Creativity Information

The Elements of Creativity: Attributes Listing Method


Attribute listing is one of the best ways to generate ideas, whereby there any many parts to the problem/ challenge faced. If you are asked to generate ideas or solutions to a complex challenge, the first thing you can do is to list all the attributes of your problem.

These may include:

  • Physical

  • Mental

  • Emotional

  • Social

  • and more (depending on the complexity of the challenge)

By doing so, you can then concentrate on each attribute at a time. This will no doubt give you more peace of mind (and pulling of your hairs) when generating your ideas.

The attribute listing technique is often used in a Research & Development (R&D) department of many companies, especially those who are constantly producing innovative products to have an advantage over their competitors.

Let's go through this worked example to give you a better understanding of how attributes listing can be of help to you.

For example, if your challenge is to design a new ladies' handbag, you could list the attributes as: the physical aspects which include- shape, length, colour, materials used and on the emotional aspects-the stress some women faced of misplacing their handbags. You might choose to first tackle the emotional stress of losing one's handbag by creating a new small gadget to be placed within the handbag to sound the owner that she is moving too far away (maybe one or two metre away) from her 'treasure chest'. After that, you could work on the other attributes, one by one, be it the shape or materials used for the handbag.

Putting Your Elements to Work:

Try to generate oodles of ideas using attributes listing with these sets of challenges:

1. Design a new toy for children under 6 years old to teach them simple arithmetic. Safety is an important attribute.

2. Create a campaign to encourage people to stop smoking. (Think through the attributes: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social)

3. Set up an effective marketing plan (there are many parts to a good marketing plan: the 4 P's - Product, Price, Place and Promotion) for your new products.

Have Fun!

About The Author

Dr. Alvin Chan is a Senior Research Consultant at First Quatermain Centre of Collaborative Innovation (www.firstquatermain.com).

Please contact heartware2002@yahoo.com as a courtesy when reprinting the article online and/or offline.

bizguru88@hotmail.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Telegraph.co.uk

Ian Rush: Liverpool Lack Creativity
Goal.com, Switzerland - 2 hours ago
When he points out that Rafa Benitez's current Liverpool side lack creativity, people should probably listen to him. Speaking today after last night's draw ...
Keane On Bashing Misguided Rafa Football365.com
all 170 news articles


CNET News

Morocco fights terrorism with one ID card, "promotes" creativity ...
CNET News, CA - Dec 1, 2008
As to the artist card; it affords them a "more structured environment" in which to work and ensures "conditions necessary to promote creativity," according ...


Creativity and our life
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 20 hours ago
CREATIVITY, as held by many, can take two forms. One is invention, which has quite often been described as “one creating totally new things”. ...


Kid Tested Tuesday: Playskool Clipo Creativity Table And Figure Bucket
WPXI.com, PA - 2 hours ago
PITTSBURGH -- I loved this toy when I saw it advertised. I remember growing up and having bristle blocks. So I was very excited to try out this toy. ...


Call For Entries: Mydeco ‘Pure Creativity Competition’
TAXI Design Network, NY - 9 hours ago
The idea for Pure Creativity was born when the design team at Mydeco was chatting with Philippe Starck at his Paris office. Hugely excited about the new ...


Will new home stifle Joe Biden's creativity?
Pensacola News Journal, FL - 14 hours ago
But his creativity may be tempered at his new address on Observatory Circle. The 115-year-old white-painted brick Victorian that is the vice president's ...


Sportinglife.com

Blues agree Fahey deal
SkySports - 1 hour ago
A three-and-a-half year deal has been agreed with the dead-ball specialist who will add a touch of creativity to the club's push for promotion back to the ...
BLUES SIGN MIDFIELDER FAHEY Sportinglife.com
all 8 news articles


Tough times encourage culinary creativity
Aviation International News, NJ - Dec 1, 2008
“Tough times don’t destroy creativity,” said co-owner Paula Kraft. “They demand that you rise to the occasion with even greater creativity.”


Royal Gazette

Providing the creativity that goes into promotional materials
Royal Gazette, Bermuda - 1 hour ago
The last time you were given a promotional T-shirt or pen did you wear it with pride or stash it away in your bottom draw? That can be the difference ...


Self-discipline, creativity work together to spark new ideas for ...
Columbia Missourian, MO - Dec 1, 2008
If an artist has limitations to work within, he or she is forced to be much more creative when trying to produce something original. ...

Creativity - Google News

home | site map
© 2006