LJN Blog Posts

I just rewatched a brilliant you tube video on Creativity by John Cleese, worth watching in its entirety at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VShmtsLhkQg. He explains how creativity can only occur when we are in the ‘open’ mode of operation, a state that is playful, relaxed, expansive, not purposeful; and says there are five pre-requisites for creativity to take place: Space, Time, Time, Self Confidence, and Humour. Yes, Time is meant to be in there twice. Not only does he recommend having a discrete period of time set aside for creativity, with a clear beginning and end allowing one to put aside the ‘closed ‘ mode of thinking and be truly exploratory and playful, but he also says that the most creative people are those who are prepared to stick with the unresolved issue that they are trying to find a creative solution to, for longest. This can be an uncomfortable position to be in, and it is tempting to go for the first solution that comes to mind. Often one can be under pressure from colleagues or clients to appear decisive and come quickly to a solution, but Cleese claims there is evidence that better, more creative solutions come about when one simply persists, and spends longer exploring them in the ‘open’ state of mind.

I was reminded of a garden designer whom I interviewed some years ago for a magazine article. I asked him about how he approached his design work, and he said that he always knew straight away what he was going to do with his clients’ gardens. He came across as very confident and sure of himself, which I imagine may have impressed some of his clients. However when I visited a garden he had designed, I felt that the design was weak and superficial. I know in my own work that I can often get quite excited by my first attempts to solve a design problem, but when I make myself try out different solutions, I usually come up with something much better, and see the weakness of the initial scheme. Sometimes it can be good to put the work aside for a day or two and come back to it afresh, as if my mind has been quietly exploring the problem during that time and progress can be made even when my focus is elsewhere.

So – dear client! – please remember that good design takes time. Please don’t expect me to come to site and wave my arms around and declare that the pergola simply must go there, and the summerhouse over there. It doesn’t work like that – at least not if you want good, thoughtful, creative design. Oh – and also please remember that a little humour and irreverence is all part of the creative process! So – how many garden designers does it take to change a light bulb...?

www.chameleongardens.co.uk