ENIGMA The mysteries of the zany and cosmic Cypher adventures and their nameless hero/zero.

Fueling the Creative Engine: 8 steps.

  

by James Gurney, creator of Dinotopia,
and Brad Teare, creator of Cypher.

Step 1. Initial Vision
Dysinhibition or farfetched connections. Ideas come from combining things that don't seem to go together at first. Easy access to unconscious material cause ideas to flit through the head as the "initial flicker." Thinking of exciting solutions, each idea competes with the last. Each new idea is increasingly innovative and has an escalating set of obstacles. At this stage, the obstacles mean nothing. The grandeur of the project is everything.

Step 2. Blending
Blending or fusion, is not an easy task. This fluid stage is conceptually called, "The Finder". A plan is being devised in the subconscious mind.

Step 3. Obstacle
The delicate glimpse of creative possibility is overshadowed and frustrated. Yet, hindrances are patterns intrinsic to the creative process. This is where ignored or unforeseen boundaries materialize.

Step 4. Tabling
Defer judgment until experience or confidence rises to the task. A sleepy, dull stupor may manifest while the unconscious mind shuffles ideas around.

Step 5. Resume and Lock in
"The Finder" is locked into a workable concept. This time concentrating on obstacles as the object of creative focus.

Step 6. Absorption
Intensity of focus and superior powers of concentration. Euphoric activity.

Step 7. Recognition
The half-finished project disappointingly falls short of the initial vision.

Step 8. Perseverance
Perseverance to project completion.

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