Launching the Imagination Chapter 5&6

Problem seeking and problem solving... Now, that's a subject I can sink my teeth into. I have lived the vast majority of my life running away from problems. I always thought of problems as something to avoid, at all cost. Funny, how when you live your life like that, you end up with nothing but a big huge pile of unsolved problems. In my former life, it never would have occurred to me to actually seek out problems (on a conscious level, anyway). Through my experiences with education and, more specifically, my growing experiences with the world of creating art, I have recently become aware of the powerful opportunities for growth and experience associated with problem solving.

Before, I always just created art because I thought it looked cool and it was something to do, to occupy my time. As a graphic designer, I will be chiefly in the business of solving my clients problems; namely, how to communicate their ideas and promote their desired corporate identities, visually. As an artist, I am starting to recognize the power that artists have to raise social consciousness. This can only be done by defining a problem and seeking a creative solution that expresses the idea/philosophy you wish to communicate. In Chapter 5, the author states "When a problem is too easy or the solution is too familiar, little is learned and nothing is gained". This goes for life, as well as art and education, I believe. By defining a problem, doing research, using divergent and convergent thinking to devise and execute a strategy, we can create better art, as well as learning and growing, as individuals. Two other concepts that were discussed in this chapter are both things that I think will be very useful, in the creative process; journaling and brainstorming. Both will be added to the repetoir.

Chapter 6 discussed the development of critical thinking. This is an important part of our growth process, as artists. Critical thinking combines evaluation, analysis, and exploration of alternatives. A big part of this process is accomplished by critiques, of our own work and of other's. We have done a little of this, in class. Honestly, I feel like our critiques were a little "touchy feely". I think that we could all do with a little more constructive criticism. When I look at other students work, I am hesitant to point out what I see as weak points, not wanting to be offensive, or hurtful. As artists, we need to develop open minds and thick skin, if we are to achieve our full potential.