The 5 Stages of Creativity

Which creative stage are you in? We're here to help you make the most of any idea.

It takes a village to bring a story or brand to life. I founded the creative studio SMOLDER with this in mind—to support artists, makers, and innovators.

Since we’re still getting to know each other, I’m curious: What is your favorite phase of the creative process?

Perhaps, you thrive during preparation. Ideas swirl around your mind. You try to catch them like fireflies in a glass jar, but some glow brighter than others. You tirelessly research and brainstorm, making list after list. 

When you step away from the beaten path of ideation, incubation can be the most freeing and revelatory. You give yourself the space to roam without any expectations. 

Many desperately seek that eureka moment, also known as illumination or insight. After meditating on ideas and hitting a rut, something eventually clicks. It’s that same satisfaction you feel when you press the final piece into a challenging puzzle.

Upon finding a solution, you may embark on the evaluation stage. You research work from your peers, weigh a concept’s benefits, log improvements, and reflect on a project’s potential impact.

By the final step, verification or elaboration, gears are turning. You’re ready to take action to bring that unique song, article, novel, screenplay, or illustration to life. 

Ushering an idea across the finish line can be a difficult uphill battle. I imagine Sisyphus—an icon from Greek mythology—rolling a gigantic boulder up and down a hill for eternity.

You may nest on ideas, waiting and waiting for them to hatch. But do we ever feel truly ready?

When you release a creative work into the ether, it feels like a part of you is sacrificed. Maybe, that’s why it can be so hard to let go. The struggle is real. I can read and rework the same sentence over and over, but if I did that, I’d never hit publish.

No wonder my favorite stage is preparation… I live for brainstorming, researching, listing, and vision boarding. When you enter that creative flow state and everything seems possible, no idea is off-limits.

One lesson I’m still trying to learn? Stop sharing your dreams, goals, and wildest ideas with everyone before they have a chance to bloom. Even if you don’t ask, people will always lend their two cents. 

Of course, constructive criticism is essential. We need objective voices to ask the hard questions and set us straight, but when it’s too early in the journey, we can feel weighed down by all the negatives.

There are many reasons why we should or shouldn’t do something. If you feel a tug on your heartstrings or an idea keeps circling back, it’s imperative to act. People can shape or influence the path, but it’s up to you to start…and finish. I’ll be right there with you!