273 posts tagged with creativity.
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Hobbies that lend themselves well to creative/sentimental gifts?
I don't have any particularly creative hobbies. With my free time while I'm completely alone in quarantine, I would like to explore and hopefully pick up a new hobby. I'm especially interested in a hobby which lends itself well to nice sentimental gifts. [more inside]
Interrogating the archive
Lately I've come into possession of the massive personal audio archive of a deceased underground music figure from decades ago. As I've been making my way through it, it's got me thinking about how and why we archive -- and I'm thinking specifically about folks who are creating a body of work, not just the collecting of unrelated personal effects by your average person over a lifetime. It feels like something that's been discussed a lot in the literary and art worlds, but I just don't have anything to hand. (I should specify that I'm looking for philosophical essays, books, etc., on the subject - writers who have tackled the impulses behind such archives, not just catalogues raisonné or descriptions of the archives themselves. This article is one way into the subject.)
Help me think of a tech job that isn't mind-numbingly boring?
I am a PhD student with a couple of years before I finish. I don't anticipate wanting to apply for postdocs/professorships, etc. after I graduate. I talk with some people who have gone into tech after finishing PhDs in my field, and the work they do sounds like it would really depress me. My research involves doing stuff with a bunch of buzzwords: 'scientific computing', 'machine learning' with 'deep neural network architectures', 'data visualization', statistical modeling, very much 'big data' kind of stuff. Is there a niche for me to work that will be gratifying? [more inside]
What should I do with my life and newfound freedom?
I went "straight through" from college to med school to residency and the training highway is ending. Phew! I can choose to do whatever I want with my time! What? How? [more inside]
More books like Free Play?
I've just finished Stephen Nachmanovitch's Free Play, and I found it's mix of discussion of the creative process with a pinch of self help, and an overall pretty gentle tone really helpful. I'd like to read more things like that. [more inside]
Deck of cards with creative problem-solving prompts
Years ago I remember a deck of cards that had prompts on them for approaching a problem differently. This was a physical deck of cards you could buy, but there was also a fairly classy web page that would turn up random draws for the deck. [more inside]
What's next in this this list songs?
I write fiction and like to have a song on repeat in my ear for hours and hours when I'm writing. Having the emotional swell of music is really helpful, but there's some mystical unknown thing that makes a song work for me whereas another "similar" song won't work. Maybe there's something in common I don't see. I'd love recommendations! [more inside]
And the wall is blank
I used to be very creative, but for the past few years, my mind feels like it's hitting a wall when I try to think of stuff. What is causing this blank, and how do I go back to where I was? [more inside]
How can I make the most of a solo creative retreat over a long weekend?
Next weekend (Friday through Sunday) I’ll be going off by myself for a solo creative retreat. Writing, drawing, painting, and reading are at the top of the agenda. Maybe some journaling and reflecting as well? Anyway, wondering if you’ve done something similar and have any thoughts on how to maximize this great opportunity. Thanks!
What is your creative/artistic hobby/outlet and why do you like it?
What do you, artsy person, do and why do you like it? What's your story? Do you paint? Computer-based art? Cast resin? Topiary gardens? Create and run ARGs? Translate obscure previously-untranslated poetry? Tell me about it. Especially if it's something less common. [more inside]
Mozart, asked how his music come to him, said all of a piece. Y/N ?
Overheard this, want to run it down, so as to get it right. Mozart, when asked did he write piano first, or violin, according to this snatch of conversation overheard, Mr. Mo' said something to the effect that it all came to him at once, all of a piece. The guy is fascinating, I love to read his quotes, I don't recall hearing this before. Help? [more inside]
There are only five original ideas in any century. Who said it?
I thought this was an Oscar Wilde quote but internet searching is making me doubt this as I'm finding nothing.
Is the quote correct? Who said it? Am I misremembering it?
Can you all help me attribute this quote and if not remembered correctly tell me what it is instead?
Creative boost needed
I work in a creative role and need to come up with ideas and solutions, which has always been something I've been pretty good at. But lately, I just feel very uninspired. What do you do to boost your creativity when you're low on ideas?
Have you reconnected to childlike storytelling play?
I lost my ability to enjoy telling made-up stories to myself, and I want it back. Do you have any advice/tips/success stories? [more inside]
Did I ever really know any of this stuff? Can I ever really know it?
There are a number of things I learned in school that I never really "understood," like certain aspects of grammar in foreign languages, or theorems, or programming concepts. Maybe I transiently or superficially understood things, or got by with pattern recognition or test-taking skills... I understood things enough to do fine on the test but not enough to be creative with those concepts. Have you ever revisited high school or college topics later in life? How did that experience compare? [more inside]
Discussion of artistic processes from marginalised communities
I LOVED this behind-the-scenes documentary of Eugene Lee Yang's coming-out dance video and especially appreciated the discussion mid-video about the trickiness of getting people engaged in such a personal project as well as doing all the outside logistical work in addition to the creative work. What are some other sources (writing, video, audio, anything) of other creatives talking about similar matters, especially those from marginalised communities?
