How can creativity be developed in graphic design students?
Abstract
Some of my graphic design students begin designing projects on a rather sour note. When we start generating ideas, or sketching concepts, some students will say, “I can’t think of any ideas,” or, “I am just not feeling creative today.” As their teacher it frustrates me to hear them begin a fun design project with a lack of creativity and a seemingly uninspired attitude.
In class, we go through several activities that are designed to encourage creativity and get them thinking in new and clever ways. These activities seem to work for some students, but not as many as I would like. I am left wondering how I can design learning activities to encourage all of my students to be creative? Or, as I have read, is creativity reserved for the chosen few who are born with the skill to create things and ideas that are new, clever and original?
With these questions in mind, my review of literature and action research will focus on this thesis question, “How can creativity be developed in graphic design students?” My review of literature will focus on defining creativity and on what activities I can use to teach my students to be more creative. My action research will introduce new activities into my classroom that are specifically designed to help my students increase their understanding of creativity, and how to employ certain activities to increase their creativity.
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