The course description for “Creating” was just as mysterious as the name. I had really no idea what I was getting into when I got enrolled in this course. I got to find out that this course focuses on all the aspects related to the creative process.
I was surprised at first when I realized that there was a meditation portion of the class. At first, I thought it was weird and frankly pointless, however, I began to see some of the benefits after a few classes. Whatever I was feeling in the morning whether it was stress or anxiety was reset to a neutral and relaxed state after the meditation. The meditation techniques also assisted me in being more aware of my thoughts. I began to understand the concept of being a separate observer of your own thoughts. I realized that my thoughts were just paths that I could choose to engage with rather than being those thoughts themselves.
The making assignments were by far the most integral part of this course. Due to how open-ended the creating activities were at first, I was anxious. The scope of the making assignments was so wide that I had no idea where to start, I felt a sense of dread that I would pick an idea that was not good enough. However, the professor’s emphasis on the learning process rather than the finished product was reassuring to me. One of the main challenges I had was coming up with new ideas every day. The specific issue that was stopping me was that constant internal dialogue critiquing the idea before I even give it much effort. To overcome this, I had to push myself to suspend my judgment of the idea and give it room to grow and see where it goes.
The class and studio visits were highly informative that illuminated the realities that working artists confront on a daily basis. It was remarkable to discover how many of the artists held opposing views, such as Ming and Markus in the way they treat and communicate with their audience. Some had well-defined creative processes, while others were hazy on the details. Each artist had their own distinct approach to the creative process, which demonstrated to me that there is no ideal method to create, just what works for you. Hearing about the hardships that artists confront was eye-opening. Overall, the class and studio trips improved my understanding of how art is created. They also demonstrated the challenges of being an artist and inspired me to embrace the ups and downs of the creative process.
This course’s readings have been helpful in understanding precise and practical ways for entering a state of lateral thinking. The major two strategies that I found effective were asking why to the thoughts that came to mind first, and then thinking of five alternatives to our initial idea. This enabled me to develop a disciplined strategy that prioritizes creative thinking. Many of the obstacles that artists confront from themselves and society are addressed in Art and Fear. It helped me comprehend my own perception of myself as an artist, even if I do not pursue it professionally. There was only one reading from the book “Flow,” however it was the one that captivated me the most. I’ve had instances in my life when I was entirely absorbed in what I was doing, which was referred to as flow, but it seems to happen at random. Following the reading, I had a clear concept of how to increase my chances of attaining this flow state. Overall, the readings provided me with insights into various yet overlapping topics related to creativity, productivity, and self-perception. This has increased my understanding of artists and their work, as well as how I approach my own creative endeavors.
Overall, this class has improved my understanding of the various parts of the creative process. I learned various ways of coming up with concepts and ideas via the class and readings, as well as the realities of being an artist through class visits and vacations. I feel my ability to express myself creatively has improved over the last three weeks, and I view myself as more adaptable and open-minded in how I tackle problems. Although I will not be pursuing a career in the arts, I am confident that what I learned in this course will be useful in solving any challenges I may have in the future by coming up with fresh and creative solutions.