Creative design: Analysis, ontology and stimulation

This paper establishes an ontology of creativity and innovation processes. A comprehensive review was undertaken describing the four key perspectives of creativity research, namely the creative-output, -process, -person and -environment. The focus of this review is based around the metrics for measuring creativity from each of the above perspectives. These metrics are drawn together in a common model which highlights key considerations when attempting to measure creativity. It was observed that many of the measurements were trying to identify patterns associated with creativity which correlated to a higher potential for creative output. It is argued that metrics linked directly to the creative output provide direct measure for creativity when other metrics related to the environment, person and process are correlated positively or negatively with the potential for creativity. In addition, the FBS framework established from design literature is linked to the principle of continuity argued as a necessary element of creativity in design. It is also argued that innovation requires creativity as an enabler.