WEEK 3: Creativity Of Microsoft

Found this video on YouTube just now and I want to share with all of you guys. It's shows the creativity of Microsoft that made a music video to promote their new upgrade of MS-DOS 5.0. It's kind of funny, classic and good commercial for me. Watch the video and share your comment! It's totally fun and hilarious actually. Hahaha! Enjoy!

WEEK 3: Class Activity - Analogy

This is another interesting and fun class activity. We had given several images from different categories. In this exercise, the lecturer asked us to write a short statement or maybe a poem that can best describe the concept of "LOVE" by refering to the images given. Wow! It's not easy for me, but I've tried my best. Let see what can I say about LOVE... ;)

Landscape/Mountain/Sky

Love is like climbing a mountain, it's getting tough as you reach at the peak.

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Ice-Cream

Love is like an ice-cream. Lots of colors, flavors, and tastes.

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Credit Card/Wallet

Finding a true love is like choosing a credit card. You can get a lot of benefits if you choose wisely.

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Time/Clock/Watch

Love is as precious as time,

It's just like a gift,

Appreciate it evey moment of the day.

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Sports Car

Falling in love is like having a sports car. You'll feel very special, unique and full of luxury.

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Kitten/Cat and Duck

Love is blind. You may love anyone you like, just like a cat that fell in love with a duck.

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Garbage

Don't let your love become like garbage. Stinky, dirty and brings unpleasant feeling to all.

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So, how is it? Good or bad? Hehe.. By the way, at the end of the class, Mr. Radzi gave us a homework. It is the same activity such as the above, but this time we have been asked to describe a concept of man or women using a "Gargabe" image and any other 2 images listed above.

These are what I've done:

• Garbage - Don't throw away your women like a garbage, eventhough they can be "dirty" in certain period.
  
• Sports Car - Women are like a sports car, very special, extraordinary and need extra care from the owner.


• Ice-Cream - Women's heart is like the ice-cream. Easily melted when saw a "hot" guy.

To all women out there, please don't get mad and angry with me. Hahaha! It is just a homework that lecturer assigned me to do. Take it as a joke and don't take it too serious. OK? So, I end it here. Bye.

WEEK 3: Analogy: Metaphor & Similies

Analogy

1. Definition (from Answer.com):
- Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
- A comparison based on such similarity.

2. Consists of Metaphor and Similies.
- Metaphor: A figure of speech in which 2 different things are linked by some similarity. Not using "as" and "like". Example: Life is a box of chocolate, you will never know what you will get!

Example of metaphor - You Light Up My Life

- Similies: Using "as" and "like". Example: Life is like a maze in which you try to avoid the exit.

Example of similies - Sleeping Like a Log

3. Categories of Analogies:

• Logical Analogies - Use similarities in the design, structure or function to connect back to the subject. Example: A duck can be compared to a hovercraft because of the fact that both of them can move on the surface of land and water.
• Affective Analogies - The emotional resemblance. Used most frequently in conversation to emphasis certain points. Example: He is like a pig (because he is lazy). - Use an animal to explain a certain characteristic of a person.

WEEK 3: Class Activity - Juxtaposition

This activity is regarding the previous topic which is Juxtaposition. We have given a list of words with each words have its own number.

Step 1: Choose several sets of numbers between 01 to 99.
I have chosen 18 and 90.

Step 2: Combine the words from the list by using numbers that you already choose.
18 - Flower Wood
90 - Leave Head

Step 3: Make a sentence by using both words.
18 - That flower is made of wood.
90 - There's a leave on his head.

Step 4: Draw an image based on the sentences created.

18 - That flower is made of wood.

90 - There's a leave on his head.

Step 5: Now, draw an image based on the words that you combined in Step 2, so that when people see the image, they will straightly think the combined word.

18 - Flower wood

90- Leave head

Wheww! Done with the exercise. I can feel that this exercises is getting tougher from step to step. The toughest one is on Step 5 when we need to draw the picture of the words that we combined earlier in Step 2. Those words are not logic and doesn't make sense but, we must try to draw it. As a result, I managed to draw the pictures but sorry, I really don't have talent in drawing. Haha.. By the way, it was a interesting class activity which required the creativity and the brain.