Help me find an interactive art or toy for my nightstand!
I have room on my nightstand for something "fun." I have plenty of photos and figurines and knick-knacks throughout my house, so I thought this item could be a chance for some interactivity and creativity -- something to inspire me when getting up in the morning or to fuel my creativity before sleep. [more inside]
usesless and lovely
Can you think of a term, concept, and/or framework for creating things where the output is incidental, but the process itself is what is important? I can think of lots of related things - the concept of a wicked problem, Simone Giertz's Sh*tty Robots, DIY ethos, "fail better" - but they all are missing elements of what's in my head... [more inside]
Say Cheese
My family (4 adults in their 30s, 2 adults in their 70s and 3 kids - 3,4 and 6) are going on a Disney Cruise and have purchased the photo package, which means someone will take our picture many many times all week long. How can we make these photos more interesting? [more inside]
mermaidcafe is creating creative survival
I’ve wanted to do a Patreon for my writing and art, and I think I’ve narrowed my focus to a theme that really excites me. I’d love to get feedback and ideas for fine-tuning it/figuring out reward structure. [more inside]
My creative mojo is back, and I can't get off the couch.
I recently surmounted an enormous creative block which put me off-course for nearly two decades. This is hugely exciting. Since doing so, however, I've fallen into a pretty cavernous state of lethargy. This is hugely problematic. [more inside]
A humanities-based school in India in response to STEM schooling
I came across a brief article once about a group of businessmen in (India?) who were sponsoring a humanities-based college for their engineers in order to foster creativity and thereby increase their competitiveness. Am I imagining this? Can you help me find it?
Article about developing taste as a prerequisite to developing skill?
Within the past couple of years, I read an article about building skills in creative fields. The main point was that you start by developing taste, and then there is a period where your own work falls short of your standards, but with enough effort you can reach a point where you are satisfied with your own work. Anyone know the source?
are you there, me? it's me, me
What are some scientific, non-woo explanations of the role of the subconscious mind in creativity and memory, as well as exercises for getting more "in touch" with the subconscious? [more inside]
Help me embrace being bad at hobbies (without judging myself)
I want to start using my free time to explore more creative hobbies, like drawing and writing (or, ideally, combining these things and making short comics). I've always wanted to make things, and right now I spend way too much of my free time mindlessly refreshing social media and reading the news compulsively. But I'm scared to try -- I'm having a hard time accepting the feelings of anxiety and inadequacy that come from being a beginner at something, and also wrestling with feelings of guilt over doing creative things. [more inside]
Figures "beginning/finding success", a little later in life?
Hi, Metafilter.
Can anyone think of some figures in creative work, or any great works, who discovered momentum, or notoriety, a little later in life?
E.G. - Just a couple,
Quentin Tarantino, a box office clerk, in his thirties, before entering a more intense focus, in film.
Philip Glass drove a cab, in NYC, until he was forty-two, while composing/conducting. [more inside]
I’m a job hopper... but is that really so bad (for me specifically)?
I’m having a bit of a job / life crisis and would love some outside insight beyond just ranting to my husband. I am not good at office jobs and feel like I am broken. I have had two “real” office jobs, and invariably they have ended the same way: about a year in, I get frustrated, wildly bored, and start making moves to leave. Advice from any other creative types who’ve struggled with this same issue would be particularly useful!! [more inside]
It's all been done?
What is an appropriate amount of due diligence when exploring a creative project, i.e. how much is an artist expected to research existing work so that they're not plagiarizing an idea? And how does one keep from getting bogged down in that process? [more inside]
Looking for some happy creative projects
I'd like to do as many as possible lighthearted creative projects this year, so I'm looking for (adult) project ideas/tutorials. I thought making a bunch of critters would be fun, robots, aliens, dinosaurs, monsters, fairies, octopuses, etc...non-critter project ideas welcome also! [more inside]
craft pack for kids
I buy gifts for a local kiddo every holiday season. This year the nine-year-old girl I was assigned asked for craft supplies. I want to put together a kit of amazing, fun stuff for her to get creative with! But I am at a loss, and all the "craft buckets" seem lacking and sad and full of only pom poms and googley eyes (which are great but kind of have limited creative range)! Assuming a $50 budget for craft supplies, help me put together an AMAZING group of gifts to make my very own craft bucket for her. [more inside]
How To Get My Right On?
I feel trapped in my left brain and have been since birth, basically. But I’m tired of it. Are there effective ways to achieve better lateralization of my brain hemispheres so that I can unlock some (hopefully latent) creativity? [more inside]
Making-of documentaries
The other night, I was scrolling through my Hulu looking for things to watch, and I found The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds from Showtime. Serendipitously, I'd just been talking to my wife about what a genius Brian Wilson is, and you know how, in writing workshops, they say to "show, don't tell"? Well, this one really showed. I'd like to find some others that are similar. [more inside]
Where is this image from?
