Do you like creating with a structure?
I have encountered many types of artists: visual, musical, performative, etc. And within these groups, there are always the ones who feel that structure and theory stifle creativity. In this blog, I’ll tell you about 4 reasons that structure is definitely not stifling creativity. In the next, I’ll talk about theory.
Professionality
We have to talk about creativity in the first place, because what is creativity in the first place? When I think of creativity, I think of creating something out of nothing (basically), doesn’t have to be conceptually new. When creating something, you can look at the process and the result. With structure, I mean that you have a defined way of how you are creating something. In both the process and the result, it is beneficial to have structure, actually. It is a way to ensure that the process is enjoyable, because you know what to do, and it is a way to ensure quality in the result.
Many people I’ve met have said that they do not want to have a defined structure, as they want to stay free to do whatever. I’ve also always had the feeling that the person who is saying this just doesn’t know what they are doing. It is an unprofessional approach to creating, with a frustrating process and uncertain results. Especially when working with someone else, it is extremely frustrating when the other doesn’t know what is happening at any given moment. When you do not keep a structure, and something did not turn out as you wanted it, then where do you begin to improve? This is also the next point.
Improvement
Only when you know what you’re doing, it’s possible to effectively improve your process and results. Even when you don’t care about the results, which is fine, a structure helps with making the process more enjoyable. When you don’t care about the results, you probably do care about having an enjoyable experience. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, how can you make something (more) enjoyable? Of course, creativity is about self expression, and that should be the goal here. However, even if you try to learn who you are and try to express that, a structure helps with making that process smooth and enjoyable.
Communication
This point is more for people who work together and a structure will definitely help with making sure that frustrations melt away. I’m not saying that there is one and only structure, or that a detailed structure is the way to go. Just a structure, some simple process, some delegation maybe of who is doing what and when, makes the experience so much more enjoyable. I’ve experienced it many times that in a situation when there is no structure, someone got frustrated, which was completely avoidable. Make it clear what is expected of everyone and what sequence of events will take place on the detail level necessary for everyone.
Efficacy and results
Earlier, I said that even if you don’t care about the results, it is beneficial to have a structure. Imagine how much it helps when you do care about the results. Most well-known artists have a well-defined structure to practice and to creating their art. Every musician I look up to has a clear practice routine and a professional approach to recording and performing live. It is just not possible to get good, repeatable results if you do not have some structure behind it.
So…
So, I hope this blog gave you some reasons about why having a structure is beneficial. Next blog will be about theory, basically a form of structure. The one after that will go about how to set up a structure.