4 Stages of the Creative Process

The Four Stages of the Creative Process

1. Preparation — the creative problem is investigated in all directions and in the process, related intellectual elements are referenced — out of which new ideas for a possible solution can be formulated.

In this stage, the ideas are arranged to form the best course of action to reach a point of resolution; which is also done by seeking patterns in solutions that may have worked in past experiences. That point of divining plausible solutions is called Incubation. 

2. Incubation — In this case, the subconscious mind is the incubator; and there are two primary forms of this voluntary abstention from more conscious work: the first of which is putting one’s conscious mental work into effect on another problem; the second is to put oneself into a relaxation state, at a distance from all conscious mental work. The former form of Incubation economizes time, and is therefore often preferred in the problem solving process. 

It is often better to solve a related problem that may inspire a solution for the former, which will occur in a way that seems to be brought forth by a sudden intuition.

3. Illumination — Once all intellectual elements gathered during the Preparation stage have been sifted through in Incubation, it is then they may align themselves as a new illuminating formation. 

It is that flash of insight that the conscious self cannot simply will, as the subliminal self can. This is also known as the “Eureka” moment — a spontaneous intuition that could arise out of participating in a seemingly unrelated task such as arbitrarily during one’s morning routine or while trying to solve a different problem. 

If one ponders too deeply on one aspect of the problem, the desired solution has a lower chance of being attainable. It is through the active form of Incubation that the favourable Eureka moment of Illumination may lead to a successful resolution. 

4. Verification — It is from all of these inspirations, which are the product of unconscious work, that the verification stage begins. 

The proper calculations must be made during the second period of conscious work following the Inspiration, in which the results of that process are evaluated and possible consequences, deduced. Lastly, the most relevant and appropriate outcomes are determined, in order to gauge their ability to function as an effective solution.