WEEK 3: Juxtaposition

This is the third week of the second trimester of 2008/2009. For today's class, we've learned about Juxtaposition. I believe that some of us may not know or don't even heard about Juxtaposition, just like me before. :P But, after the class I can really understand its meaning and the function of it.

Definition of Juxtaposition:
1. The act of positioning close together (or side by side); a side-by-side position. - thefreedictionary.com

2. The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side ; also : the state of being so placed. - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

So basically Juxtaposition is the idea of putting 2 things together side by side and their contrast and similarity are shown through comparison. By juxtaposing 2 things side by side, human brain will automatically transfer their meaning. It can be something familiar or never be heard before.

Example of Juxtaposition:

Found this on the net. It's really funny! Hahaha! People might assume different things when see this picture.

In this documentary, Michael Moore uses juxtaposition when he plays the song "What a Wonder full World" while playing scenes of war and violence. So, it shows the contrast between peace and war.

WEEK 2: What Gender Is Your Brain?

Hi everyone! I'm in my hometown in Pahang right now and it such a beatiful morning here. I feel so good, sitting on a chair and updating my blog for Creative Studies. Oh ya, last night after updating this blog, I've found something interesting to share with all of you. I've found it on Blogthings.com, an interesting website that provide lots of things that you can put in your own blog or websites. What we need to do is just to answer all the questions provided, click on the 'Submit' button and the result will be appear after that. The question is, does our brain really have a gender?? Haha.. I've tried it out once and here is the result:

Your Brain is 53% Female, 47% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

Wow! Some of those criteria are really represent me. But, 53% female and 47% male? *straight face* OK, just forget about it. Hahaha. For me, it just for fun and no need to take it too serious. By the way, I think all of you should try it out! Just click on the link below. It's really fun when you see the result. Happy trying! ;)

What Gender Is Your Brain?

WEEK 2: Method of Creative Thinking

Mind Mapping
(Informations taken from Litemind.com and lecture notes)

Example of mind map

What is mind map actually?

- A graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.

- An activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions.

- Mind-maps were devised in the 1960s by Tony Buzan, who has written a number of splendid books on the subject.

What are the benefits of of it?
- Mind mapping avoids dull, linear thinking, jogging your creativity and making note taking fun again.

What can we use mind maps for?

• Note taking
• Brainstorming
• Problem solving
• Studying and memorization
• Planning
• Researching information from multiple sources
• Presenting information
• Gaining insight on complex subjects
• Jogging your creativite

How to draw a mind map?
- Start in the middle of a blank page, writing or drawing the idea you intend to develop.
- Develop the related subtopics around this central topic, connecting each of them to the center with a line.
- Repeat the same process for the subtopics, generating lower-level subtopics as you see fit, connecting each of those to the corresponding subtopic.

Some additional tips:
- Use colors, drawings and also symbols. It will be look more interesting and fun.
- Keep the topics labels as short as possible; easy to read, to understand and to remember.
- Vary the text size, color and alignment.

In my opinion, doing a mind map is fun and also the creative way to represents something in a simple way. It is very useful especially for a student to remember what they have studied or any other things. By the way, below is the example of a mind map done by me. It is all about myself. I prefer to do the mind map by drawing rather than do it digitally by using software.

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Logical mind map
Directly connected to stereotypes. The logical mind map comprises of solely stereotype words., which means that every word or image that is put within the mind map is directly related to the central subject through its links.

Logical Mind Maps & Stereotypes
Before beginning a Logical mind map we have to understand what a Stereotype is; below is the definition of the word.

Definitions of Stereotype
ster·e·o·type
A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.

ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing, ster·e·o·types
To make a stereotype of.
To characterize by a stereotype: “Elderly Americans are the neglected sector of the fashion industry, stereotyped by blue hair and polyester pantsuits” (American Demographics).
To give a fixed, unvarying form to.

