The Art of Life: Finding Creativity in Unexpected Places

This article is part of our Spring/Summer 2020 print issue. See the full, digital version of the issue here.

Photography by Zaria Zinn featuring model Aleeza Zinn.

“The art of life” is more than just a concept. It is a lifestyle, a mindset change, a new way of looking at the world. This year has brought a lifetime of change with it, and we’re not even halfway through. What we have learned thus far, amid all of the turmoil of 2020, is that we cannot control the path of the universe. However, we can control how we react, how we approach situations and how we show up for ourselves and for others. That brings us back to this term, “the art of life.”

You’re walking on the street and see a construction site with bright colors and a pot hole of smoke. You could walk by and not pay attention, or you could pause and think, “This would be a great set for a photograph.” You pose in front of the scene in a standout yellow jumpsuit to match the yellow construction tape and machinery. The picture turns out amazing, and the colors are incredible—that is “the art of life.”

Apart from the most obvious forms of art, such as painting or photography, you can utilize creativity in many aspects of life. Computer science, math and psychology all connect with artistic expression and creative thought. The list goes on, but the point stays the same. No matter what your profession is or what your interests are, taking time to appreciate the little moments in life and unleashing your creativity in any scenario—that is “the art of life.”

Embracing innovative thought in your everyday routine includes altering how you approach mundane tasks and exploring the possibility of adding creativity to any moment. The next time you brush your teeth, why not play your favorite song and dance? When you choose your outfit for the day, wear all of the colors and patterns that your heart desires and don’t be afraid to try something new. Have fun with life when you can and appreciate moments you would normally take for granted.

We would be ignorant not to acknowledge the current state of our world or not to recognize that we are all experiencing a hardship no one saw coming. The repercussions of the pandemic are still unknown and the anxiety still ever-present. Now is a better time than ever to change our everyday mindsets, alter how we view the world and appreciate the art that is life. We are learning, time and time again, how taking time for creativity and for oneself is beneficial.

Elon University’s Elon by Design initiative, including the Center for Design Thinking, is a prime space to discuss the vast field of creativity and creative thought processes on campus and beyond. In an effort to best explore the radical possibilities of creativity, The Edge chatted with the Student Design Thinking Catalyst team in a group interview to fully embody the design thinking process of collaboration.

Dr. Danielle Lake, director of Design Thinking, explained this way of thinking “as a context-responsive, collaborative learning process. It is particularly valuable for supporting creative endeavors that address real-world challenges. It requires we become aware of the frames through which we each see a situation, that we explore the perspective of others. Design thinking also asks that we [...] generate pathways forward through creative integration (synthetic imagination).”

The design thinking process can be applied to everyday situations. Orlanzel Washington, sophomore and engineering major, described that by utilizing the process’ “five steps—framing, exploring, generating, prototyping and cultivating—being creative will be effortless.”

Whether feeling stuck in a creative rut or being unsure of how to solve a problem, embracing the design thinking process allows you to solve any issue. As Lake emphasized, it encourages you to take action beyond having the idea.

Sophie Gerth, sophomore and political science major, described how “design thinking takes a scenario and helps you live out many other adjacent ones, so you can best respond to any set of problems. It isn’t limited to one idea, rather it embraces the fact that creativity can be found in all paths.”

The term creativity is also flexible and is not defined by any constraints. Painting, photography, and music are not the only forms of expressing one’s imagination.

Mackenzie Hahn, senior and international studies and political science double major, explained how “being creative doesn’t just mean painting a picture; it means changing our actions and responses to be more mindful and productive. Recognize what you are doing mindlessly and take inventory of your life on how you feel. When you’ve identified areas for innovation, explore how you can make changes to spark joy [...] in all the work that you need to get done.”

Elon’s design thinking team shared various ways to easily incorporate creativity into your everyday life. Brooke Galonek, junior and strategic communications major, suggested “getting your thoughts onto paper” and “sketching whatever comes to mind.”

Lake encouraged people to “live within and across spaces of difference. Engage in relationships with diverse others. Make. Meditate. Read. Walk.”

Mikayla Ford, sophomore and communication design major, advised you to “change your routine” because creativity can be explored in many different facets. “By adding something new to your routine, you are opening yourself up to new possibilities and challenging yourself to think outside the box.”

Hahn supported Ford’s advice by warning that “without creativity, we end up doing the same things over and over, without innovation, purpose or joy.”

There are many ways that we can all take a step back from how we have been moving through life and appreciate moments we never thought twice about before. We are all learning and growing everyday, regardless of our backgrounds. Even when the world returns to its normal pace, we encourage you to continue trying new things and approaching situations in new ways. Let “the art of life” become a part of everything you do—a part of how you live—and connect with your creativity.

Visit the Elon by Design website for additional resources and information regarding the design thinking module.