The Creative Method v2

The Creative Method and Systems v2 a toolkit for the age of ideas The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

@jted Jason Theodor Creative Director The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Creative Method & Systems — Chaos & Creativity edition the Creative Method and systems

I facilitates ideas. I direct the creation of communications so that they solve a speciﬁc client problem or need using the appropriate digital channels, and then I oversee the output of designers, art directors, copywriters, information architects, user experience experts, programmers, planners and marketing scientists, all the while keeping the bigger vision in mind. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

[crickets] The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Creative Method & Systems is my attempt to describe creativity The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity means not copying. Jacques Maximin, chef The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity is effective novelty Michele & Robert Root-Bernstein, Psychology Today The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity is coming up with something new by letting go of convention. Kenneth Heilman, neurologist The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity is the ability to restructure one’s understanding of a situation in a non-obvious way. Dr. John Kounios The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity is kind of like pornography— you know it when you see it. Dr. Rex Jung The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Unlike many phenomena in science, there is no single, authoritative perspective or deﬁnition of creativity. Wikipedia The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Scientiﬁc Method Focus Observe Hypothesize Experiment Evaluate The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Scientiﬁc Method is expressed from the outside in, trying to understand existing things, and put them in a tidy box. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creativity is not like that. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Creative Method is expressed from the inside out, trying to make new things, and forget there ever was a box. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

It’s about the ACTION of creating something that never existed. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

It’s about the CONNECTION of this act to our culture and humanity The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

It’s about DEVIATION from the default path by forging a new one. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Scientiﬁc Method vs Creative Method Two very different approaches th od Creativ S cientiﬁc Me e Metho d Focus Focus Observe Act Hy pothesize Connect E xperiment Deviate Evaluate Evaluate The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Recipe for Creative Success: Have a focus. Just do it Find meaning Think different Stay on target. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Creative Method Preparation Phase Definition of Problem or Goal Focus Methods used to provide insight and direction Induction Phase Brainstorming Quantity Action Methods used to break barriers Analysis Phase Organizing Quality Ideas Connection Methods used to strengthen bonds Synthesis Phase Creating a uniQue Expression Deviation Methods used to escape default settings Evaluation Phase Judge and Purge Ideas Against Focus Creative Success Meter used to rate and rank creative work The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Elements of Science Observation Hypothesis Experimentation The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Elements of Creativity Action Connection Deviation do glue skew The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Action ‘do’ Quantity breaking barriers leads to simple, smart, well-crafted work Pablo Picasso created over 50,000 works The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Connection ‘glue’ Quality strengthening bonds leads to familiar, resonant, shareable work Pablo Picasso’s Guernica depicts the anguish of civil war The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Deviation ‘skew’ uniQueness forging new paths leads to original, ﬂexible, challenging work Pablo Picasso’s Bull Sketches go in unexpected directions The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Elements of Creativity Put the three elements together and you have magical powers Connection Action magic Deviation The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Not all of us have these 3 elements in equal measure The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthening Weaknesses bash barriers, strengthen ties, take unmarked paths barriers superficiality default The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthening Weaknesses bash barriers, strengthen ties, take unmarked paths Some of us have a hard time getting things started. There are simply too many barriers in our way. We are weak on action. barriers superficiality default The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthening Weaknesses bash barriers, strengthen ties, take unmarked paths Some of us have a hard time giving things real meaning. We focus on the superﬁcial instead of the fundamental. We are weak on connection. barriers superficiality default The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthening Weaknesses bash barriers, strengthen ties, take unmarked paths Some of us have a hard time being original. We default to status quo, the ‘normal’ way of doing things. We are weak on deviation. barriers superficiality default The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

What are your strengths & weaknesses? I have identiﬁed 8 general creative types. Which one are you? Let’s take a quick test. Get out a pen & paper* *If you don’t have a pen & paper, see “Capture, Catalogue, Review” in the Focus section. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Creative Type Analyzer which creative type are you? Taker Mimic Empath Crazy Dreamer Outsider Producer Maker The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

1. When you see great creative work you: a) Immediately start creating something b) Take it all in, but do nothing. c) Ponder its intrinsic meaning d) Imagine how you would have done it differently. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

