Necessity is the Mother of Innovation: Constraints and Community Engagement

Year: 2012
Editor: Duffy, A.; Nagai, Y.; Taura, T.
Author: Allen, T.L.; Chornyak, B.A.
Section: Collaborative Creativity and Education
Page(s): 318-324

Abstract

Within the field of design practice, we are consistently confronted with constraints, imposed by clients, our limited resources and outside circumstances. Usually, these constraints are viewed as necessary, but not enhancing elements of the design process. This paper seeks to identify and investigate how designers might capitalize on constraints (even devising constraints for themselves) and the connection that these constraints have with fostering creativity and innovation. The authors argue that constraints can and should be used as a device and tool for creativity, especially in relation to community engagement and co-creation.

Keywords: constraints, co-creation, co-authoring, participation, community, creative thinking