Saturation Tools

Day 4: Dwelve 2005

I covered the attitude and philosophy for the Saturation phase of the creative process. Now it's time for the practical application.

But first, I'd like to add that many of us spent way too much time here - ultimately spinning our wheels. We're super-saturated, over-saturated. Thus, going straight to incubation is often precisely what's needed.

Materials to capture inspiration and information: Stuff like a journal, butcher paper taped across an entire wall, sketch pads, music, inspirational quotes and photos to tape up around you, bulletin board, white boards, crayons, colored pencils, mind-mapping software, and the gumption to pick up the phone (or email or IM) and meet up with with total strangers. Add your suggestions in the comments...

I don't use all of these myself...I'm just brainstorming Saturation tool ideas. And the Saturation phase itself is a bit of a brainstorming time. (Mantra reminder: "Never Lose A Holy Curiosity.") Be Curious, Listen.

I do carry a journal wherever I go - yep, even to the beach, on a hike, out to dinner, on the subway station, to a meeting. Everywhere except the shower or on a run. Just for the record, I don't use mind-mapping software.

Lately, because journal pages don't have enough space and the page structure veers me towards making linear lists, I am going to try something new. I'll hang up one large wall with floor-to-ceiling butcher paper (taping together large sheets of paper works too) and jot ideas down in a more spatial manner using my own rough version of mind maps.

Examples what things I've actually done the last few days (solely for illustrative purposes):

1. Hang out at the B&N cafe - flip through books and magazines that catch my eye (break out of your "tried and true"; allowed myself to be pulled into new discoveries or back to long lost passions from another era; in other words, I had no agenda, purpose other than to be cognizant of what's grabbing my attention and jot that down thoughts the material triggers)
2. Read a few new blogs. I also like to do random clicks on "Recently Updated" Typepad blogs, or type something obscure but relevant into Technorati, Feedster or Google and see what shows up and observe any triggered ideas
3. Reading more inspirational stuff (currently The Exquisite Risk, flipping through The Art of Pilgrimage, Creativity and a few dog-eared trusty bedside companions)
4. More brainstorming, doodling and mini-mind-mapping - less complete, coherent thoughts - in my journal
5. Met this Monday with a friend of an acquaintence - a writer whom has written a novel based on his experiences on the Camino de Santiago (of significance to me...more why in another post)
6. Pinged a few people I've corresponded with in past about half-baked ideas that still hold some juice for me
7. Looking through my old "advance" journals for patterns, themes, new ideas

If you are developing a product or a service, you will definitely want to use this time to talk with potential customers (not sales-oriented but understanding burning issues oriented). If you are in a career transition, it's an excellent time for informational interviews.

People are truly some of the best resources - please don't just rely on printed, online and other media or your own thoughts alone. Make a note of conversation points that carry sparks for you.

Step 3: Get out of your bubble and capture your discoveries.

Comments

[Pat]

I have been listening to Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time from BBC radio (it is available as a podcast.) There is something about listening to a radio conversation that always frees up my mind. Maybe it is because my eyes can aimlessly wander while I listen. I get the same thing from other long form shows like Fresh Air and This American Life.