2. The most important thing about my creative work is: a) That I’m doing it b) Nothing — it’s not a priority c) That it resonates with other people d) That nobody has ever done it before The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

3. At the start of a new project you: a) Never have difﬁculty getting started b) Give up because you don’t really know what to do c) Do a lot of research (you <3 Wikipedia) d) Experiment with a large variety of options The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

4. Which statement(s) do you identify strongly with: a) I always have a creative project on the go b) I prefer to relax by watching TV c) I ﬁnd it easy to empathize with others d) If people knew all of my ideas they would probably lock me up The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

5. Choose all that apply (answer truthfully!): a) I usually ﬁnish what I start b) I’m not a very creative person c) I am very interested in other races, cultures and religions d) I wear ‘strange’ like a badge of honour The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

6. Choose all that apply: a) I make many, many versions of my art before I’m satisﬁed b) I’m just glad to get a project over with so I can watch a game on the Television c) I’m never happy until a project ‘feels’ right d) If something I’ve made has been done before, I change it or set it on ﬁre The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Add up your totals: a=___ b=___ c=___ d=___ Now subtract b from a, c and d: a-b=___ c-b=___ d-b=___ Your creative type: If your total for a letter is 0, 1, 2 or 3 use a lowercase letter (a, c, or d). If your total is 4, 5, or 6 than use an uppercase letter (A, C, or D) ___ ___ ___ a or A c or C d or D The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Your creative type: ___ ___ ___ a or A c or C d or D a c d ___ ___ ___ a C D ___ ___ ___ Taker Dreamer A c d ___ ___ ___ A c D ___ ___ ___ Mimic Outsider a C d ___ ___ ___ A C d ___ ___ ___ Empath Producer a c D ___ ___ ___ A C D ___ ___ ___ Crazy Maker The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The 8 Creative Types Taker Mimic Empath Crazy acd Acd aCd acD Dreamer Outsider Producer Maker aCD AcD ACd ACD The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Taker watches gameshows a c d A Taker just consumes what is put in front of him. He is rarely interesting in creating anything but a sandwich. (eg. most North Americans) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Mimic mimic A c d A Mimic can copy anything, but doesn’t understand a work’s greater signiﬁcance. He has a hard time coming up with ideas on his own. (eg. Counterfeiter) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Empath more than a feeling a C d An Empath has an intimate grasp of culture and the human condition, but cannot translate this into concrete or original ideas. (eg. That person who cries at parties) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Crazy mr out of left field a c D A Crazy is all over the place. She is constantly thinking, but her strange ideas have no focus and are very hard to relate to. She never ﬁnishes anything she starts. (eg. Your cousins kid) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Dreamer nothing but a dreamer a C D A Dreamer is full of wonderful, creative ideas but has a very difﬁcult time ﬁnishing what they start. He is often too intimidated by reality and prefers the warm solace of his mind. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Outsider always looking in A c D The Outsider is disconnected from culture either through choice or afﬂiction, but this doesn’t stop him from creating large quantities of strange, inaccessible works. (eg. Wesley Willis, Henry Darger) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Producer get ‘er done A C d A Producer is very good at making things happen and creating things people like, even if they aren’t very original. Her work is often described as ‘churned out’. (eg. Danielle Steel, Robert Bateman) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Maker busy making cool stuff you’ll like A C D A Maker is a rare and balanced artist who is proliﬁc, relevant, and original. (eg. Lady Gaga, Picasso) The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthen your weakest elements. Build creative teams by combining creative strengths of individuals. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Strengthening Weaknesses fight barriers, fight superficiality, fight default routinize entangle meander The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