The Rules Of Logical Mindmapping
1. Always have your SUBJECT in the center of the page.
2. Try to make the subject more dominant than the rest of the words and images in the mind map.
3. Decide on the main categories of the subject before executing on mind map.
4. Try to have the different categories in different colors, to make it easier to identify.
5. Try to use drawings or images to make your mind map more interesting and personal.
6. The ideal mind map should be shaped like the roots of a tree, branching out from a center.
7. It is OK to repeat words or even interlink certain words.
8. Try to make your mind map neat and easily legible. REMEMBER one of the aims of the mind map is to create interest and to be able to access information easily.

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Associated Mind Map
Using an associated mind map we are able to generate random words and also show the links between words that seemingly have no connection.

Associated Mind Maps & Random Word
Using an associated mind map we are able to be able to generate random words and also show the links between words that seemingly have no connection. Below is the definition for the word Random.

Definition of Random
ran·dom
Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: random movements.

The Rules Of Associated Mindmapping
1. Always keep your mind open and relaxed.
2. Start off with the Subject (Word or Image) dominating the center of the page.
3. Immediately branch off in to main categories as you would in a Logical mind map.
4. Pick a link and start expanding. Write the first thing that comes to mind in relationship to the word. Eg. Malaysia – State – United States – Statue of Liberty – Woman – Beautiful
5. The links in the Associated mind map do not have to link directly with the central subject, but instead is only linked to the words surrounding it.
6. Try to put down the first thing that comes to your mind. An Associated mind map is supposed to be fast.
7. Sometimes we tend to get excited and go on and on. But REMEMBER the ideal mind map should be shaped like the roots of a tree, branching out from a center; the same rule applies for the Associated mind map.
8. Have fun. The best Associated mind maps are created when in a relaxed frame of mind.

WEEK 2: Class Activity - Creating Image Of Public Figure

We were assigned to describe a person by using pictures from the old magazines. What we need to do is to cut any images in the magazines, paste and combine it all to create a new images of either Bill Gates or the Google Duo (Sergey Brin and Larry Page). I've decided to choose one of those and here's the result:

So, based on the above image, can you guess who am I refering to? Yes, he is Bill Gates!

The most obvious things that we can see in that picture is the gates, which I want to describe the Bill Gates' name. Several words there also refer to his characteristic and also what business is he doing. The "window" image represents the Windows, which is the operating system of Microsoft. I manage to cut 4 different colors of papers from the magazine to make it look like a Windows logo. The dollar sign represent the richest man in the world and the man sign refer to the gender of him. One more thing, Bill Gates is wearing spectacle right? So, the image of spectacle is also there to describe Bill Gates.

WEEK 2: Novelty, Creativity, Innovation and Invention

Wohooo! It's a whole new week! I'm so excited to start this new week. Maybe it's because of the spirit of new trimester. I've started this new week by attending the 3rd class of Creative Studies on Monday afternoon, 17th November 2008. On yesterday class, I have learnt about these 4 things: Novelty, Creativity, Innovation and Invention. Can you differentiate the meaning for each of it? Each words have similar meaning actually, but it still have slightly differences. So, lets review it one by one.

NOVELTY
(All informations are from Wikipedia)

Definition:
Novelty is the quality of being new. Although it may be said to have an objective dimension (e.g. a new style of art coming into being, such as abstract art or impressionism) it essentially exists in the subjective perceptions of individuals. It also refers to something novel; that which is striking, original or unusual.

Example:

The Longaberger Company

- American manufacturer of handcrafted maple wood baskets and offers other home and lifestyle products, including pottery, wrought iron, fabric accessories and specialty foods.

- Got inspiration to build their headquaters by taking the shape of their biggest seller, the "Medium Market Basket".

CREATIVITY
(All informations are from Wikipedia)

Definition:
Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. An alternative conception of creativness is that it is simply the act of making something new.

Example:

Township Cat

- A toy cat produced in a South-African township, made from used plastic bags and old wire.

INNOVATION
(All informations are from Wikipedia)

Definition:
A new way of doing something. It may refer to incremental, radical, and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. A distinction is typically made between Invention, an idea made manifest, and innovation, ideas applied successfully.

Example:

Funky Kiwi Campers

- Escape Rentals, a New Zealand camper rental company, sets itself apart by letting artists turn camper vans into art on wheels.

