Study shows that imagination is crucial and essential for creativity and the development of innovative ideas. Indeed, creativity does not mean only a physical act but always comes after an inner phase of inspiration and manifestation, where imagining or “visualizing” determines how a creative idea should be realized.
Thr process of imagination and creativity:
Inspiration phase > Imagination phase > Manifesting phase > Technique and craft > Reflecting phase
1. Inspiration and motivation
The first stage is where the elements in one’s environment or within a person generate enthusiasm for action. Simply put, someone is inspired to do something. Inspiration does not only mean having a good idea; the motivation to act on it is also an important element.
Inspiration always has the basis that a person wants to work something out artistically or innovatively. The interesting thing about inspiration is that the motivation arises spontaneously and does not have to be built up by compulsory factors.
2. Imagination stage
Imagination in creativity is the coming together of your personality with the elements that inspire you, which together create a situation, composition, and feeling.
This composition is completely independent of time and eventually forms into an idea.
Imagination equals visualization in the creative process. This is at once the common thread that brings about both inspiration, technique, and realization. In imagination, in fact, there are no limits except those that a person sets for himself. During this process, a person creates a visual experience in his mind that acts as an example for the realization of the creative plan. This process is so crucial and natural, especially for someone with an artistic personality.
The emotion and euphoria of creative inspiration give the imagination the space to create a mental picture that becomes the basis of the physical concept.
3. Manifesting stage
The moment of action requires not only a visualization but also a technical side, where the realization comes about. When an artist or writer starts working on a film, book, or artwork, the confrontation with reality and his imagination is often difficult. This is mainly due to:
- Being dependent on time
- Making an elaboration plan
- Being dependent on materials and people
- Sticking to the original idea
So it is not surprising that during the manifesting stage, the course and preconceived plan gradually get lost.
This is due to the fact that moments of inspiration and imagination last only a few seconds. In addition, they are very intense and often rich in detail. The technicality and realism involved in elaboration cause this visualization to partially fade.
4. The creative process
The creative process consists largely of sifting through ideas, originality, and technical skills. Improvisation is also a big part of how many artists complement an original artistic idea. The great imagination and memorization of the creator determine the prosperity of the process.
The dexterity and skill of an artist determine how prosperous and efficient such a process is. Knowing one’s own limits and working methods determines how much remains of the original source of inspiration and manifestation.
Because in our imagination there are no limits to technique, laws, or skill, the manufacturability and likelihood that the creator can accomplish the same lies with his own ability.
And because an artist or writer often needs a world of thought without limits, he or she will not pay attention to its makeability until a later point during the imagination process.
5. Reflection phase
In and after the making process, an artist often has a period of reflection, during which the real core or message must be kept straight. This means that a creator often looks at his own work with a strict eye, weighing up what is missing and what could possibly be left out.
An artist who is a perfectionist will weigh and reflect on a very deep level from the very first moment of inspiration. This is then often done using predetermined expectations and imposing a very high bar on yourself.
Because inspiration and imagination can arise unawares. and without fear, these high expectations often backfire instead of being achieved as a result.