But before we tackle the elements individually, you can strengthen all your creative elements by working on Focus. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Focus ‘cue’ The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Chance favours the prepared mind. Louis Pasteur The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Capture Catalogue Review The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Capture Carry a fast, omnipresent, accessible capturing device. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Capture Plane hits Truck, Guatemala, 1976 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Catalogue File all ideas to make them findable and useful. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Catalogue Piles vs Stacks The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Review Appraise your ideas regularly. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Review Ideas have a shelf life. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Focus a creative brief in 4 parts Key Message What is the most important thing to convey? What Who Why is the challenge? is this for? do this? cha$enge statement target audience purpose statement The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Key Message The Creative Method and Systems can help you be a more creative person. WHAT: Challenge Statement Deﬁne creativity. Help others identify their creative strengths and weaknesses. Provide tools for improving and enabling creativity. WHO: Target Anyone intent on making interesting original things. Could be an artist, musician, art director, designer, writer, entrepreneur, investment banker, inventor. WHY: Purpose statement To inspire and enable better creative output in the universe. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Darkroom Studies show that people are better prepared for insight into a problem after a short mental break. In this era of ubiquitous connectivity, email, IMs, and social media saturation it does your brain well to reboot on occasion. 1. Find a dark, relaxed space and mute all your equipment. 2. Close your eyes. 3. Concentrate on breathing deeply 4. Ignore your own thoughts as if they were clouds. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

How to BS* Better oto: ‘Playingw ithbrushes’ a simple guide to better *brainstorming flickr ph d) tickies, foo ns, paper, s ug h sup plies (pe the group on Bring eno ilitator to keep ro up optio n) ne utral Fac l participation (g A ppoint a raw out ful s d deadline task and h te immedia of urgency bursts wit alse sense in short create a f Work to ju dgement (tim eboxing) n sorship & : reser ve ce . ALL ideas B end them Get out d on them. ideas. Buil Creat e lots of e verything Capture The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

How to BS* Better a simple guide to better *brainstorming The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Types of BS* Quantity, Quality, and uniQueness Ideation (induction) Brainstorming for Quantity Problem Solving (analysis) Connecting & Grouping Quality Ideas Innovation (synthesis) Pushing Ideas into uniQue Territory The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

‘do’ The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Action is about doing. The act of creation. It is about learning how to fail well. It is a journey of ten-thousand steps. It is moving forward. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

If Action is about doing, than the weakest of us— the Empaths, the Crazies, and the Dreamers— need to break our inertia and build up momentum. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Common barriers: Time Doubt/Fear Procrastination Distraction The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

To break down barriers you need one of these. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Barrier vs Routine Pesky barriers are resistant to random attacks Barrier 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Barrier vs Routine But a barrier cannot hold up to a persistent routine Routine 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Systems The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s. William Blake The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

David Allen’s System getting things done The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Scott Belsky’s System the action method The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Twyla Tharp’s System a cardboard box gre at ide as The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Ben Franklin’s System Focus & Reflection The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Once you break through your barriers (or get around them, or use them) you can use that momentum to improve your craft. Action begets genius. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

10,000 hours is equivalent to roughly 3 hours a day, or 20 hours a week, of practice over 10 years… No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time. Malcolm Gladwell quoting Daniel Levitin The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

As you put in the hours of doing… Your work becomes simpler to execute, and to explain due to your increased exposure. Your work becomes smarter as you learn best practices from previous failures. Your work becomes well-crafted because of the sheer time put against it. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Gladwell Genius Development Tracker Use this handy dandy chart for the next decade. Print on non-yellowing acid-free paper. Only 9083 more hours to go! The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Action Methods The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

focused on quantity break inertia aid in ideation provide variety The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Streaming “Just do it.” Don’t think, just do. No judgement, no self-censorship, no hesitation, no stopping until the allocated time is up. 1. Start a creative exercise. 2. Don’t judge, censor, hesitate. 3. Don’t let yourself stop until the time is up, usually 10 minutes to an hour. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

When I [hear] the word “stream” uttered with such a revolting primness, what I think of is urine and not the contemporary novel. James Joyce on the Stream of Consciousness writing method The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

10 Ideas in 10 Minutes™ This exercise is a great way to push over the barriers of time, procrastination and distraction in one concentrated sprint of ideation. 1. Block off 10 minutes of uninterrupted time and start the clock 2. Write one or more ideas every minute for 10 minutes straight 3. Every idea counts and you must write down something even if it is ‘bad’ or doesn’t make sense The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

