Encouraging Creativity in Children

[Tuumble]

The article below appears on my blog in extended form. I include it here too because I'm interested on your thoughts on the subject.

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Encouraging Creativity in Children

I have had an interesting, if a little daunting, task to do this week. Our local village is staging the 38th edition of its annual carnival and being a graphic designer by trade I was ushered into the role of judging the schools’ poster competition for the event.

I’ve never had to do anything like this before and felt it a real privilege to be asked. However, when it came down to it I realised I had to think very carefully before making any decision.

There were approximately 20 entries which while wasn’t a great response it was clear that a great deal of time and effort was put in by all concerned. Some were painted, others were just drawn while there were some who created theirs totally by computer.

It was those in the final category that interested me most. While the standard varied considerably I was reluctant to choose one of those as an outright winner because it is a lot simpler to create an effective poster that way. If you make a mistake you change a font or move a picture which isn’t so easy with traditional media.

Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a skill in creating artwork using computers and I should know as I do it everyday but I didn’t want to chose those because it excluded children that didn’t own a computer system.

It was because of this that when I chose the prize winners I made sure that a category for computer art was included rather than just a single winner. It would be unfair to dismiss quality work in that way.

It was such an interesting process anyway because while many were clearly very creative they had effectively failed to read the brief. It sounds incredibly pompous to say that in relation to 8-11 year olds but it was important.

The best drawing by some distance included an image of a carousel which was beautiful but it bore no relation to anything that was happening on the day. Others missed out vital information in the wording so in that sense to award it first prize would not serve the promotion of the carnival.

In the end I chose four designs: An overall winner, a runner-up and two highly commended and wrote a detailed explanation of what I thought about the designs on the back to be given to the artists.

Here lay the crux of the problem.

Should I say that each was wonderful, the best thing since sliced bread, and yet not point out any of the shortcomings? There were ways of improving all the designs and if they did want to improve creatively I felt I should at least make suggestions as what may help them with other art projects.

Some children would react differently given the same information. There would be those who would take it to heart and be upset while others would take the ideas and try and learn from them. It is a very fine line.

What would you have done?

To read the rest of my article click here.

[Uplift]

Gidday Tuumble, having worked in graphic arts years ago, when Leroy and Letraset were 'breakthroughs' I understand where you are coming from. I also have two young boys so the situation is something I think about. As you know, computers remove the actual skill of reproducing lettering or images, and a lot of times provide templates for layout as well, but they can't replace the ideas, or as you point out whether or not the poster addresses what it is supposed to. I also see a lot of computer generated posters that look too busy, aren't easy to follow, highlight wrong information and so on.

You'll never replace good creativity, or ideas, or the 'feel' or style of conveying them, and the ability to get to the 'crux' or address the issue. At that age that's what I would encourage, they have tons of time to learn the physical skills necessary for 'manifesting' the ideas.

It is deluxe that you take it so seriously, and think so highly of children. For me, I think if they learn honesty, in a kind way, it's the best thing. I've had the same issue coaching kids in basketball. I try to convey that we all have strong areas, areas that we love and shine in, and that we should be encouraged by others that 'shine' in particular areas, that there is no need to feel bad or resentful if someone is better than you in something, or has made more effort. At the same time I feel that the children should be rewarded for trying and having fun. I would point out each work's strong points, and award the eventual winner on having, or being able to display the most strong points. That gives those that are interested a guide at what to improve on, but also highlights their strengths as well. Just be honest, truthfull, thats what they need, your intentions are deluxe, children pick up on much more than we give them credit for. I think the kids are in great hands.

[Tuumble]

Uplift, you certainly live up to your name.

That is a fabulous post and it's great to 'meet' a like-minded soul who thinks the same way.

It would be great to swap ideas sometime as we've both been in 'the biz'.

[Uplift]

I'm glad it helped Tuumble. I view children as most precious, gifts, to be handled with the utmost respect and care. They are the future, in our care.

My Graphic Arts training has proven extremely usefull over time. For instance when I started my Personal Training business it was exciting, and easy to come up with a name (Uplift Personal Training), and to create and produce my logo, business cards, stationary and promotional material. I must admit though, sometimes I wish I was as computer literate as my kids! This thread brings back some hilarious memories...like cleaning (or dropping) .18 drawing pen nibs, or the hours spent on 'mock ups', and stooped over 'light boxes'. Chronoflex!!! I wonder what happened to all those massive companies that were icons in the graphics industry? All the best with your endeavors.

[El Gufo Pazzo]

Well, different kinds of media are entirely different playing fields; if I had the power, I would have created seperate categories for the different artforms. (ex. the winner of the computer arts prize is _______ with they're work _______.) But if I couldn't do that, I would consider that painting it doesn't make it any more creative than if the same thing was done with a computer.

In the end, (once again if I couldn't make seperate categories) I would think of it this way

Effort: No media has an handicap

Product: Computers has an advantage, remember that when you score these

Creativity: No media has an handicap

But even then, at the same time, product for computer work has no advantage because it can't capture spirit and personalization.

[ticktockclok]

You want to encourage creativity in children? Get them out of school.

[Old Soul]

Should I say that each was wonderful, the best thing since sliced bread, and yet not point out any of the shortcomings? There were ways of improving all the designs and if they did want to improve creatively I felt I should at least make suggestions as what may help them with other art projects

I would applaud all the work created , without singling out anyone ...
and as a group ask them if they are happy with what they have achieved if so why? f not why not?

ask them what they think .... this will open up their creative minds to make changes for the next project

[medaille]

I would suggest being honest in why you chose some over others, especially when it deals with things that are easily controllable like following the theme of the day, or reading the rules.

My little sister was in 4H for a while, and they would enter competitions where their animals would be judged. Even though there was a lot of work they invested in the project, it was rare to see a kid crushed by losing, when the judge just explained what he was judging and why certain animals were better than other animals.

I would advise staying away from being positive about everyone and ignoring the negatives, because the kids would think that you were just playing favorites which is disempowering.