The Best Apps For Creativity
Creativity means different things to different people. Apps such as Instagram and Magic Piano do not assume any prior experience in photography and music respectively, but are designed to help novices explore some of the intricacies of both art forms. For example, the grid that Instagram overlays on your photos as you edit them is subtly making you think about the composition of your shots, while its manual controls allow you to apply filters and processes such as vignette or tilt shift, once the preserve of professional photographers.
Other apps, such as Vine, cater to different levels of skill. Shooting a six-second loop and sharing it can be done by anyone, but creative micro-film-makers experimenting with stop-motion and visual trickery are producing genuinely imaginative work with it.
Here are some of our favorite apps to help with creativity and get you in the mindset with a little assistance.
*** Brainstormer ***
As the developer puts it, the Brainstormer app is kindling for creative minds. As a writer, I love playing with this app for a story, character ideas, worldbuilding, and even creature building. It’s just fun.
A tactile tool to randomly combine a plot, a subject, and a setting or style, the Brainstormer provides a moment of inspiration for writers, painters, or any creative mind. Combat creative block, spark new ideas, and summon up quick subjects for doodling, sketching, or journaling.
*** Get Unstuck ***
When you are trying to solve a problem, if your next step is obvious, then do it. Most often, this is not the case. When that happens, take a step back and think what it is that you need to figure out, or do, or work through next. Write down a question about a narrow part of that. Make it as specific as you can. Then answer that question. Repeat.
*** Autodesk SketchBook ***
You never know when a great idea will strike, so access to fast and powerful creative sketching tools is an invaluable part of any creative process. Autodesk is a powerful creative app that is an invaluable part of any creative process. From quick conceptual sketches to fully finished artwork, sketching out ideas is the heart of the creative process.
*** Pinterest ***
Looking for creative ideas? Whether you’re planning your next adventure, searching for home design concepts, fashion inspiration, fitness tips, or checking out new recipes, you can find unlimited inspiration on Pinterest.
*** GarageBand ***
GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right for your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. With a complete sound library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists. It’s easy to learn, play, record, create, and share your hits worldwide. Now you’re ready to make music like a pro.
*** Brainsparker ***
When you’re trying to come up with a new creative solution, a popular brainstorming exercise is to write words on slips of paper, pull them out of a hat at random, relate them to the problem at hand, and see what they spark in your brain.
In other words, sometimes you need a bit of randomness to generate the right creative ideas. It might sound stupid but if you keep an open mind, it really can work.
Brainsparker is a free app that provides a similar exercise to stretch your creative muscles. The app contains 200 cards containing thought-provoking words and phrases; you simply shake your device to shuffle the pack and produce a new card. The rest, of course, is up to you.
*** TED Talks ***
TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a global set of conferences under the slogan ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’. Attracting some of the most innovative and provocative thought-leaders on the planet, the best TED talks can provide a shot in the arm of refreshed creative inspiration.
The free TED app includes hundreds of videos to download to your device, and even has an ‘Inspire Me’ function, which makes it easy to select exactly what kind of inspiration you’re looking for.
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