What improves creativity for you?

[megahurt]

Heroin.

[popslut]

My studio having a 2m x 2m window which looks out over mountains, olive groves and the Mediterranean Sea.

[Angstrom]

being a satellite



I read an interview with David Bowie a while back on the subject of inspiration and creativity, I just googled for it and failed - so I'll summarise.

in DB's early career he was looked at as a novelty act, he had a novelty sound and a novelty record, his career wasn't really going anywhere useful. He hung out in London on a 'cool' scene where everyone knew the score. What hairstyles to have, etc. It was all just accepted behaviour.
In the interests of trying to revive his career his manager sent him to New York, something which DB was keen to do because he was into the idea of the NY scene. This was 1968 ish.

so he goes to New York hangs out and discovers that the NY scene is very different in reality than in his imagining. Also he realises that people respond to him in NY a very odd way. Different from in London. He realises what he is when taken out of context. He's a quirky English bloke with a silly voice, he is 'eccentric'. He writes a lot of songs about being an outsider and goes back to London with them. Those were the songs that formed Hunky Dory and began to make his name as a half-serious writer.

He develops the idea of 'removing yourself' from your surroundings so that you can write about them effectively. So he starts a life of changing situation - hopping cities and mental states, altering his personality. Of course this led to a bit of a serious drug problem. Also - he ran out of 'other' places to go to and eventually became a bit lame.

but before he went lame, he was inspired
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNbt8SB1blc

[mikemc]

mental time travel and considering what ifs...

I think about where I am now, how I think and feel, and where I was and how I thought and felt at a certain time back when, and see how different and the same things are now. Then think about what if some things happen now, what if some things happened then.

[Winston]

- A hangover.

- An intense experience, perhaps something difficult to deal with.

- Hearing/watching other creative endeavors.

- sometimes even excercise.

- Good reading.

- Anger at some situation I can't do anything about.

- Interesting sounds or sound design, including new instrument or synthesis techniques/effects.

A nice setting can help too.

[pulsoc]

whales

[thefool]

I steal one of my parents cars and race with others.
the adrenaline!

well not excactly inspiring i think, but it stresses me off no matter what i do. Last year i was so fucked of the math tasks. It felt like when i was done with one i had to start on another. One night it just said BAM and i couldn't handle it anymore, until around 24 or so when i was done with it, i took one of the cars to the teacher to deliver it in the mailbox and then drove to the city border, braked to 0 and then..

[DrXparaMental]

My situation:

White 150x70cm desk.
White wall directly in front.
Flatscreen.
Mouse/Keyboard.


And I got no real creativity....I think.

I think my lack of creativity is due to the fact that I haven't got enough coloring or something and I also blame it to the absence of enough hardware midicontrollers. Of which I have only one but not used much.

What do you guys use to spark creativity? I think the feeling and direct control of your program by using a midi controller can improve alot but I'm not sure. Am considering buying a PadKontrol or the M-audio version of it. But still....not sure...

What is your creative background. Even if you are not a traditional musician (playing something other than a computer), graphic artist, basket weaver, whatever. What in life do you admire in other's creativity as well as your own? Are you into films, music (what type of music), art, etc?

[gaijin1717]

For me it's art and others' music. Certainly a nice studio environment helps - plants, art and comfort. And I have the opposite opinion of many: more natural light is better for me than dim lighting, but perhaps that's because I never have enough natural light in my apartment.

I think I'm generally "creative," but often times lack inspiration to write anything meaningful, particularly lyrics. But here's my biggest issue: I seem to only be inspired to write about negative things - almost never positive stuff. It's not that I want to be gloomy, nor do I want my music to be gloomy. I think I just take the good for granted and dismiss it without much thought...unfortunately. I'm trying to change that.

[BAKOY_MUSIC]

A little purple can haze up the white on the desk, in the brain and can create creativity

[popslut]

being a satellite



I read an interview with David Bowie a while back on the subject of inspiration and creativity, I just googled for it and failed - so I'll summarise.

in DB's early career he was looked at as a novelty act, he had a novelty sound and a novelty record, his career wasn't really going anywhere useful. He hung out in London on a 'cool' scene where everyone knew the score. What hairstyles to have, etc. It was all just accepted behaviour.
In the interests of trying to revive his career his manager sent him to New York, something which DB was keen to do because he was into the idea of the NY scene. This was 1968 ish.

so he goes to New York hangs out and discovers that the NY scene is very different in reality than in his imagining. Also he realises that people respond to him in NY a very odd way. Different from in London. He realises what he is when taken out of context. He's a quirky English bloke with a silly voice, he is 'eccentric'. He writes a lot of songs about being an outsider and goes back to London with them. Those were the songs that formed Hunky Dory and began to make his name as a half-serious writer.

He develops the idea of 'removing yourself' from your surroundings so that you can write about them effectively. So he starts a life of changing situation - hopping cities and mental states, altering his personality. Of course this led to a bit of a serious drug problem. Also - he ran out of 'other' places to go to and eventually became a bit lame.

but before he went lame, he was inspired

Great post.

[Tone Deft]

have fun and from time to time remember to hit the record button.

never take yourself seriously but know that at all times that you fucking rock and rule all.

[TITBAG]

My situation:

White 150x70cm desk.
White wall directly in front.
Flatscreen.
Mouse/Keyboard.


And I got no real creativity....I think.

I think my lack of creativity is due to the fact that I haven't got enough coloring or something and I also blame it to the absence of enough hardware midicontrollers. Of which I have only one but not used much.

What do you guys use to spark creativity? I think the feeling and direct control of your program by using a midi controller can improve alot but I'm not sure. Am considering buying a PadKontrol or the M-audio version of it. But still....not sure...

TRY A 149x70cm DESK

[evernaut]

deadlines

+1

Nothing like a bit of pressure to get the juices flowing. Even if self-imposed - although if you're as lazy as me then they don't really count.

[gjm]

I forgot trying to be creative a long time ago. I observed what situation in my daily life produced the most natural form of free thinking (being careful not to control the thought) and just make sure I do that everyday. For some people it is taking a walk. I also just stopped trying to create for the sake of creating (as a first step). I just wait, and I don't judge. In particular, I just fiddle around with actual acoustic instruments, mainly the guitar these days. Just play. Before I know it, little bits just stick together and make bigger bits. This is where the rule that creativity is made up of unequal percentages of inspiration and perspiration comes into play. Its mostly far less inspiration and far more "work."... say 10% and 90%. The persperation side of things can be deadlines, learning new musical concepts, learning new musical skills. These are just barriers to overcome, that will eventually be reused later for further creative endeavour. Its like sowing seeds, soon the will grow plants that will bare fruit. Inspiration is a spark. Creativity is mostly about work.