THE FIVE PHASES OF CREATIVITY

The following are the 5 principal phases of creativity, according to Dilip Mukerjea, graphically speaking.

1. FIRST INSIGHT

2. SATURATION

3. INCUBATION

4. ILLUMINATION

5. VERIFICATION

The duration of the various phases can vary depending on numerous factors. Illumination alone is generally instantaneous when it strikes us.

There is one notable exception here. The Gestalt psychologists consider creativity to be an unsegmented process.

We could also view the 5 Phases of Creativity as follows:

1. Preparation

2. Generation

3. Incubation

4. Evaluation

5. Implementation

Of course, once an idea has been evaluated, it must be implemented, or else the creative effort will not be completed. Further or continuous, “evaluation” might need to take place after “implementation” as is well known in Quality Control circles.

At this juncture, the creative process is still being researched extensively and we must reserve judgement on the absolute accuracy of the process based on what is known.

There are so many levels of intuition that it must play a significant part in such an intellectual tango.

[Excerpted from the 'Catalysing Creativity' edition of the Braindancer subscription series of bookazines by Dilip Mukerjea. All the images in this post are the intellectual property of Dilip Mukerjea.]