- Paint jobs draw from the whole spectrum of visual art and pop culture, from kiwiana to Far Side comics and Maurice Sendak to Pablo Picasso.

INVENTION
(All informations are from Wikipedia)

Definition:
An invention is the finding or creation of a new configuration, composition of matter, device, or process. Some inventions are based on pre-existing models or ideas. Other inventions are radical breakthroughs which may extend the boundaries of human knowledge or experience.

Example:

Alexander Graham Bell's Telephone

- Bell was inspired to start development of the telephone when he read an account, written in German, describing an invention which he thought had the function of a telephone.

- After demonstrating his first working telephone Bell learned that, because of the language barrier, he had misunderstood the report, and the German invention had an entirely different function.

WEEK 1: Creative Quotes & Quotations

Hello everyone! Just want to share some quotes from famous people regarding creative and creativity. Hope we can get benefits from it. All quotes are from Thinkexist.com.

“The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.” - Julia Cameron

“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” - Albert Einstein

"Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“Creative thinking may mean simply the realization that there's no particular virtue in doing things the way they always have been done.” - Rudolf Flesch

"The creative person is willing to live with ambiguity. He doesn't need problems solved immediately and can afford to wait for the right ideas.” - Abe Tannenbaum

"A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” - Ayn Rand

"The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person.” - Frank Barron

“Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” - Arthur Koestler

"Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality overcomes everything.” - George Lois

“Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.” - Lao Tzu

WEEK 1: Class Activity - Image of A Friend

On the 12th of November 2008, which is on Wednesday, we had our second lecture session. On that day, we had our first class activity for this subject. Mr. Radzi told us to work in pair, so I' ve decided to work with my coursemate, Aina. This is not the first time we work in a pair or as a team. There were a lot of times and a lot of assignments we did together in a group. So, it is not a big problem to work with her since she always gave a good cooperation and also a very sporting friend to study and to talk with.

So, below are the instructions for our task for that day:

Instruction:
Find out information of their partner & create the image of their partner based on their interpretation of the information that they had gathered.

Materials:
A4 Paper, Markers or color pencil/pen, A friend

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Siti Nuraina bt. Ahmad Khairudin

Characteristics:

• Independent
• Likes to read novels
• Calm, cool and got sense of humor
• Prefer to follow her own path
• Likes to gossip
• Never hurt feeling
• Favorite color - yellow & orange

Based on the information, I can say that Aina is just like the TWEETY BIRD! Yup, the cute little yellow bird in Looney Toons series of animated cartoons. "I tawt I taw a puddy-tat!" Remember? It is a famous signature lines of Tweety Bird. Below is the image of the Tweety Bird that i've drawn to represent my partner, Aina.

Reasons to choose Tweety Bird:

1. Aina has an average height and can consider a small girl just like Tweety; small, cute and sweet.
   
2. One of her favorite color is yellow, the same color as Tweety's body. Aina said that yellow means happiness, cheerful and joy to her, that's why she likes it.
   
3. The characteristics of Aina is almost same with Tweety. Aina can be independent, just like the Tweety Bird. As we all know, Tweety is a good-natured character happily spending life in its cage. However, when a cat threatens it, Tweety can become brave, even kicking its enemy. This shows that Tweety can be independent, need no help from others, and prefer to follow its own path.
   
4. Sometimes, Tweety also have a calm and cool personality too. Tweety never be too panic when it is in danger. This personality is also same with Aina.

Those are some reasons why I choose Tweety Bird to represent my friend, Aina. In the other hand, Aina also draw an image to represent me based on the information that she had gathered. So, lets take a look what's the result.

A KOALA?? Hahahahahaha! *Laughing out loud* Yeah! That was my reaction when I first saw the picture done by Aina. It looks like a perfect match to me. Hahaha! Most of my characteristics were the same as the koala - love to sleep, enjoy eating food, shy and sometimes prefer to be alone. To know more about what have Aina wrote about me, go to her blog at ainakhairudin.blogspot.com. As you can see, Aina have put her creativity on it by creating the image of a koala by using Collage techique. Wow! Nice work, Aina!