10 Ideas in 10 Minutes Ways to Illustrate Creative Elements The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Law of 1% Mass quantity eventually yields quality. Helps build up Connection and Deviation skills as well, because it forces you to dig deeper to find stronger connections, and to forge new paths to find more ideas. 1. Spend the time to write every single idea you can think of around the focus. Then think of more. 2. Exhaust all possibilities, then think of more. 3. When you get to 100 ideas (per person) you can stop. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. Thomas A. Edison The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Law of 1% I am impressed photography with what happens when someone stays in the same place and you took the same picture over and over and it would be different, every single frame. Annie Leibovitz, photographer The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

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Christ #241: Sir Mix-a-Lot #242: The Nine Doctor Whos #243: Lord Winston Two-Monocles #244: The Freewheelin' Barry Sin #245: Diego the Spark-Spitter #246: American Citizen Zane Pain #247: Abraham, the Secret Collector of Decorative China #248: Linty Sullivan, the Lint-Collector #249: Socks Monster #251: Pappy Churchill #252: The Young Churchill #253: The Young Churchill's Hated Bride #254: Churchill-Lover Phineas Redfish #255: Crispus T. Muzzlewitt #256: Stain-Sucker Duncan #257: Dick the Candy Dandy #258: Albuteral Inhaler Preson McWeak #259: Longtime Listener, First-Time Caller #260: Mastiff Mama #261: Tennessee Ernie Dietz #262: Sharkey, the Secret Cop #263: Gooseberry Johnson, Head Brain of the Hobosphere #264: Weekend-Cicular Deborah #265: Marcus Chickenstock #266: Stunted Newton #267: Magnus Shortwave #268: U.S. Fool #269: Manatee the Railyard Toreador #270: Utah Manfred Succor-Munt #271: Laura Delite #272: Edwin Winnipeg #273: Eyepatch Resse Andiron #274: Tom False-Lips Real-Teeth #275: Fabulon Darkness #276: Cricket-Eating Charles Digges #277: Pally McAffable, Everybody's Friend #278: Sully Straightjacket #279: Half-Dollar Funk Nelson #280: Whitman Sampler #281: Chili-Mix Wilma Bensen #282: Sting, the Glowing Blade #283: Professor Challenger #284: Lil' Shorty Longhorn #285: Rumpshaker Phil #286: Swing State Myron #287: Alistair Crowley, the Devil #288: Gutthrower Sy Salt #289: Sweetback Barney, the Dilettante #290: The Car-Knocker Killer #291: The Chamberlain #292: The Emperor #293: The Ritual-Master #294: The Garthim-Master #295: The Scientist #296: The Gourmand #297: The Slave-Master #298: The Treasurer #299: The Scroll Keeper #300: The Ornamentalist #301: Captain Slick-Talk #302: Sackfist, the Tapdancing Trombo #303: Souvenir-Selling Mlodinow #304: Blind Buck and "Woozy," the Invisible Seeing-Eye Dog #305: Roundhouse Farter #306: Red Ball Pnutz #307: Fake Cockney Accent Alan Strippe #308: Air and Whiskey Dale McGlue #309: Johnny RC Airplane #310: Narcotic Morgan Suds #311: Sir Francis Drank #312: Mahayana Mike #313: Miniyana Geoffrey #314: Three-Bean Otz #315: Maury the Monsoon #316: Czech Czarlie Czill #317: Sssssssssssssssss, the Hisser #318: Thanatos Koch #319: Henry Eatsmelts #320: Modem-Sniffer Gunderson #321: Half-Albino Alejandro #322: Gluttonous-Slim #323: Ragweed-Allergic Matt #324: Amorous Luminous Dirk #325: Moray Eel Ken Elmer #326: The Railbender #327: Antonio the Ombudsman #328: Karl Solenoid IV #329: Czar King