Abstract

Creativity might be viewed as any process which results in a novel and useful product. People use computers for creative tasks; they flesh out ideas for text, graphics, engineering solutions, etc. Computer programming is an especially creative activity, but few tools for programming aid creativity. Computers can be designed to foster creativity as well. As a start, all computer programs should help users enumerate ideas, remember alternatives and support various ways to compare them. More sophisticated thinking aids could implement other successful techniques as well.

Most computers are used in solitude; however, people depend on social supports for creativity. User scenarios can provide the important social support and gracious cues normally offered by collaborators that keep people motivated and help them consider alternatives. People also use computers to build community and to communicate. Computers should also support and filter these potentially creativity-enhancing communication acts.

User-interface designers are so busy exposing features and fighting bugs that they might ignore their users’ needs for motivation and creativity support. This paper develops the notion that creativity and motivation enhancement can easily be aligned with the design of high-quality human–computer interaction. User interface toolkits and evaluations should include support for motivation and creativity-enhancing approaches.

Keywords: Communicate; Communication; Community; Computers; Creative; Creativity; Creativity-enhancing; Design; Engineering; Filter; Graphics; Human–computer; Idea; Interaction; Motivation; Product; Programming; Social; Support; Text; User interface

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. User interface flow

3. Setting stage for creative work

4. Stumbling blocks

5. Cognitive science considerations

5.1. Perception effects creative potential

5.2. Ergonomics effects creative potential

5.3. Precognitive and creative potential

5.4. Cognitive considerations effect creative potential

5.5. Behavioural considerations effect creative potential

5.6. Social considerations effect creative potential

6. Discussion

References