WEEK 1: Defining Creativity

Are you a CREATIVE person?
How would you define CREATIVITY?
Why we need to be CREATIVE?
How to be a CREATIVE person?
CREATIVITY is a part of human nature or it must be learned?
How to enhance your CREATIVITY?

Have you been asked the same question as the above? Maybe some of those questions might be heard before when we talk about CREATIVITY or CREATIVE. Sometimes, creativity is too subjective to describe. When we talk about creativity, every people has their own opinion or interpretation on what it is. Creativity is quite difficult to describe, but it is not impossible to measure too.

Here are some of the common definitions of creativity that can be found in the internet:

Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. - Wikipedia

Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. - Human Motivation, 3rd ed., by Robert E. Franken, pg.396.

I define creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing. - Linda Naiman, founder of Creativity at Work

The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts. - Dictionary.com

In my point of view, CREATIVITY is an ability to think, to do, to create (or anything esle) in a unique way, different with other people. Making or designing something new is also can be considered as creative. To be creative, we need to see things in a new ways or in a different perspectives. In my opinion, creativity can goes far beyond the arts. It can goes in design, music, film making, presentation, and so on which is too many to be listed here. So, it just up to the individual to judge whether the things is creative or not.

Oh ya, how about cooking? Is it consider the way to express the creativity? If you ask me, my answer would be 100% YES! Actually, my new hobby is cooking and I love it very much! I always feel excited and enjoy from the time I want to buy the ingredients till the time when the cooking is done. I think that cooking is one of several ways to show our creativity. For example, if we want to make a dessert, we can change the original ingredients to something similar or maybe adding some other ingredients to make it more colourful, looks great and the most important, taste great! Hehe.. Last trimester break, I've made a dessert which called Fried Ice-Cream or we called it "Ais Krim Goreng" in Malay. Instead of serving a plain dessert on a plate, I added some colourful chocolate rice, chocolate chips and some melted chocolate as a topping for the Fried Ice-Cream. It looks more interesting to eat. *drooling* (OMG! This post makes me feel hungry.. Hahaha!)

OK! Forget about the food and lets continue talking about creativity. I believe that creativity can be taught and learned. That's why we learn CREATIVE STUDIES right? Hehehe.. We learn how to think out of the box and came out with "crazy" ideas as long as it is CREATIVE. Certain people may not born as a creative person but there is not impossible to learn about it. One more thing, I believe that when you enjoy and love what you do, it is much easier to be creative. When we have passion in our work, we can be extremely creative in it as well.

I think that's all for now. See you in the next posting. :)

WEEK 1: The Creative Journey Begins...

Hi there!

First of all, let me say WELCOME and THANK YOU for visiting my blog! Really appreciate it so much! By the way, my name is Mohamad Aizat bin Md. Lotpi and you can called me Aizat or Ijatt. I am 24 and currently in a final year of my studies in Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons) majoring in Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship. For your information, this is my very first attempt in writing a blog and I never had a blog before. Actually, writing is not my interest, but why not if we are trying, am I right? So, a big round applause to me! Hahaha! :-P

For your information, this blog is specially created for the Creative Studies subject for my Degree. Generally, this particular blog will express and documenting all my understanding in that subject. It will help me to cultivate and at the same time to promote a habit of reflection of lesson's learn from class and the other activities. In the other way, I hope I can have so much fun in the way of this creative journey.

Talking about Creative Studies subject, the first lecture session for this subject is on Monday (10/11/08). Our beloved lecturers for this subject are Mr. Ahmad Radzi bin Mohd. Bedu and Miss Helena Song Sook Yee. Both of them gave a good introduction of the subject and told us about creativity. My expectations from this class? To be a creative person who can think out of the box, of course! I was so excited in learning this subject and expect to be more creative after finish this course. Since I am a student of Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I need to be creative in order to achieve my dream job as a multitalented multimedia designer. Being a creative people and having a creative mind is not impossible for everybody. What we need is a good attitude towards studies and in any other things we do. Be positive and let the brain do the job.

By the way, it will be grateful to me if you can leave a comment for any topics that will be listed here soon. I also hope that we can share our valuable opinions and thoughts regarding the topics covered.

So, what are we waiting for? Start your engine and lets begin the journey! Wooohoooo!!~