Digital creativity is simply using digital tools creatively to create creative tools. let’s follow up with an example to demystify it.
Before that just know that we shall go through one example of the free public digital tools. This is not the only example. There are a lot of free tools out there. You will meet on your track to mastery the creative tools that match your track and target. So the example we are going to use here is a practical example that you might be aware of, you might be interested to explore more, or you might use it to reflect on your track in the digital or physical realm.
The core idea is that as your knowledge or knowing grows, the tools that will unfold between your hands will corollate to your stage on the track. Exploring further forward on your track behind you stage is a great motivator to continue and grow. Exploring other tracks from bottom up without details is also a great eye openers to new opportunities and experiences. But, trying to solve problems that are not on your track is a waste of effort and a distraction.
How digital tools facilitates creativity?
It is better to follow up with an example. Let’s return to the example we used in our chat: The Future of Maintenance – Part 20 – Tracks of Mastery
We used a spreadsheets app as an example of the digital tools. We asked: What are you currently doing using the spreadsheets app and Why? For example, I am just entering data in the spreadsheet. So, you have the know that a spreadsheet is an electronic document in which data is arranged in the rows and columns. Then, you just need to enter data quickly and correctly in the right fields.
What if you now know more about that spreadsheet. So it not used only is an electronic document in which data is arranged in the rows and columns. But, you know also that you can use spreadsheets to manipulate data and use it in calculations. Then your target may be the mastery of writing equations that target the correct data in columns and rows and do some digitally creative calculations whether financial or mathematical. What if you know more that you can use spreadsheets to analyze and display data using charts and pivot tables. Then, you have an opportunity to show off your digital creativity in creating reports using these data. You may also use it to reach Data-Driven Decision Making which is the utmost target of digital creativity.
Each step of knowing more sparks more creative options for you.
On a different track you know for example that Google Sheets, which is a free online app, is linked with other free apps as Apps Scripts and Forms. How this will stimulate your creativity?
How the free tools can enrich our digital creativity?
The Apps Script allows you to create your functions that manipulate the data. Do you remember when you were on track 1 in spreadsheets, you mastery level was to master entering data correctly. On this track the mastery level is to create your own custom tools. That’s opens a total new level of adventures, opportunities and digital creativity.
Forms on the other hand allows you to collect data. You create a form, distribute a link of it to the concerned team members, receive the filled form loaded with all types of data, finally the data coming with the response will be stored in your sheet. Then, you can use this fresh data in your calculations, analysis and decision making.
What if you can mix Sheets with Forms and Apps Scripts? You can mix those capabilities with your digital creativity and create a system of task management. So, you send the new tasks as forms and, set a date for the feedback. Then your creative app will periodically aka time-driven check if the task aka form received a feedback or not. If no feedback is received, it will send a reminder. While if a feedback is received, it will check its status. If task is closed, it will mark if it is closed on time or delayed. Otherwise, it will mark that this response needs your attention and reply.
At the end when you open your sheet all the status are updated and you see a fresh visually indictive records, graphs, charts or numbers telling you the status of the tasks.
Free tools are available, make some effort to unleash their capabilities then let yourself be creative in using them.
But, why are such creative tools free?
Actually most of the digital development tools have free tiers. How generous is the free tier depends on the app development team. Most of the app developers choose to offer their apps for free. Then they make money through other means, such as in-app purchases, advertisements, or by offering a premium version of the app.
Some bigger tech organizations as Google has some apparent reasons built in their mission. e.g. Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. If you delve deeper in Android apps development, you can see the Google provide a wealth of free tools to develop apps for free. All what you need is a one time 25USD fee just when you intend to publish one of your apps. The Android Studio team from Google says that millions of developers around the world would bring more creative ideas than any development team. That’s why they make it easy for those who have the ambition to start. However a development team is big and skilled, their creativity will hill have limits and borders.
Those passionate enthusiastic developers out there whom no one knows about can drive the creativity wheel sky-high. Moreover they bring the creative ideas that their local communities need. Which increases Google popularity and reach for free.
After some time, those successful ambitious developer would like to go their hobby to the professional level and create some business around it. Then Google profits from the business subscriptions , business services and ads.
Those from the conspiracy theory side believe that all of this free material and tools try only to hook your data, preach your privacy and resell them.
In Conclusion,
At the end of the day, it is your personal mental construction that drives your perceptions. Your perceptions drive your thoughts and deeds. No right or wrong, there are merely decisions and consequences and t any time you can make a new decision.
But the truth will still prevail and the truth is that Digital creativity is simply using digital tools creatively to create creative tools. And, Each step of knowing more sparks more creative options for you.
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