News

Imagining alternative futures with creativity

Creativity is a buzzword – but what does it mean?
Imagining alternative futures Illustration: Janne Kuisma
Illustration: Janne Kuisma

Creativity is a difficult term to describe, yet it’s a highly valued skill of today. The unprecedented speed of change necessitates us to learn new things fast and collaborate to get the benefit of combining different expertise in new ways. 

Creative people are often able to view things from different perspectives, find hidden opportunities and generate original ideas that have value. The ability to dream big and express unique insights can lead to important discoveries, which besides creativity and imagination also need a dose of good luck and a comprehensive network. 

On a team level, creativity requires good dynamics, experimentation, open dialogue and a great deal of trust. Innovative teams learn from failure, faster than others. 

However, creativity is not only about innovation – it’s strongly related to experiences, self-expression and self-fulfilment. Imagination makes us humans different from other species, and expressions of the human imagination spread important social and cultural values. 

The good news is that anyone can become more creative. It’s a skill that requires sustained practice, openness, and perseverance because experimenting with new things constantly pushes us out of our comfort zone. 

Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? Radical creativity is a cross-cutting theme in Aalto’s new strategy, something that we want to increase and scale-up, both on a personal and organisational level. 

Read on to learn what Aalto scholars have to say about creativity. 

Aalto-yliopisto, Otaniemi stories: Jaan Praks, apulaisprofessori, radiotieteen ja -tekniikan laitos / Kuvaaja: Sinikoski

Radical creativity – it’s a gamble

The first Finnish satellite was a creative and very risky project.

News
Julia Lohmann and Department of Seaweed. Photo: Mikko Raskinen

From not knowing to new knowledge via imagining

Julia Lohmann considers design a bridge-building discipline that enables collaboration and communication across disciplines.

News
Associate professor Elisa Mekler. Photo: Matti Ahlgren

Contributing to a better future with creativity

Radical creativity is my elixir, it motivates and revitalises my interest in research and the world at large, says assistant professor Elisa Mekler.

News
man standing in a storage in front of the window, wearing a white laboratory coat, smiling

Mixing people

Mixing people with different backgrounds is a nutrient for creativity, says professor Tapani Vuorinen.

News
Provost Kristiina Mäkelä. Photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi

Radical creativity empowers new thinking

Aalto aims to take an internationally leading position concerning radical creativity and its leadership.

News
Aalto innovations present at Flow Festival, photo by Samuli Pentti

Radical creativity sparks discoveries

An idea that may sound crazy at first can be the key to solving significant challenges. Aalto University provides a favourable environment for daring initiatives that can lead to the discovery of some genuinely novel solutions.

Give for the future

Unfolded

Aalto University UNFOLDED magazine focuses on contemporary issues dealing with creativity, experimentation, and transdisciplinary co-creation.

Read more
Unfolded_logo

Radical creativity

We build an outstanding creative community for new thinking.

Read more
Radical creativity illustration: Anna Muchenikova
  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Are you a lark or an owl?
Research & Art, University Published:

Chronotype differences in sleep habits and health outcomes

A research study is being conducted to learn more about the differences between 'lark' (early bird) and 'owl' (late bird) chronotypes and you can help by becoming a volunteer!
Researchers having a discussion in a meeting room with their laptops open on the table
Research & Art Published:

Engineering enzymes with AI

A research team from Aalto University and VTT will construct a virtual laboratory for enzyme engineering, which will allow human-AI collaboration to flourish.
Portraits of Kamyar Hasanzadeh and Marika Tervahartiala over an image of the Makerspace along with event name and information.
Research & Art Published:

New event: Aalto Research Data Uncovered

Join us online or in-person at the Hybrid Stage!
Forest
Studies, University Published:

Aalto University Summer School Offers Leading Transformation Course

Aalto University's immersive Leading Transformation course prepares students for future challenges by developing creative thinking skills, an understanding of self, and the ability to deal with uncertainty. The course also explores the concept of meaning in future work life.