Rex the Glorious Leader #330: Andy Bunkum #331: Plastic-Moustache Mortimer Tall #332: Samuel Gel Insole #333: Lemuel Gel Insole #334: Amanda Until #335: Crispy Whiskery #336: Robert Louis Stevenson, the Pirate #337: Hobo Overload #338: Leopard Print Steven Kane #339: Astonishing Shaun Eyelash #340: Billy Creak Knees #341: Owlie #342: Anwar, the Bionic #343: Reasonably Priced Motel Resse Unger #344: Ribery Dana #345: Cranberry Sauce Oppenheimer #346: Nancified Frederick #347: The Loon #348: Itinerant Jane #349: Holy Hannah Hottentot-Smythe #350: Fleabottle Boone #351: Amazin' Jack Caroo #352: Stupefying P, the Riddle-Maker #353: Todd Flaky-Palms #354: Waspwaist Fritz #355: Judge Roughneck #356: Slam Dance Dooze #357: Mariah Duckface, the Beaked Woman #358: Count Mesmerize #359: Sonny-Boy Oedipus Acre #360: Pick Mama Susan Xavier #361: Chelsea Bacon #362: Archie Axe #363: Sally Hoot-Hoot #364: Mr. Pendleton #365: Saves-Receipts Dave #366: Sir Walter British #367: Elmer, the Crankscout #368: Golden Neck #369: Marinated Alex Pons #370: El Boot #371: Shapeshifting Demon #372: Jeremiah Tip Top #373: Amanda CeeCee Stobelight #374: Irving Alva Edison, Inventor of the Hobophone #375: Leather Apron #376: Lead Apron #377: Foil Apron #378: Burnt Goathead #379: Saint Sorryass #380: Overly Familiar Fung #381: Chalmers, the Bridge Champ #382: Elephantine McMoot #383: Neekerbeeker Perry Toenz #384: Teattime BB Stiles #385: Coalie T #386: Hubbel "I Predicted Lindy Hop" Deerblind #387: Hubie Hewitt, the Broadway Legend #388: Huge Crybaby McWeepy #389: Poo-Knickers Elias #390: Elffriend Weingarten #391: Forktongue Nigel Fork #392: Woodeye Apfel #393: Hairlip Mikhail #394: Solid First Draft Patton Taylor #395: Prettynickels, the Lamb #396: Not-Only But-Also Pete #397: Pentheif Hickock #398: La Grande Mel #399: Applebee O'Bennigan McFridays #400: Ladry Jerry Lardo #401: Low-Carb Aleks Stovepipe #402: Hugo Stares #403: Eldred Splinters #404: Oliver, the Train-Oyster #405: Pring, Ultralord of the Hobo Jungle #406: Utz, the Crab Chip #407: Salt-and-Pepper Chest #408: Beverly Hills Buntz #409: Mississippi Barry Phlegm #410: Matter-Eater Brad #411: 49-State Apthorp, the Alaska-Phobe #412: New Hampshire Todd #413: "Taxachusetts" Glenn #414: Hydrocephalic Jones #415: Vermont "Greenmountain Boy" Phil Marijuana #416: Alaska Mick the Crabber #417: Arizona Ludwig #418: California Ainsley Shortpants #419: Collegeboy Brainiac, the Hobo Einstein #420: Dr. Zizmor #421: Silas Swollentoe (2 illustrations) #422: Slimneck Holden Fop #423: Aspiring Jaster #424: Illinois Obama #425: Sammy Austere #426: New Mexico Anselm Turquoise-Eater #427: Caboose-Fouling Ferris Ntz #428: Prayerful Stan, the Bent-Knee Yahoo #429: Four-Fisted Jock Socko #430: Buttery-Cheeks Anton #431: Shadow ("Blinky") Preston #432: Godigisel the Vandal #433: Gunderic Godigiselson #434: Panzo the Spiral-Cut Ham #435: Smoke-Collecting Reg #436: Hot Gnome Jimmy Jackson #437: Pontius Cornsilk-Heart #438: Sanfor Who Lacks Fingerprints #439: Treesap-Covered N. Magruder #440: Thor Hammerskold, the Mexican #441: Bingo-Balls Nick Chintz #442: Bleedingtoe the Barefoot 'Bo #443: Hondo "Whatever That Lizard Is That Walks on Water" #444: Salami Sunshine #445: Fourteen-Bindelstick Frank #446: Oregon Brucie Shunt #447: Pirandello, the Many-Bearded #448: Quinn and His Quaker Oats Box Drum #449: Fatneck Runt #450: my-e-hobo.com #451: The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

