towards patterns for creativity

Towards PatternsFor Creativity.

by Merlin Mann,Pretender.

Quick show of hands?

Fraud!(Just talking here)

Patterns whuh?

“Each pattern describes a problem which occurs over and over again in our environment, and then describes the core of the solution to that problem in such a way that you could use this solution a million times over without doing it the same way twice.”

Christopher Alexander

Recurring solutions to recurring problems.

Things that tend to work.

NameConflictResolutionUse WhenExamplesMay Contain

e.g.Parenting Pattern

Pattern Name:

“You Pick”

Conflict: Parents have to make kids do things; kids hate being bossed.And are insane.

Resolution: Let her choose an option for getting a task done; not WHETHER the task will be done.

Use When: You want to help a child do something without causing drama.

Example: “Should we wear our red jammies or our teddy bear jammies?”

May Contain: “Bedtime Ritual,” “Reading Together,” “Negotiate a Win”

NameConflictResolutionUse WhenExamplesMay Contain

Was I close?

Yeah, but.

The Myth: Creativity is a gift!From a muse!Or, whatever!

A Summerof Creative Obsession.

Twyla’s Box.

Patterns?

Get One Box

Tolerate Ambiguity

Start Scratching

Make Time Away

Okay.But, why?

Berets are not work clothes.

Creative work is still work.

Want it.Work.Get better.

Oh, right.

Macs.

So.

Terrible idea?

Next?

More reading

Smart people

Who’d use it?

Wiki?

Towards PatternsFor Creativity.

by Merlin Mann,Pretender.