The EUREKA! Process and Pathways to Creativity
Dagfinn Aksnes
Date: 26 Mar 08, 10.00am-12.30pm
Where: The Lighthouse
Cost: Free
Description
Creativity is a highly valuable and desirable quality, which appears to defy our attempts at understanding it. Despite much scientific research effort, creativity remains infuriatingly elusive. It seems that the very act of scientifically researching creativity makes it evaporate like Daphne. Could it be that we are looking in the wrong place?
If however, we try to understand creativity from the view of the creative practitioner, suddenly valuable insights open up, which promise to let us understand and apply creativity effectively and profitably. This research indicates that people can enhance their creative processes and realize their creative potential to maximum effect. Creativity is emerging as a different cognitive entity in comparison with traditional scientific, logic, deductive thinking. Once we realize and accept this, the EUREKA! process can be nourished, strengthened and applied.
The Cox Review of Creativity in Business has set a scenario with broad strategic recommendations for promoting creativity. However we need to recognize that a major obstacle to creativity is that many of us are labouring in working environments where most if not all the factors which may promote creativity are either ‘switched off’ or actively discouraged. The challenge now is to develop the functional processes and environments to realize Cox’s intentions and the magnitude of these objectives should not be underestimated. Dagfinn Aksnes explores a creative practice-based approach, evolved through research into multidisciplinary practice in design, management and academia to understanding creative processes. He also investigates strategies and tools for encouraging individuals and organisations to reach their creative potential and harvesting creative value.
Biography
Dagfinn is an international consultant and researcher in creative practice and application. As Director of the Centre for Creativity at Sørlandet Knowledge Harbour in Arendal, Norway, he is developing the strategies, practices, learning processes, insights and knowledge required to capitalize on creative potential. Sørlandet Knowledge Harbour is a seafront development in a prime location in one of Norway’s most attractive regions, bringing together best practice in creativity and lifelong learning. Dagfinn has a background in design practice and entrepreneurship (PDD Ltd, Sinclair Research, Duracell Batteries, and Electrolux), academia (Glasgow School of Art and the Open University where he is now a Senior Research Fellow) consultancy, strategy development and practice-based research. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Reserve a place now or contact Event Manager, Yvonne Kincaid at [email protected], call 0141 225 0103. Please note that places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
