Thinking
How the brain processes thought.
What is “thinking”?
• For our purposes, we will define thinking
as the way the brain processes, stores and
uses information.
• The way information is processed and used,
in combination with interpretation (and the
use of emotions) is called the “mind”.
Linear Thinking
• Most educational systems teach what is known as
“linear thinking”.
• Linear Thinking is a method of thinking that takes
information and stores it, based on how it relates
to previously processed and stored information.
– While this is excellent for processing speed and storage,
there are two major drawbacks to this process of
thinking.
• They are?
Divergent Thinking vs.
Convergent Thinking
• The goal of convergent thinking is to eliminate all but one
solution to a problem.
• Convergent thinking is what you have been primarily taught
through most of your educational process.
– The problem with convergent thinking is the same as eliminating neural
pathways (see “creative thinking” power point).
• What if there is a flaw in that one solution, or if you find a circumstance where that one
solution is rendered unworkable?
See Apollo 13 carbon dioxide problem.
Divergent Thinking vs.
Convergent Thinking
• The goal of divergent thinking is to generate many
different solutions to a problem in a short period of time.
• Divergent thinking typically occurs in a spontaneous,
free-flowing manner, such that the ideas are generated in
a random, unorganized fashion.
– Following divergent thinking, the ideas and information will
be organized using convergent thinking, putting the various
ideas back together in some organized, structured way.
• Move to divergent thinking exercises and lectures…
Artistic Thinking…
What is “Analytical Thinking”?
• Analytical Thinking is a method of Lateral
Thinking (a lateral thinking skill) that forces the
user to re-examine the context of a given piece of
information.
– What are the benefits of re-categorizing information?
– We will be using “visual analogies” to explore
and practice this method of thinking.
• An analogy is a connection between two things.
• A forced analogy is creating (or finding) a
connection where none exists (or seems to exist).
HOW IS THIS THING…
…LIKE THIS THING?
Visually and functionally?
What’s the connection between hands and the ocean?
The analogy can
be intellectual…
…or visual.
Visual Puns
Using the idea of creating
visual imagery to illustrate
the idea of a “pun”.
What is a pun?
What is this pun?
Navy SEALS
Onion ring
Pigeon toe
Pine apple
Night owl
Your assignment ?
Using your creative thinking
exercises, and Photoshop,
create a “visual pun”.
Find a common expression that
carries a visual, strikes a humorous
chord with you or creates a visual
inside your head.
Sketch the concept in your
sketchbooks.
Remember – if you can close
your eyes and visualize it, we can
probably create it.
We will be using Photoshop to
create the final image.
“frog in your throat”