I was fortunate enough to take Professor Vogel’s Creative Thinking graduate course at Emerson College through the Global Marketing Communications & Advertising program (the one he directs). Like others in the course, I went in with a very linear way of thinking. It took 4-5 weeks for the change to happen, but when it did, we all popped at once. It was remarkable. I had marketing department work and agency life in my back pocket. Not once did I expect such a drastic shift in thought — Oh, and especially as a media guy (as media guy as they come).

The course wasn’t like anything I had ever taken. We met as a class and it had an ending date… no other similarities to academia (I’m not sure what I even got for a grade as there were no grades handed out). For me, it has become a part of my professional life; how I strategize and process thoughts. That sums up the power, influence, and brilliance of his 10 week program. There was one class that I was inspired enough to almost walk out. With my sketch pad in hand, I am sure Professor Vogel would have welcomed it.

Like you Edward, I don’t want to reveal anything new outside what you have already written about his research, but it is safe to say that he is not trying to define creativity and the book will be successful.

Great post Edward.

-Dan

@adscientist

A quick aside, I think we were on opposite ends of a JetBlue flight recently (Tampa/Boston) and it was delayed. I was checking on Twitter and was able to find out via your tweets about my flight status, so thanks!

I hope my comments don’t fall into the “Those Who Can, Do; Those Who Can’t, Teach.” category.

Spencer OstranderY
Sophomore
Design+Management
Parsons/New School

Thanks for your reply. I was in a sullen mood last night when I wrote my comment. I feel better this morning, so let me first say that I applaud Thomas. Go for it, dude! Truly, and I hope his discoveries are great and help people get to creativity faster and with even better results.

On further reflection, I think his book will be somewhat like the BRILLIANT Songwriters on Songwriting, by Paul Zollo. Thomas’ book will seek to draw conclusions, while Zollo’s does not, but both will end up shedding light on the creative process.

For what it’s worth, here’s what I think creativity demands in an agency (I was an ECD before my brain injury, so my conclusions are based mainly on that experience).

Great Input that establishes a clear goal with limits (a lack of limits/boundaries kills creativity)
Open Debate that drives toward a deeper understanding of what’s at stake and must be accomplished
Fierce, but healthy, competition
Ruthless Selection of the Best Ideas
THE BIG SHIFT (once the winning ideas are selected, everyone needs to support them and work to make them better, even if they disagree. Intel called this “disagree and commit”. Love that phrase!
Hone… until you just can’t hone no more (in other words, until you’re out of time)
SELL (People forget this one all the time. For the most part, the greatest ideas don’t meet with universal praise. You have to SELL people on them, make them believe, stand tall even as the naysayers seek to cut you down)

Throughout the above: keep your sense of humor intact, assume positive intent (if someone criticizes you, assume they’re trying to help, not hurt) and try to relax every now and then (this is when your best ideas will hit you like a freight train)

Again, apologies for my cantankerous previous comment. This blog is way too great for my petty remarks!

Jeff
.-= Jeff Shattuck´s last blog ..Stasis kills. =-.