“Originality is Overrated”

Dr Karl K. Jeffries is a Senior Lecturer in Design at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). His research centres on revealing the optimal conditions in which individuals can enhance their creative potential. Core themes and questions which underpin his work are: What knowledge is useful to enhance creativity? What forms of communication convey this knowledge? What assessment is appropriate to evaluate creativity? Over the past five years, his research findings have informed a series of creative thinking workshops created for both creative industry professionals, and postgraduate, undergraduate, and tertiary design education. The unique aspect of these workshops has been the use of online ‘Creativity Diagnostic’ software. Through this software, participants are able to reflect on key factors that influence their creative potential, and receive customised feedback and guidance (Jeffries, 2007). Karl’s most recent research publication has extended this work by developing new research methodologies with which to explore the relationship between talent and creativity. In particular, his findings distinguish talents relevant to creativity within the audio visual industry (Jeffries, in press). Karl’s forthcoming research project, in collaboration with CETH and the Higher Education Academy’s Art, Design and Media subject centre, will further develop this work by identifying domain-relevant skills for creativity within Games Design. View all posts by Dr Karl K Jeffries