Creativity knows no boundaries, and its nurturing ground can often take unexpected forms. A recent visit to the College of Innovation and Design's Open XR Lab in Devlin Hall provided a vivid illustration of this principle for me. As I showed my family around this dynamic space, it was my mother's unconventional perspective that truly shed light on the importance of creative environments. 

Upon entering the Open XR Lab, my mother, a farmer hailing from rural Oregon with no formal college education herself, couldn't help but express her bemusement. "Is this a room for children?" she asked, her eyes taking in the playful setting that unfolded before her. I chuckled, for I realized that her question was not far from the mark. The Open XR Lab, with its whiteboards adorned with colorful writings, sticky notes, flip chart paper embellished with doodles, and marker caddies brimming with sharpies and markers, bore all the trappings of a creative playground. The room boasted bar top tables with green legs and wooden accents, making it clear that it was far from a conventional classroom. It was, in fact, a space where students engage in the serious play of creative thinking, ideation, and the pursuit of innovative solutions. 

 

 

What my mother's astute observation brought to the fore was a fundamental truth about creativity: it is, at its core, about play. And the environment in which we play, experiment, and explore can have a profound impact on our creative processes. Just as motivation and willpower are key drivers of creativity, the tools and resources at our disposal play an equally vital role. In the case of the College of Innovation Design's Open XR Lab, space itself becomes an essential partner in fostering creative thinking and ideation, two of the cornerstones of innovation design. 

 

 

Widget, another cherished space for MID (Master's of Innovation Design) students and their peers, is another testament to the power of creative environments. Widget offers a haven for collaboration and cross-disciplinary interaction. The room features an array of whiteboards, providing the canvas for ideas to flow freely, and its diverse seating options, from standard chairs to plush couches, provide comfort in whatever form the user may require. And Widget isn't just reserved for formal academic pursuits; it's also the heart of extracurricular activities for the MID community. It's here that we come together for our Innovation Design student group events, such as "Think Together Thursdays," MID Orientation, and to host other fun events for the College of Innovation Design. These gatherings are a testament to how creativity and community go hand in hand, reinforcing the idea that innovation doesn't happen in isolation but flourishes in a supportive and dynamic social ecosystem. 

However, creative spaces aren't confined to the university campus alone. I've also recognized the importance of crafting my personal environment to fuel my creativity. Recently, I revamped my home office setup to create a space that energizes me whether I'm working from home for my professional endeavors or for my studies. The key lesson in the discussion of creative spaces is the acknowledgment of our uniqueness. We all have our idiosyncrasies, and sometimes the most effective way to cultivate a creative space is by tailoring it to our individual tastes and needs. In my own personal space, I make room for diverse creative endeavors, from sewing and reading to gaming and art. The environment is versatile, much like my creative pursuits. 

 

 

The importance of environment, be it in a university lab, a collaborative space like Widget, or in our own homes, has always been paramount in my creative journey. These spaces, with their subtle power to inspire and catalyze creativity, serve as the backdrop against which innovation design can flourish. So, the next time you find yourself in a seemingly childlike room filled with playful tools, remember that it might just be the ideal space for cultivating innovative ideas and transforming them into reality.