Enhancing creativity with fidgeting
The goal of the project was to create an applied solution to support the creative thinking of designers in the context of working from home.
ROLE
PROBLEM
Novice designers often struggle to regulate mind-wandering (attentional shifts to internally generated content) during creative work. Because enhancing creativity with a product is a novel problem space, it required agile, iterative cycles where the problem and solution co-evolved. Existing solutions mainly support bodily awareness through supplementary objects, leaving space for new product opportunities.
RESULTS
67% of participants noticed positive effect on their creative thinking and performance on the task
Getting control over attention — is key to enhancing creativity
Most of the negative effects of mind-wandering are associated with its spontaneous nature. In conclusion, individual creativity can be enhanced with deliberate mind-wandering (with intention).
Research through Design
The RtD process uncovered feasible ways to steer attention during creative tasks. Solution spaces were discovered using LEGO Serious Play sessions. The selected intervention concept was focused on fidgeting interaction, as the most fruitful and effective.
Tested interactions and verifying the effects!
The product's effects on creativity were tested in an experimental setting that simulated working from home. Participants acknowledged the positive effect the product had in helping them overcome being stuck and noted that it provided an invitation to be picked up, working as a “reminder to take a break” (P4).
“If you need a break, I can say it works both ways… to stimulate ideas and clear your mind.” (P3). Interaction with a product stimulated openness to distant memories and experiences, providing a bridge to creative and feasible ideas.