I love this image of the stars in the northern and southern hemispheres. Apparently it's French and from a 1922 antique book. That's all I know. I'm guessing it's available somewhere on many of the free image repositories on the Internet, but I have been unable to find it. [more inside]
Creativity and Distraction
I'm fascinated by this episode of Brain Craft arguing that it's distraction, not deep focus, that boosts creativity. Besides riding public transportation or playing improvisational jazz, I'm curious what suggestions folks here may have for other 'distracted' or 'spontaneous' activities that could create an ideal breeding ground for creative brainstorming. [more inside]
Is there a "Couch to 5k" for creativity?
I'm in my early thirties and I don't think I've ever been creative. I just don't think I have much imagination for those kinds of things. But it's something I think I'd like in my life, and I'm a little bewildered where to start. Is creativity or imagination something I can learn (or be taught), or is it more innate?
An work of art a day keeps the doctor away, so help me find them.
Is there a Twitter feed that posts a variety of works of art regularly? I'm trying to inspire myself to be more artistic, and a part of these efforts is to expose myself to art that I might not see otherwise. I'm on Twitter on and off throughout the day, so I thought that a Twitter feed that posts images of works of art would be helpful. I'm particularly interested in modern art, collages and mixed media. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Being a Breaker instead of a Maker?
I'm curious if there's any information about people who have trouble with creating something wholly new but instead seems much better at modifying or creating by assembling parts of things they already know. [more inside]
What are some ways to get inspired to write music again?
From the 90s to the early 00s (roughly my teens and twenties), I was a prolific composer and producer of music of all sorts of genres. Eventually I started doing it for my day job and all my creativity went away. Now it's 10 years later, and I haven't really done anything in about 10 years, and I'm getting desperate. [more inside]
I love to make stuff. Why should I bother making stuff?
Help me make sense of why I continue to make stuff. [more inside]
putting classical music chops to good use in different types of music?
I find it hard to be creative with music [more inside]
Less Fallout 4, More Hobbies (Teen Edition)
I work with a 17 year old boy who's smart, inquisitive and really bored. The kid needs some hobby ideas; things that keep his brain busy and ideally where he creates something.
Ideally, this needs to be a hobby or craft that he can do indoors on his own consistently, the materials are at hand, it requires some focus, creativity and thinking skills, something he can start and stop at his leisure and he can do it alone. Think Legos but for a young man. So, not martial arts or scouting or geocaching or volunteering or getting a job or robotics. [more inside]
Finding one's muse
What are some of the best strategies - and best practices - for rousing one's creativity? [more inside]
How to furnish a room to enhance creativity, specifically songwriting?
My wife is a singer-songwriter who typically composes and rehearses in our bedroom. The room is a decent size, with a bed, love seat, small desk and bay window. [more inside]
How do I find creative collaboration?
I have a lot of creative interests and hobbies, and I love to collaborate with others, both virtually and in-person. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find people who are interested in collaborating and willing to follow through (perhaps the bigger problem). I feel like there must be communities, online or otherwise, that help facilitate collaboration, but I don’t know where to go. More below the fold. [more inside]
What public figure has a great office in the New York area?
What public creative person (defined pretty broadly, but hopefully at least somewhat famous) has a really cool office in the NYC area? We're looking for someone with a rich, interesting-looking space, interesting tools and great stories. Examples might be say, magazine writer Gay Talese, who works in his townhouse in Manhattan surrounded by memorabilia from all his past stories, or the honchos at Pixar who have special secret hideaways and whatnot. (Definitely looking for personal workspaces, not big companies with fancy buildings and foosball tables.)
Rewarding Leisure
I want to spend my evenings/weekends making, rather than consuming. Help me plan to do that. I’m looking for examples of activity that is creative, enjoyable and of some value to others. [more inside]
Where can I find a list of monthly internet challenges?
Nanowrimo, Inktober, One Book July...where can I find a list of such challenges so that I don't miss them next time? [more inside]
Part-time jobs for creative people
I'm looking for part-time jobs that I might not have heard of or know exist. I am sensitive to the environment I work in and I want to work with people who have other creative pursuits and have a part time job to make ends meet (or alone is fine too). [more inside]
How do I become more creative, especially in technical work?
I'm entering what is probably my last year of college, and as I look towards my career plans, I'm worried that I'm not creative enough to do what I want to do. How do I fix this? Special snowflake details follow. [more inside]
Right-brained hobbies for chronic fatigue?
Two and a half months ago, I came down with what is apparently chronic fatigue syndrome (I know that you need six months before an official diagnosis, but the signs are all there, unfortunately). I am a researcher struggling to work part-time, and even reading for pleasure has become difficult. The fatigue seems to be primarily triggered by sustained and/or intense mental effort or concentration. [more inside]