriptive imagination.
The type of imagination that I practice most is challenging imagination. I tend to look at things as they currently are and criticize and look for a way to rebuild.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of individual ideation I think that creative imagination is the most conducive. Individuals that are able to see new possibilities and things that are unique. When it comes to group brainstorming the most conducive would be descriptive imagination. Individuals with strong creative imaginations can bring ideas to the group and if a group is good at descriptive then they will be able to change and possibility improve and see ideas in a new way to develop even more ideas.
The type of imagination that I use most often is descriptive imagination. When I look at objects or problems I am unfamiliar with, I try to focus on the patterns, and make sense of the data that is in front of me. Only by understanding the current situation will I be able to come up with a “improvement” or alternative explanation to the data.
ReplyDeleteFor groups, I feel like creative imagination is something that should be used. Groups are often utilized to “think out of the box”, or see things in a new way. This kind of creativity is the kind that creates new product segments, or new ideas that never existed before.
I use more of the descriptive imagination. I like to break down my thought process by using picture, diagrams etc. With this, I can easily identify the missing link and come up creative ideas to solve the problem. The ideation method being used in a creative process depends on the individual. The creative imagination works more in group because it allows individual to share their ideas and then build up on the different ideas being thrown around in group.
ReplyDeleteI use of a mix of descriptive and creative imagination most frequently. If I start off generating ideas on my own, they resemble the people, places, and things with which I'm familiar. But if I go through this process with others, my ideas seem less "repurposed."
ReplyDeleteWhen generating ideas on your own, I don't believe there's one best way. It really comes down to the individual. What is more important is a willingness and openness to experience new environments and people which may ultimately generate ideas that might not otherwise come to the surface.
For group brainstorming, I think it's beneficial to have a mix of the different types of imagination. I do think that a group too heavily weighted on challenging imagination may have some difficulty coming to consensus on an idea.
I associate best with what is described as having a "descriptive imagination" because I work best with visual representations of problems and how to solve them through innovation. I tend to be considered a realist who accepts laws and rules but tries to work around them without breaking the proverbial mold. I do this best through breaking down society to an easily recognizable system where I can see potential approaches to a problem in order to solve it.
ReplyDeleteDescriptive Imagination is essential to the success of group brainstorming, but acts as an inhibitor for individual brainstorming, as I have limits to what I see as solutions.
Creative Imagination is definitely the most effective method to help individual brainstorming activities, as it allows the individual to create ideas that are all over the spectrum without societal constraints.
Out of the three types of imagination, I readily practice descriptive imagination. I believe the main reason being the way I have been educated in college, consulting, and B-school. They all taught me how to see a problem/situation, to comprehend by doing analysis, and create scenarios through matrices, graphs, or even just a write-up to solve the problems. So instead of challenging the status quo or brainstorming, I tend to view forward-looking solutions based on personal experience and knowledge. Therefore, normally such a solution is not a breakthrough, but more of safe and realistic.
ReplyDeleteI believe the most conducive to individual ideation is challenging imagination. Challenging innovation gives a chance for an individual to see a circle as a square; he will not accept a situation, a problem, nor a solution as is. He thinks through a problem and can re-engineer an idea, whether the most viable solution out there is truly the most viable. The only problem with this is that it could generate such ideas would be a radical and not accepted, OR ideas that will change the world or a breakthrough.
On the other hand, I believe the more conducive to group brainstorming is creative imagination. This combines several ordinary(or already extraordinary) ideas into a single effective ideas, not radical, but more fresh ones. It will create a new concept, though the risk is similar with challenging imagination. - Michael Hadipoespito
I practice “Challenging Imagination” the most consistently of the three imagination types. I believe that being extremely critical of everything not only allows you see the flaws of a system, but enables you to develop a path for improvement and re-invention. Christopher Hitchens says, “A pessimist is really an optimist in disguise”, I believe that statement bleeds into the sphere of creativity. Being able to see all the problems ahead enables you to see the potential improvements.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is no single best way for individual ideation. I believe each person should use what works best for them. It is best to separate out the groups of thinker types and let them focus on what each does best. They each add value to the process at different times in a products/services life cycle.
I practice descriptive imagination most often because I'm the type of person that only sees situations as they are and often works with them from there. I prefer though to simplify everything in my mind to an idea or image so that it is very easy for me to grasp and to explain to others. I use this especially in academic and work environments because it is here that we often get so much information thrown at us.
ReplyDeleteFor individual ideation, I think the best method for individuals can differ from person to person and for different situations. In some cases seeing how everything fits together will result in the best ideas. For others looking for what's missing is key or just starting from a clean slate. However, for groups, I think that descriptive imagination is probably the best because it gets everyone saying "yes" to the situation and moving the objective forward. This method is often used by improvisational groups. One person will throw out an idea and everyone else uses that idea and moves the scene forward with it. Adding their own info along the way. I believe this produces some of the best group results.
I like to think that I practice creative imagining most readily. Often times when I am placed into a new environment, I immediately begin questioning processes and thinking of ways that things could be improved upon or changed. To a certain extent I think this has to do with my OCD and tendencies to want to do things my way. But it also has proved beneficial in past work experiences by allowing me to capitalize on inefficiencies and make changes to improve operations.
ReplyDeleteI think that descriptive imagination is probably most conducive to individual ideation because it is the most straightforward method and requires the least amount of what I would consider typical “imagination.”
I think that challenging imagination is most conducive to group brainstorming because it allows for discussion and deconstruction of ideas. As long as the group can stay focused and the discussion is done in a relatively controlled environment, this imagination method has the best potential for generating ideas in a group setting.
I most readily practice descriptive imagination. I feel I am best at taking the available information and making sense of it by finding patterns and/or potential solutions. While I can dip into the creative imagination often (whether it be for art, songwriting, or problem solving), I often distill complex problems into ideas that are small and manageable.
ReplyDeleteI think that each type of imagination has its merits and should be present during group ideation, but for the brainstorming process, I think that creatives are the most important. Descriptives can help frame the project and challengers can refine the solution, but the creatives generate new ideas and possibilities.