Sometimes Disorganisation Can Lead To Better Creativity

We’re all about organisation here at Lifejacker, but we’re the first to admit that sometimes things are better left in disarray. When you collect ideas for future projects, it’s tempting to tag them and categorise them to within an inch of their lives, but you may be missing out on some creative opportunity.

Photo by nan palmero

Some of the best creations and the best new ideas are a confluence of different sources — when you spot two different things together in a serendipitous moment that you never could have arranged on purpose. In an interview with 99U, Sarah Foelske talked about one way she takes advantage of this:

I also have tons of things that I’ve saved, dimensional items, whether it’s tear sheets from magazines or invitations to events that I liked, or beautiful packaging, or just anything that inspires me. And, I have these books that are not categorized by anything but are just full of visual works, so I’ll flip through those for ideas.

You could also extend this idea into the digital world, whatever you use to store ideas and whatever medium they come in. Perhaps a good idea book shouldn’t be too organised after all. Creative accidents are all around us just waiting to happen.

Sarah Foelske of Bruce Mau Design: On Creativity, Collaboration & Jay-Z [99U]