Creativity - The Purple Process - Creativity & Human Development

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Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:41

Creativity - The Purple Process

Written by Liz Willis

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You have always been creative. And so have I. As you are a reader of The International Journal of Creativity and Human Development, you already know that.

I know that you are creative because everyone is. And I know that because every one of us has been a child. And all children are creative. We are all born with the ability to create, (Picasso spent a great deal of time trying to return to drawing in the way that children draw.) it is part of being human, but as we travel through life, it gets knocked out of us, or suppressed, so that most of us reach the stage where we believe that we are no longer creative. That is not so.

For the last 25 years, I have been running a training organisation, The Springboard Consultancy, with my partner, Jenny Daisley. One of my courses is about the development of people's creativity, which has attracted a wide range of people from all walks of life. It is a pragmatic course, touching only briefly on theory, called 'The Purple Process' to emphasise that it is about something that can be done, not a theory or an end result. And purple, because it is the colour most associated with creativity.

This article draws on my empirical research when running this course over several years, and my observations of people as they rediscover their creativity.

My story

I come from a family of engineers and scientists. My father was a brilliant electronic design engineer. He was extraordinarily creative with many patents to his name. I learnt a lot about creativity from him. Mostly by developing curiosity, by being inquisitive, constantly asking; 'What would happen if ...?'

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Liz Willis

Liz Willis is one of the founders of the UK based, award-winning Springboard Consultancy, with 32 years of experience of innovation in the field of work and personal development training. A published author of five books. Liz's best-selling 'Springboard Womens' Development Workbook' has been translated into 12 languages and is in use around the world.

Liz's training programmes are delivered in 33 countries, through an international network of 1,000 especially trained trainers. With a background and training in the arts, for the last eight years, Liz has been running courses on developing creativity as both a workplace and personal skill. Liz is also an exhibiting abstract painter and stained glass artist.

Well known for her pioneering work in Women's Development, developing ground-breaking programmes for women at all levels in the workplace. Awarded a 'European Woman of Achievement' award in 2000 for 'promoting pan-European understanding and inspiring others.' Also awarded 'The Lady Platt Award', a national 'National Training Award' and a regional 'National Training Award'.

BA (Hons) in three-dimensional design. Fellow of the RSA. Trustee of 'Appledore Arts' – the UK's largest annual visual arts festival. Founding Trustee of 'The Ken Sprague Fund', which promotes political cartooning as being a symptom of a healthy society.

Liz Willis is one of the founders of the UK based, award-winning Springboard Consultancy, with 32 years of experience of innovation in the field of work and personal development training.

A published author of five books. Liz’s best-selling ‘Springboard Womens’ Development Workbook’ has been translated into 12 languages and is in use around the world.

Liz’s training programmes are delivered in 33 countries, through an international network of 1,000 especially trained trainers.

With a background and training in the arts, for the last eight years, Liz has been running courses on developing creativity as both a workplace and personal skill.

Liz is also an exhibiting abstract painter and stained glass artist.

Well known for her pioneering work in Women’s Development, developing ground-breaking programmes for women at all levels in the workplace.

Awarded a ‘European Woman of Achievement’ award in 2000 for ‘promoting pan-European understanding and inspiring others.’ Also awarded ‘The Lady Platt Award’, a national ‘National Training Award’ and a regional ‘National Training Award’.

BA (Hons) in three-dimensional design.

Fellow of the RSA.

Trustee of ‘Appledore Arts’ – the UK’s largest annual visual arts festival.

Founding Trustee of ‘The Ken Sprague Fund’, which promotes political cartooning as being a symptom of a healthy society.

www.springboardconsultancy.com/

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2 comments

Comment Link Sunday, 24 February 2013 15:03 posted by Vanni (Myfanwy) Cook
Liz's passion for all forms of creativity endeavour is like an injection of colour into a grey winter day. It's always been a privilege to work with her, and to watch, as she encourages others to experiment with the creative process and to achieve their often long-cherished aspirations.
Comment Link Thursday, 14 February 2013 18:13 posted by Viv Quillin
I've been on Liz's Purple Process course and found that the knock on effect on my creative productivity was profound.

Although I'm not short of ideas, loads of unconcious blocks were getting in the way of trying them out.

It was so helpful to spot the blocks so that I can
clear them out of the way and do things that are both fun and useful . I've learnt to integrate my logical and my creative thoughts instead of them being in a fight.

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