Creative Library Displays

Do you have the tendency to focus on the negative aspects of new ideas when creating a display, like too expensive – too difficult – I don't have the knowledge/ skills / time / space – we can't do it because…..

Are you seeing all the ‘why-nots’ instead of the ‘let’s-do-it-even- though”

Instead of seeing the obstacles and barriers switch your focus: How can  I / we make this work or what would we need? Can I stretch finances by begging and buying 2^nd hand? Who has the required skills, or can I learn those skills? How can I generate time?  What  space would be perfect?

You might have a fear of looking foolish or being laughed at when creating an elaborate or unusual display. Most people think that others will judge them negatively when trying something unfamiliar but most people love to see creative ideas coming to life. Maybe it is your own insecurity that holds you back? Or lack of support? Have you talked about your plans with colleagues or supervisor?

We never laugh at a child's first attempt to talk, walk, and draw. We encourage them. Lots of adults have lost confidence in trying out new skills. They fear negative judgements from themselves or others. Be courageous – ignore that voice in your head saying you might fail to do a perfect job. If you’re disappointed with your first attempt, learn from it and DON’T STOP. Trying again and again is the only way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

You might not have the time to think creatively. The over-stressed person finds it difficult to think objectively at all. Stress reduces the quality of all mental processes. It limits creative thinking because that requires inspiration and exploration. Thinking outside the box requires a relaxed state of mind.

Managing day-to-day operations is important, but it shouldn’t prevent new ideas and a fresh approach. Don’t think of new displays or ideas when in the middle of managing accounts. But before you go to sleep is perfect. Guide your thinking; let your mind drift off. That space between being awake and asleep is a fantastic source of ideas…. Allow your mind to welcome images that pop up.

You might not be aware that it hampers the creativity when you have a tendency to conform to accepted patterns of belief or thought – the rules and limitations of the status quo. You restrict yourself with staying on the safe side. You prevent yourself from being open to suggestions and ideas that are new or not associated with your field of work.

Some rules are necessary. We don’t want to offend or harm others with displaying ideas or concepts that are offensive. But we often create our own imaginary rules when it comes to making displays. We assume we know what others would accept or not without much evidence. Imagine 5 different people, a medical student, art teacher, chaplain, fashionista and jazz singer and envisage how they would react to your display.

Conscious and unconscious assumptions restrict creative thinking. Are you sure that a specific subject is not done?  Is it the topic that is taboo? Religious reasons? Is it a touchy subject or is it because you feel uncomfortable tackling the issue, not knowing how to make a display about it?

Identify and examine the assumptions you are making to ensure they are not excluding new ideas. Talk with a variety of people, old, young, conservative and progressive and figure out what it is that might make the topic unfavourable for a display (excluding obvious reasons). But don't be afraid to stand out. Trust your own capability and intelligence.

Investing all your intellect into logical or analytical thinking – the step-by-step approach – excludes imagination, intuition, emotion or humour. Use your emotions to create a display, if it makes you smile it makes others smile. If it makes you happy it makes others happy and if it makes you think about the theme of your display it draws people in and they will stop and contemplate the philosophy or opinion that you (indirectly) portray.

Creativity is not the product of logical thought. It is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is looking with fresh eyes at old ways of doing and improving them. But even if your intellect works in a logical and analytical way, you still can create fantastic displays. Just let go of the assumption that it needs to be functional or logical. Allow yourself to ‘fool around’ with materials and concepts. Be wild!! You might be surprised what you come up with.