Does creativity need boundaries?

[Terxpahseyton]

When I create something totally new, I often have to walk through a valley of angst first. In this valley there is only horizon, and no way to tell which direction to take. I think I only overcome it by first finding boundaries.

On the other hand, it seems easy to flourish when having those boundaries set and when the game is to most of all adapt.
I think there is also a saying that boundaries breed creativity. It also makes sense, in a way. Humans are energy savers. Why be creative when there is nothing in your way?

Discuss

 

[Gori the Grey]

Nuns fret not at their convent's narrow room.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

When I create something totally new, I often have to walk through a valley of angst first. In this valley there is only horizon, and no way to tell which direction to take. I think I only overcome it by first finding boundaries.

I'm reminded of the various writing competitions I've been part of over the years, whether it was as a competitor in the original Iron Pen contests over 10 years ago on another forum, to NaNoWriMo earlier this year.

Being told to "create something" can be intimidating when you're told "anything" when you ask what the guidelines are.

It's why I can't manage NaNoWriMo without an outline. I tried, and discovered that I need guideposts.

 

[Berzerker]

Why be creative when there is nothing in your way?

we need obstacles, dont we?

but the boundaries are meant to be overcome

 

[Ryika]

No, I don't think creativity needs boundaries, but it's a good starting point to create some boundaries for yourself and then start thinking about concrete ideas.
It's a way to force you to come up with something that works. But those boundaries can, and probably should, be widened, or completely removed, once you have a basic idea down.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Yes, insofar as ultimately any creative outcome will ultimately set boundaries of some sort. It might work better when the boundaries are part of/defined by the creativity, rather than something that constrains it. The latter works better as an engineering project, though sometimes creativity within constraints is quite useful too.