Design Better

Keith Sawyer: Become more creative by learning to see

20 snips
Sep 24, 2025
In a captivating conversation, Keith Sawyer, the Morgan Distinguished Professor at UNC Chapel Hill and a leading creativity researcher, shares insights from his book, *Learning to See*. He emphasizes that creativity stems from observation and improvisation rather than isolated genius. Keith explores how successful artists engage in a dialogue with their work and why ambiguity fuels creativity. He also discusses the role of AI in enhancing but not replacing human creative processes, offering practical tips for cultivating observational skills in daily life.
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ANECDOTE

From MIT To Video Games By Chance

  • Keith Sawyer took a leap from MIT to join a tiny video game company after meeting a fellow MIT ring wearer on a plane.
  • That early experience combined coding and creativity and steered his path toward studying creative processes.
INSIGHT

Creativity Emerges In The Process

  • Creativity often emerges during the act of making, not before a single brilliant idea appears.
  • Keith Sawyer describes the creative process as improvisational and iterative across disciplines.
INSIGHT

Sustaining Creativity Over A Career

  • Sustained creativity requires practices and mindsets, not a single breakthrough.
  • Experienced creators switch projects and disciplines to stay engaged and productive over decades.
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