Creativity: The Art of Noticing What's Around You
How Observation Feeds Your Imagination
Many people think creativity is something that happens within us.
We are the one who has a brilliant idea, and we then execute it.
What if I told you this ‘hermit view’ of ideas is far too simplistic. Brilliant ideas don’t happen from isolating ourselves like hermits, locked away in our minds.
What if a large degree of creativity is about paying attention and observing what’s happening around you through the lens of what you’re currently working on?
We must be present in the moment, and be receptive to what’s unfolding right before our eyes. We must cross-pollinate with what we’re observing in the real-world.
Would you believe me or does it sound too good to be true?
During the holiday’s I’ve been reading George Lucas: A Life by Brian Jay Jones. George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars universe, saw his work immediately become the biggest blockbuster of all time upon its release.
The book is sprinkled with fascinating moments of serendipity, where brilliant ideas emerged simply because someone was paying attention to their surroundings.
Still skeptical? Let’s dive in!
Warning: This article may contain spoilers about Star Wars, so proceed only if you’ve already watched it—or don’t mind a few surprises being revealed.
The Idea for Chewbacca
“One afternoon, Marcia [George Lucas’ Wife red.] drove away from the house with their dog - an enormous Alaskan malamute named Indiana - sitting happily in the passenger seat next to her, his head brushing the ceiling of the car. Lucas thought, the dog, nearly as big as a person, looked like Marfcia’s copilot - an image that would eventually evolve into Chewbacca, the copilot of the Millenium Falcon.”
Coming Up With The Names for R2D2
“During one late—night session, Murch asked Lucas for Reel 2, Dialogue 2 - but shortcut the request by asking for R2 D2 instead. Lucas loved the sound of it - the way a name sounded would always be important to him- and after handing Murch the film cans, quickly scribbled R2D2D down in his notebook.”
The Design and Naming of Vader
“The artist [McQuarrie red.] had given the “grim-looking general’ a spacesuit he thought the character would need to board a spacecraft - but Lucas loved the look so much it became the villain’s regular uniform.”
“But it [Vader red.] was also a name he’d likely heard nearly daily at Downey High School, where he had a schoolmate one grade ahead, an all-conference athlete named Gary Vader. For Lucas, who loved the way words sounded, it was too good a last name not to use.”
The Design of the Millenium Falcon
The original design of the Millenium Falcon was too similar to another ship that recently aired on television. The designer, Johnston, was stuck and starting at his kitchen sink where he noticed plates on the counter. He envisioned the two saucers sandwiched together to create a saucer-like ship. This was the beginning of the Millennium Falcon.
The Death of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi was never supposed to die in the first Star Wars movie. His wife recommended killing him off, which audience would never have seen coming as he was the biggest star in the first movie:
“It was Marcia who had put Ben Kenobi’s head on the block, pointing out to Geroge that after escaping the Death Star, the hold general didn’t have much to do for the rest of the film.”
Brilliant Ideas Bounce Off the Real World
In short, I hope this illustrates that brilliant ideas don’t just happen in our heads — they occur when we spot something in the world and connect it to the things that are going on in our mind.s
Creativity is about being open to the real world, not just what your imagination is telling you. So the next time you’re in a creative rut, don’t stay stuck in your attic, but go out, explore and experience new things.
Who knows, you might make a connection that nobody has made before by observing something in your surroundings that’s connected to whatever you’re working on.