Outcomes of the Creativity Survey

in Estonia

Finland 2012

Demography

• 300 questionnaires• 62 responses• Women – 79%, Men -21%• Age 15-24 (40,3%)

25-34 (21 %) 35-44 (29%)

45-54 (6,5% 55-64 (3,2%)

• Status – mostly students (70,3%), all the sectors except for retired people, were represented

Occupations

• Student• Assistant,specialist,project manager• Salesman/woman, shop assistant• Designer (furniture)• Writer, translator• Psychologist, therapist• Researh worker• Enetrpreneur• Teacher, lecturer, trainer

How would You describe “creativity”

• New – 12• Ability – 17 • Different, special -17• To create – 8• Instant, quick – 3• Original – 2• Game – 1• Spontaneus – 1• Extraordinary – 1• Solution - 25• Not of the kind – 4• Joy – 1

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• “Creativity means how “specially” one is able to see or do something”• “For me creativity is a skill, opportunity and will to create, to step out of my

comfort zone, to let my spirit free and not to be restricted by rules or prescriptions”

What kind of colours, shapes, voices, fragrances, tastes etc. cross Your mind, when You hear the word: “Creativity”?

• yellow - 6• blue - 11• green - 5• white - 5• black - 5• grey – 2 (grey hair, grey feathers)• pink- 2• rainbow - 5• bubbling - 1• multicoloured – 4• circle – 2• flowing - 5• sweet - 7• sour – 4 (3 sweet and sour)• salty - 2• different– 8

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• “Green, red, pink.. … all the colours appear in big combination. Smth flowing, including different sounds and tunes”

• “Bunch of grey feathers, sudden fall in deep gulf, grey hair of the professor and the words “the principle of least resistance”

When I am creative...

• ...I’m in dialogue with my inner world

• …I’m not too much orientated on visible results

• …I’m openminded, innovative, joyful.

• …feeling that I could do everything

• … feeling good, successful, happy

When I am not creative...

• ...I feel like squeezed in a narrow room

• …. Framed, inflexible, boring

• ….overtired, probably hungry and very sleepy, can’t focus

• …. Dull, stagnant, restricted, energy low, one-sided

What kind of films, books, songs, paintings or other pieces of art

gave You a ‘creative experience’? • • Books:Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Master and

Margarita, The Little Prince, Alice in Wonderland, A. Lindgren’s books, Hermann Hesse,G.G.Marquez, poetry, fairytales, biography books

• Artists: Munch, Salvador Dali, , Rubens, Monet• Films: “Julie and Julia”, “Lost in Translation”, “Sin

City”,”Intouchable”, “An Estonian in Paris”, “Avatar”, “Inception”, “Eat,Pray,Love”

• Music: Beethoven, Arvo Pärt, jazz, Viikate “Kivi itkee virheää”

What kind of factors, circumstances awake Your

creativity?• When I feel safe and feel that I’m doing the

right thing. • Art experience (music, book, etc.)• some deadlock or problem• Kids, friends• Different pleasant activities like sports,

cooking, etc. • Cold and dark winter nights• Flirting

What was the last time You have been creative?

• Filling in the quetionnaire:).• Yesterday night I wrote a short story. • I found an interesting job offer. At first it seemed

very difficult to me. As I went deeper, my mind opened and ideas came how to make it appropriate and attractive for me.

• I had to make a quick decision, how to save home from flood.

• Playing with kids, cooking• Writing poetry, music, painting, drawing, doing

handicraft• Workshops, group work, teaching

What do You think about creative people ?

• Appriciate very much, because:1. They are open minded, with great

sense of humour, original, innovative, versatile,

2. They are intersting conversation partners.

3. Due to them life is richer and life isn’t just consuming and making money.

I usually try to find creative solutions in my work.

• As my everyday work contains much paperwork, I try to find simpler solutions by being creative.

• As a translator I have to be creative all the time finding proper words and expressions.

• While consulting clients I need creative attitude in order to help my clients to solve problems.

• I try to invent new opportunities for advertising our company. For involving co-workers we have a white board where eveybody can put down their fresh ideas

I like new challenges and new situations.

• Climbed Elbrus..

• Performing to a big crowd in foreign language

• Training young horses

• Passing the pilot training

• Becoming a freelancer

Creative people are happy

• Don’t believe that creativity is causally or correlatively related to happiness

• Creative people, they just are happier as creativity provides satisfaction and gives pleasure.

People need time to be creative

• No special time needed.

• Creativity adds speed to action. To see the opportunity where the others see the obstacle.

• Sometimes creativity starts up in stress situation.

• Creativity opens people’s mind • Creativity opens people emotionally• Creativity enhances work effectiveness• Creativity enhances the level of

motivation of the employees

Were there any answers you think is tipical to your nation?

Thank you!

Marju Tammiste

Signe Reppo