The Law of 1% 700 Hobo Names jasontheod or.com

‘glue’ The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Connection is the ‘glue’, the meaning, that bonds the fabric of our culture, of our emotions, of our humanity. It is imagination and empathy. It is the threading of things together. It is the right pieces to make a greater whole. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

If Connection is about bonding, than the weakest of us— the Mimics, the Crazies, and the Outsiders— need to get past the superﬁcial, the anti-social, and explore deeper meaning. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Common bonding agents: Imagination Empathy History Culture The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Trendy vs Legendary Thin shallow (superficial) content cannot compete longterm with rich deep content. Trendy 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Trendy vs Legendary Thin shallow (superficial) content cannot compete longterm with rich deep content. Legendary 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

vs The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

As you strengthen the bonds… Your work is familiar because it contains universal truths. Your work is resonant as it taps into basic human emotion. Your work is shareable by virtue of being a great story. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Connection Methods The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

focus on quality link ideas strengthen the message tell great stories The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Connect-the-Thoughts Choose a focus.What comes to mind? Write these words down and connect them to the focus. Now what do those words remind you of? Try to exhaust either your brain or the available space. Explore the edges for more interesting, connected stories or threads.Works with The Law of 1% 1. Pick a focus 2. Connect that focus to a few other ideas 3. Each idea might branch out into new ideas. 4. Follow each thread until you ﬁnd something unexpected The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Connect-the-Thoughts Connect-the-Thoughts The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentometry The imprecise geometry of rabbit holes.We all go off on tangents sometimes. Connect the thoughts is about controlled connections but sometimes we jump from idea to idea, especially online: clicking from link to link to link as we do ‘research’.This is also called a rabbit hole, perhaps after the hole in Alice in Wonderland that’s full of random objects and feels completely endless. Tangentagon Tangentagram The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentagon Natural progression.To make tangents useful you have to tie them up and make them eat their own tail. If done correctly it can become a great story that makes you look quite clever. 1. Begin with a research topic or focus. 2. At every juncture, or tangent, capture it. 3. Ask yourself if it relates back to the original topic or focus. 4. If it does, connect it to create a closed loop, a strange wandering story that doubles back on itself. Tangentagon 5. If it doesn’t, keep going. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentagon Gravitons and Alchemy focus: science is still a mystery Gravitational force still cannot be fully understood Gravity is represented by an apple An apple represents temptation in Judaeo-Christian mythology The snake did the tempting and was punished to crawl on his belly for eternity There is an ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail Ouroboros has come to represent alchemy Alchemy is the blurry line between science and magic The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentagon Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David were Masters of the Tangentagon The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentagram Forces you to make connections between objects, to imagine new scenarios, to tell new stories. Also strengthens Deviation. 1. Take an arbitrary collection of images/objects/ideas. 2. Use all objects in a linear story that ends with the ﬁrst object used Tangentagram The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Tangentagram Forced Progression The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Through the Looking Glass This is an exercise in perspective. Choose a focus, now instead of trying to find solutions, try to make it worse. How could you alienate people? How could you make this terrible? What would it take to destroy this project and have everyone hate you? Do the opposite. Thought reversal. Psych! 1. Choose a focus. 2. Write down scenarios that would make your idea or project fail. Write down your worst, most destructive ideas. 3. Examine which of these ‘bad’ ideas you could ﬁx and make work in your favour. Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Through the Looking Glass Sun Fizz annimated mascot is terrifyingly real The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

‘skew’ The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Deviation is the ‘skew’ that knocks your work on its own angle. It’s about breaking default. It’s about not being normal. It’s about taking the path less travelled. It’s about expressing yourself in unique, unexpected ways by altering (or ﬁnding) your voice. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

If Deviation is about new pathways, than the weakest of us — the Mimics, the Empaths, and the Producers— need to take the time to explore directions we’ve never taken before. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Common Anomalies: Lying & Make believe Forced Perspectives Distortion Lenses Mutations The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

