Image source: Hongkiat.com
Some people view science and art as polar opposites. In fact, the two are much more closely related than a lot of people think. I mean, just look at 3D art — using computer code to create art pieces is the perfect example of artistic science.
There’s another way that science can help you become a better artist: research. Scientists have been performing studies about creative inspiration, and you’d be surprised by what they found out.
1. Put a Light Bulb on Your Desk
Yes, I do realize how stupid this suggestion sounds. But what can I say? The research on this one is pretty solid. Researchers at Tufts University found out that doing work next to a light bulb can increase creativity and insightful problem solving. The researchers speculate that light bulbs represent creativity because of this oh-so-common image:
Image source: Tvtropes.org
Consequently, the mere presence of a light bulb can flip on your creativity like, well, flicking on a light switch!
2. Dim the Lights
Whoever said being dim was a bad thing?
Anna Steidle of the University of Stuttgart and Lioba Werth of the University of Hohenheim (both German universities) found that dimming the lights around you can increase creativity, proving that your work environment has a major impact on your productivity. Participants in the study who performed creative tasks in dim light did better than the participants who performed in bright light. The dim-light group also reported that they felt more creative and free from restraints.
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The researchers wrote, “These results indicate that dim illumination heightens perceived freedom from constraints, which in turn improves creative performance.”
3. Play with Your Left Hand
Israeli researchers published a paper entitled, “Unilateral Muscle Contractions Increase Creative Thinking.” The premise was pretty simple: a lot of creative thinking goes on in the right hemisphere of the brain, so researchers figured that they could boost creativity by artificially activating that part of the brain (your right brain controls the left side of your body, and vice versa. Weird, I know).
Image source: Creativejaunt.blogspot.com
Their hunch was spot-on. They explain, ”As predicted, participants who contracted their left hand (thus activating the right hemisphere) achieved higher scores than those who used their right hand and those who did not contract either hand.”
4. Look at Your Computer Through Binoculars
The phrase “You’re too close to the problem” suggests that people can run out of ideas after focusing on a project too closely. Apparently, there’s a psychological component behind that phrase. Researchers have found that thinking about a project as if it were far away from you can boost creativity. When I say “far away from you” I mean that in every sense of the phrase. The art project is not in the same building as you, it’s not a pressing concern, the results don’t affect you, you’re not very involved with the project, and so forth. Taking a moment to step back can literally help you see the big picture and come up with more ideas.
