The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time by Allen Gannett

The Creative Curve explores the science of creativity and innovation and explains how to develop the right idea, at the right time. Author Allen Gannett dives deep into the psychology and the science of creative thinking and provides the tools needed to understand, optimize and monetize creativeness.

Gannett believes that creativity is not something that you’re either born with or without, it’s a skill that can be developed through educated practice. Finding that special spark of creativity, however, can be very challenging. In his book, Gannett outlines the five stages of the Creative Curve that can help anyone maximize their creative output.

1. The Infinite Sea
The first stage of the Creative Curve is known as the Infinite Sea. This is the stage most people think of when they think of creativity. It’s an unrestricted, wide-open space of possibilities. Anything can happen, and anything is possible. Gannett advises to take advantage of this stage by allowing free expression and generating as many ideas as possible. His advice is to capture all of these ideas, even if they seem outrageous. This stage is all about getting ideas out, and not censoring. There is no wrong answer.

2. The Dwindling Sea
The second stage is the Dwindling Sea. This is when the ideas generated in the first stage are narrowed in order to identify what is or is not feasible. In this stage, it may be necessary to retract some of the ideas generated in the first stage. This stage is all about refining the ideas and identifying what could actually work and be fruitful.

3. The Open Ocean
The third stage is the Open Ocean. This is when the selected ideas from the second stage are further evaluated from a practical standpoint. The ideas should be tested, tweaked and tweaked again to identify what works best. This is the stage of experimentation and trial and error.

4. The Narrow Channel
The fourth stage is the Narrow Channel. This is when the ideas are further refined until the “right” one is chosen. As concepts and ideas are further narrowed down through trial and error, the right idea will emerge. The idea should then be further developed and refined until it is ready to implement.

5. The Harbor
The fifth and final stage is the Harbor. This is when the idea is finally brought to fruition. In this stage, the idea should be ready to be put into practice and should reflect the goals identified in earlier stages.

The Creative Curve provides an effective framework for anyone who wants to generate great ideas, at the right time. By understanding the five stages outlined in the book, anyone can effectively create ideas, test them and eventually create successful projects. Gannett provides the tools and insight to develop creativity. Whether the reader is an artist, entrepreneur, or anything in between, The Creative Curve can help them unlock their creative potential and find success.