What is an Outlier? Learn how to be an outlier, a statistical anomaly. Be an original. A beautiful and unique snowflake. Not all mutations are good. Most die off. But the right ones can change the course of evolution. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Intelligence vs Creativity Our entire lives we are trained to be smart. Smart at school, smart at work. Smart means fast and efficient. It means quick, correct answers to specific questions. Inte$igence 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Intelligence vs Creativity Creativity is slow and meandering. It needs time to percolate and permeate. It needs time to wander and explore, to discover. And sometimes it doesn’t want to stop at the intended destination or answer. Creativity 0 1 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Intelligence vs Creativity Creativity is slow and meandering. It needs time to percolate and permeate. It needs time to wander and explore, to discover. And sometimes it doesn’t want to stop at the intended destination or answer. Creativity 0 1 2 The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

As you forge new the paths… Your work is original because it hasn’t been expressed that way before. Your work is ﬂexible because you have viewed it from every angle. Your work is challenging because it transforms those who experience it. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Deviation Methods The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

focused on uniQueness make things up break default look at things anew The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Asynchronous Q+A Answer a different question, just like politicians.This is a preparation exercise, not ideal for coming up with ideas, but good for making the mind more malleable. 1. Everyone gets a piece of paper. 2. Write a question on the paper. Any questions. The ﬁrst one that comes to mind. 3. Fold paper in half and pass it to the person on Q≠A your left. 4. Take the new paper and on it write the answer to your previous question(without opening it). 5. Pass to your left again. Works with: Action Method 6. Open the paper and read the strange 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes combinations out loud. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Asynchronous Q+A You didn’t answer my question. Is there a Why is the sky blue? human soul? The atmosphere It depends who ﬁlters out all but you ask. It’s very the blue spectrum. hard to prove. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Shining New Thing A trap (object) that catches mice (function) and is ‘better’ (description). This is another exercise for pushing your brain in new directions. 1. Prepare 30+ small scraps of paper 2. Write 10 random objects (eg TRAP) 3. Building on those 10 objects, in a separate pile function write the function of each of these objects. What does it do? (eg CATCHES MICE) description 4. Building on the same 10 objects, and in the last object pile, write a description of each object. What does it look like? What is it made of? (eg WOOD) 5. Draw one random scrap from each pile. Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes 6. Put together and describe your new invention. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Shining New Thing Picking the random Object, Description, and Function Objects Descriptions Functions toaster steel crisps bread stem cells cultured reverse aging mobile phone palm-sized transfer images The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Shining New Thing Introducing the MicroDerma Face Toaster The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Misassociationalism the art of telling a big fat lie ∞ 1. Make sh*t up Works with: Action Methods Streaming, 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes and Connection Methods Connect the Thoughts, Through the Looking Glass The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Misassociationalism John Hodgman: lier lier pants on fire extraordinaire The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Misassociationalism Pretend you are four years old. What would these signs mean to you? The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Misassociationalism Pretend you are four years old. What would these signs mean to you? get big or little box ice cube elf The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Content on Content Content on Content 1. Take any existing idea and look at it through a different ‘lens’ 2. This lens could be an unrelated genre, topic, or structure. 3. Express the old idea in a new way through this new lens. 4. Examine the unexpected results. Works with: Action Method 10 Ideas in 10 Minutes and Connection Method Through the Looking Glass The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Content on Content Hello Kitty Bones by Michael Paulus Cartoon Characters filtered through Anatomy The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Content on Content Toon Museum by Hyungkoo Lee Cartoon Characters filtered through Anatomy filtered through Dinosaur Museum The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Through the Looking Glass Garfield minus Garfield by Dan Walsh (with Jim Davis’ blessing) Main Character filtered out of the content. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Content on Content Public domain defiled The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Content on Content Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith Classic Literature filtered through Horror filtered through iPhone Apps The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Evaluation ‘review’ The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems

Capture all of your ideas and scraps and brainstorming debris. Put the best ones forward. Look for Quantity Quality uniQueness Are they genius? Are they magical? It’s time to judge them. The Creative Method & Systems v2 JasonTheodor.com the Creative Method and systems