If succeeding in business was as simple as mastering order fulfillment or finding the best payment processor, you’d see a lot more first-time entrepreneurs living large. In reality, business success goes far beyond technical acumen. It often starts with creative thinking, leading to great ideas that fill a need in the marketplace.
Anyone can embark on a creative journey to come up with new ideas for products or how to make them. But before you begin your creative endeavors, you need a process to turn an abstract concept into something tangible. Here’s an overview of the creative process, which you can use to generate innovative ideas of your own.
What is the creative process?
The creative process is the structured approach that creative people like artists, writers, product designers, graphic designers, and marketers follow for idea generation. It traditionally follows a five-step sequence that flows from finding inspiration to critical thinking as you hone in on a tangible creative idea.
Stages of the creative process
The five stages of the creative process are key to transforming an initial idea into a fully realized project. Here’s a breakdown of each of the five steps:
1. Preparation
In the preparation stage, a creator takes time to conduct research and compile knowledge to help spark inspiration or solve a problem. They then head to the proverbial drawing board to chart new ideas. In this first stage of the creative process, you want to define your goal so that you’re channeling your problem-solving skills toward something worth pursuing.
2. Incubation
In the incubation stage, the creator lets their mind wander. If you’ve reached this stage, you’ve already spent time gathering information. You might now break from direct problem-solving and allow your mind to make new connections beneath the surface. As your thoughts drift in this second stage, you’ll develop additional insights that build on your initial idea.
3. Illumination
The third stage of the creative process is the illumination stage. It’s often thought of as the “eureka” or “light bulb” moment, where one idea may break through from the pack, revealing itself to be the solution you’ve been seeking.
4. Evaluation
The evaluation stage, sometimes called the insight stage, requires a critical assessment of your new idea, as you draw out more details to confirm its viability. At this point, you may choose to seek input from others to gain different perspectives. You then make adjustments and improvements to your ideas based on your evaluation. As an entrepreneur, you might take this step to conduct market research.
5. Verification
In this final stage of the creative process, a person will put ideas into action and test their effectiveness in the real world. This is where the heavy lifting happens. As a creator, you’ll use this stage to confirm that your creative works meet your stated goals and objectives.
Reaching the verification stage does not mean you’re done creating. In real-life practice, these key stages are not always linear. Whether you aim to create fine art or a smartphone app, you may toggle back and forth between different stages as you work on a project.
Tips for cultivating your own creative process
- Designate a dedicated creative space
- Set aside regular creative time
- Experiment with different creative techniques
- Embrace failure and mistakes
- Connect with other creatives
You don’t need to be a creative genius to turn inspiration into a tangible product or service. You do need to focus, commit to hard work, and strike a balance between creativity and practicality. Whether you’re an artist or a B2B sales manager, here are some tips for realizing your creative potential:
Designate a dedicated creative space
Your dedicated creative space can be a physical space where you can focus on creative pursuits without distractions. If you don’t have the luxury of an exclusive space, find a way to create a mental space that’s purely reserved for creativity. Silence your phone, turn off the TV, and grant yourself room to focus on the task at hand.
Set aside regular creative time
Many successful creators and entrepreneurs schedule specific blocks of time each day or week for creative activities. Even short bursts of creativity can be beneficial.
Experiment with different creative techniques
Try new approaches and methods to see what works best for you. Activities such as freewriting and doodling may inspire creativity. Some people get inspiration while they’re exercising and others keep a journal of ideas. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
Embrace failure and mistakes
No entrepreneur gets everything right from the jump, nor does every composer write a masterpiece each time they sit down at the piano. View setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back.
Connect with other creatives
Creativity does not have to be a solitary activity. Many artists cultivate communities, such as writing groups, to encourage one another’s creative endeavors. Seek out communities of your own with individuals who can provide support, inspiration, and feedback.
Creative process FAQ
What are the five steps of the creative process?
The five steps of the creative process are preparation, incubation, illumination, evaluation, and verification.
How do you explain the creative process?
The creative process is a structured yet dynamic journey through five stages—preparation, incubation, illumination, evaluation, and verification—that lead teams and individuals to new ideas worth pursuing.
How do you find your creative process?
You find your creative process by experimenting with different methods of gathering inspiration, such as journaling or doodling. You then allow time for reflection, refine your ideas through trial and error, and try to apply your creations to the real world to see if they’re viable.
