Creative Sense-Making is a theoretical framework that views creativity as a process of emergent interaction rather than solely an internal cognitive activity.
Traditional approaches often describe creativity as the generation of ideas within an individual's mind. While internal cognitive processes undoubtedly contribute to creativity, Creative Sense-Making argues that novel ideas, meanings, and opportunities emerge through ongoing engagement with a world that continually responds to our actions.
Creativity is therefore understood as a form of sense-making.
Individuals perceive possibilities, take actions, encounter consequences, adapt their understanding, and generate new opportunities through interaction. This process unfolds continuously as people engage with materials, environments, technologies, collaborators, and evolving situations.
From this perspective, creativity is not a single moment of inspiration. It is an ongoing process of exploration, adaptation, and participation.
Creativity Emerges Through Interaction
Novel ideas emerge through engagement with the world rather than solely through internal thought.
Creativity Is Dynamic
Creative processes evolve through time as interactions generate new possibilities.
Creativity Is Situated
Creative activity is shaped by environments, tools, social contexts, and material conditions.
Creativity Is Participatory
Meaning and innovation emerge through participation in evolving systems rather than isolated cognition.
Creative Sense-Making shifts the focus of creativity research from individuals and products toward interactions and processes.
This perspective provides a foundation for studying collaboration, co-creation, creativity support tools, and human-AI creative partnerships.