Designing a great product takes creativity. Are you looking for a bit of creative advice for your next product development project?

Creative Product Design Advice

Check out the following advice from six creative geniuses for a spark of inspiration.

“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.” — Pablo Picasso

Famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso knows a thing or two about creative genius. Routinely dubbed the most influential painter of the twentieth century, Picasso co-founded the Cubist movement, which was an early twentieth century avant-garde art movement that totally revolutionized the world of European art. The key to his creative success? Looking beyond what exists to what could exist. True creativity is all about charting new terrain and delving into the unexplored.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Coming up with a great product idea and getting that product to the market often requires a whole team of creative people. Effective leadership means inspiring creativity in others. How can you do that? It isn’t about assigning tasks and work, as Antoine de Saint-Exupery says; it’s about inspiring passion and creating a common vision.

“Genius means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.” — William James

Want to be creative? Learn to see things in a unique way. Break up your routine and try new things. It just might inspire you. If it worked for William James, one of the world’s most leading philosophers who churned out a slew of revolutionary ideas in his lifetime, it will probably work for you, too.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh

Being truly creative means getting out of your own comfort zone and pushing your own limits. Van Gogh was certainly one for pushing his limits. The major post-Impressionist painter even cut off his own ear in a fit of creative frenzy. Now, while we wouldn’t advise cutting off your own limbs, getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things can be a highly effective way to get your creative juices flowing.

“When I teach classes at the School of Visual Arts I’ll ask the students ‘How many of you have been to a museum this year?’ Nobody raises their hand and I go into a tirade. If you want to do something sharp and innovative, you have to know what went on before. Museums are custodians of epiphanies, and these epiphanies enter the central nervous system and deep recesses of the mind.” — George Lois

1960s-ad man George Lois was one of the stars of the golden age of advertising, and pioneered a number of now widely used advertising tactics. He propelled major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Xerox, and MTV to stardom. But Lois was never one to just pull concepts out of thin air. Some of his best and most valuable creative ideas were firmly grounded in what came before him. Consider his iconic Esquire Magazine cover depicting pacifist boxer Muhammad Ali as the target of government persecution. Believe it or not, Lois used Piero del Pollaiuolo’s painting “The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian” as the model for the now iconic cover.

“From 30,000 feet, creating looks like art. From ground level, it’s a to-do list.” — Ben Arment

Creativity doesn’t just come in one instant flash. As Arment suggests, it requires consistency, dedication, and perseverance. Creativity isn’t going to arrive to you; you need to get to it.

Pivot International is a product design, development, and manufacturing firm with strengths in software development, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and industrial design. If you are interested in engineering a new product or updating an existing product, contact us at 1-877-206-5001 or request your free consultation today.