Graham Wallas's Theory

What is Creativity?

Creativity is a mental process which involves the generation of new ideas, concepts or new associations between existing ideas or concepts. 

Graham Wallas's Theory of creative process

Graham Wallas - Art of Thought

The 4 stages of creative process according to Graham Wallas

1. Preparation - the first stage on which the issue must be defined, observed then study. 

Advantages:

• Can reduce anxiety and fear of not finishing the task.
• Well researched and planned.
• Mind and attention are focused on the goal.
• Easier to reach the goal.

Disadvantages:

• You are not prepared on what problem you might encounter.
• Time consuming because your materials are not gathered.
• Your attention will split into two: problem & goals.
• 
  

How did you prepare the creative task?

My 5 wastes materials (Bottled water, bottled can, cotton
bud's container, coca-cola box and plastic spoons)

In doing my wastes product activity, firstly I need to prepare or gather wastes then define the problem which is to create something that can be used on a table out of the 5 wastes. I analysed the different wastes I 've got and thinking of something that can be useful out of these wastes.

2. Incubation  - the second stage on which the problem is set aside and new ideas are coming into the person's mind.

Advantages:

• A series of unconscious, involuntary and mental events are taking place.
• Thinking realistically. 
• New ideas are helpful and in setting the problem aside, the person will be able to stay calm and think broader.

Disadvantages:

• During the incubation, we don't intentionally deliberate on a particular problem.
• Might be out of focus and ideas might not be connected with the issue.
• Ideas are not as clear as expected.

Facebook is an example of socialising
that I've done and helps me to come up
in some ideas.

Did you leave creative tasks for a while?
After actively engaging with the problem, I set it aside. As I wasn't thinking of the problem, I came into some great ideas while browsing the internet, socialising and watching the television. Sometimes, I am looking for different concepts in objects that I am encountering, either on a daily basis or something that I just see occasionally.








3. Illumination - the third stage on which the new ideas are emerged.

Advantages:

• The ideas are fresh.
• Ideas are flashing while your brain is resting and doing other activities.
• Ideas flashes all of a sudden.

Disadvantages:

• Ideas can only be gathered if the preparation has been done.
• Ideas can be not worth to be applied realistically.
• As ideas flashes in inappropriate time and event, the ideas can be forgotten and disregarded. 

When did your idea come to you?

Youtube advertisement about recycling
gives me an idea.

My ideas flashes on my mind from different sources and occasions. One time, I have been watching something on YouTube and then an advertisement appeared about recycling therefore I have some "Aha.." moment where I know it will help me with my wastes materials. Moreover, I have noted some ideas that best fits my wastes materials and how can I make it work.

4. Verification - the final stage on which you will check your ideas and test if it works.

Advantages:

• You can improve your finished product.
• You can determine whether the ideas applied worked the way it must be.
• Enhance or put additional objects that will make the product better.
• You can determine whether you are satisfied or not. 

Disadvantages:

• There's a possibility that there would be no enough time to verify the finished product.
• Additional ideas might cause negative reaction to the product.
• Additional ideas might cause exaggeration.
• Ideas are not according to the plan or preparation.

How did you test your different ideas before deciding which one to follow?

Verifying to ensure that I'm satisfied with my finished product.

After finishing the finished product which in my case, a pencil and pen holder and a flower decoration, I have check and test whether my product worked or not. At first, the stand of the pencil/pen holder was not balanced therefore I put additional plastic spoons. When it seems to be alright, I test the if the holder can carry more pencil and pen, it does but not more than 8 pens. So I tried to put additional spoons to support the holder. Afterwards, I checked the flower decoration out of the plastic bottle, I figured out that there were some corners that can be dangerous and can possibly cut a finger, so I sharpened it and ensure that the corners are well shaped and doesn't cause any harm.