Divergence and Convergence: The Two Fundamental Stages of the Creative Process

Unravel the mystery of creativity as we delve into its two fundamental stages: divergence and convergence. Discover how these contrasting yet complementary phases shape the creative process, sparking innovation and fostering originality.

In a world of endless content, endless advice, and endless options, how do we know when it’s time to stop taking in new information and start putting it to use?

Divergence and convergence: these terms describe the two fundamental stages of the creative process: divergence refers to opening up your senses and taking in information from the outside world, such as the start of a new project, and convergence refers to shutting off sources of distraction and narrowing your focus to arrive at an end result.

Know your modes

Divergence and convergence are so fundamental to the creative process, we can see it in action across every creative field

• Writers diverge by collecting raw material for the story they want to tell, sketching out potential characters, and researching historical facts.
• Designers converge by collecting samples and patterns, talking to users to understand their needs, or sketching possible solutions
• Photographers converge by taking spontaneous photos of things they find interesting, juxtaposing different kinds of photos together, or experimenting with new lighting or framing techniques
• When it’s time for divergence mode, you can purposefully create an environment to support that kind of thinking
• Open the doors and windows; put on energetic music; work in a lively cafe; ask others to brainstorm with you
• Try out new approaches or perspectives; explore new content you find online – whatever will help expose you to new inputs and challenge your assumptions

End with the beginning in mind

No creative work is ever truly finished

• There will always be more you can add, refine, and improve
• Sharing your work before it’s finished allows others to contribute their own ideas
• Our ideas are always in flux, always changing

Divergence

Every creative endeavor begins with an act of divergence. From the moment you decide to write that article, design that webpage, host that event, or launch that fundraising campaign, you begin to widen the scope of your attention.

• This early stage is divergent – it is about expanding the range of possibilities you’re open to, considering as many options as possible, exposing yourself to new ideas, and exploring potential pathways without committing to any single one.

Convergence

This is about coming to conclusions, making decisive decisions, choosing between trade offs, and prioritizing what is essential versus what is “nice to have.”

• You are purposefully narrowing the range of possibilities you are considering, so that you can converge on a final product (such as a document, a deliverable, or other outcome).

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