4 stages of creativity

Since this journal aims to examine how digital technology enhances creativity, I would first like to define creativity in four stages as outlined by renowned psychologist James C. Kaufman.

Source: Own image
   Preparation
§     Innovation arises through continual feeding of knowledge and expertise in a wide range of areas. Through gathering and synthesis of mass information, one expands one’s reasoning capability to discern what is useful and what is not.

     Incubation
§     This stage is essential. Individuals who seek creativity must let their mind freely wander from the task at hand rather than pressure themselves to come up with an ideal solution.

   Illumination
§     Connections between bits of information spontaneously form and collide, crystallizing in one’s consciousness.

   Verification
§     For one’s ideas to reach others, one needs to properly package them and craft an effective message to appeal to one’s chosen audience. 

(source:http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-4-stages-of-creativity.html)