It feels, sometimes, like I exist in a perpetual state of… not exactly struggle, but perhaps a more elegant term: a dynamic tension. Two forces, seemingly at odds, constantly vying for dominance.
On one hand, I'm drawn to the abstract, the imaginative – the artist in me. On the other, I'm driven by practicality, by finding solutions to real-world problems – the designer in me.
It's a constant tug-of-war, this struggle between creativity and practicality. And to be honest, the lines between "art" and "design" can get pretty blurry. Design itself is a constantly evolving concept, often misunderstood as simply aesthetics or decoration.
Note: Throughout this piece, "architect" is used synonymously with "designer." It's important to acknowledge that the term "design" itself is incredibly malleable, its meaning shifting dramatically depending on the context. In the realm of art, "design" often connotes logic, constraints, the very essence of the physical world. In architecture, however, it can evoke the softer side of concepts – ideas, marketing, the intangible forces that shape the built environment.
My career – a curious blend of architecture, interior design, and the digital realm of UX – has only served to amplify this inherent duality. In architecture, I wrestled with the tension between soaring ambition and the cold, hard realities of gravity and building codes. Interior design demanded a delicate balance between aesthetic expression and the pragmatic needs of human habitation. And in the digital sphere, the challenge lies in translating the ephemeral nature of human experience into the rigid logic of code.
The Artist’s Journey Inward
The artist's journey is a solitary one, a quest for self-discovery. It seeks to shatter the confines of convention, to express the ineffable through unconventional means. Artists explore the uncharted territories of the subconscious mind, challenging norms and conventions. Their work is a reflection of their inner world, a manifestation of their hopes, fears, and dreams.
The Architect's Mission Outward
Like the designer's mission is to shape the world, to create experiences that are both functional and beautiful. The architect finds solace in structure, in the elegant simplicity of well-defined systems. It delights in the meticulous planning of a project, the satisfaction of solving a complex puzzle with elegant precision. This side of me seeks to optimize, to streamline, to create systems that are not merely functional but also a testament to human ingenuity.
This internal dichotomy, this constant dance between chaos and order, can be, at times, quite… vexing. The artist within me often threatens to derail the architect's carefully laid plans, while the architect's pragmatism can stifle the artist's most audacious flights of fancy.
But are these roles truly distinct? Or are they two sides of the same coin, interconnected and interdependent? Perhaps they are quantum states, existing in multiple states simultaneously…
Thinking Inside and Outside the Box (Literally)
For the true power lies not in choosing one side over the other, but in cultivating the ability to seamlessly shift between these two perspectives. To zoom in and out, to move fluidly between the intuitive leaps of the artist and the analytical rigor of the architect. This fluidity of thought allows us to break free from rigid mental frameworks, to see problems from multiple angles, and to develop more nuanced and creative solutions.
As Robert Edward Grant said, "When we change the way we see things, things we see change." Our perception shapes our reality and that is only the very beginning to drastic changes like
Enhanced consciousness: By shifting perspectives, we can access higher levels of thinking and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Improved critical thinking: The ability to move between different modes of thought allows us to approach problems from multiple angles and develop more creative and effective solutions.
Increased flexibility and adaptability: This fluidity of mind allows us to navigate the complexities of life with greater ease and grace.
Inner peace: By embracing the dynamic interplay between these two forces, we can cultivate a sense of wholeness and inner peace.
By cultivating this dynamic interplay, we can enhance our ability to think critically on higher dimensions, to connect seemingly disparate ideas, and to navigate the complexities of the modern world with greater ease and grace. Moreover, this constant shifting between perspectives can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves, a greater sense of self-awareness, and ultimately, a profound sense of inner peace.
Here, I'm exploring the limitations of the traditional linear model for the creative process, the Double Diamond. It argues for a more fluid and dynamic approach, the "Synarchic Double Diamond," which integrates the intuitive, artistic side of the mind with the logical, architectural side. By embracing this duality and cultivating the ability to seamlessly shift between these two modes of thinking, we can unlock greater creativity, enhance our problem-solving abilities, and ultimately, achieve a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
A New Framework for Creative Exploration
The classic Double Diamond, with its emphasis on discovery, definition, development, and delivery, attempts to neatly package the creative process into a linear, almost mechanical sequence. But creativity, as I have come to learn.. rarely follows such a predictable path. It's more like a jazz improvisation, a constant interplay of intuition and logic, of chaos and order.
*Note: Throughout this piece, "architect/architecture" is used synonymously with "designer/design." It's important to acknowledge that the term "design" itself is incredibly malleable, its meaning shifting dramatically depending on the context. In the realm of art, "design" often connotes logic, constraints, the very essence of the physical world. In architecture, however, it can evoke the softer side of concepts – ideas, marketing, the intangible forces that shape the built environment.
From 2020 notebook: Trying to understand the difference between architecture and product design.
My background – a blend of architecture, interior design, and even a brief foray into the digital realm – has led me to question the rigidity of this framework. The Double Diamond, in its essence, captures a temporal-spatial dynamic. However, my initial interpretations were overly focused on the temporal, on the linear progression through time. I was missing something crucial: the inward journey.
The Double Diamond, as I initially understood it, felt like a rigid set of instructions, a checklist to be dutifully followed. But creativity, at its core, is an inherently messy, unpredictable process. It's about allowing yourself to get lost in the labyrinth of your own mind, to explore the uncharted territories of the subconscious.
The Synarchic Double Diamond
Key Dualities:
The Artist (Inwardly Divergent): Embodies the spatial, the expansive. They are driven by intuition, emotion, and the subconscious. This is the realm of exploration, where we tap into the collective unconscious, delve into the depths of human psychology, and channel the divine spark of creativity (Discover phase).
The Designer (Outwardly Convergent): Embodies the temporal, the linear. They are driven by logic, reason, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. This is the realm of decision-making, where we define, develop, and deliver solutions (Define, Develop, Deliver phases).
So imagine the Double Diamond reframed: not as a linear progression, but as a dynamic interplay between two distinct yet interconnected forces.
Discover (The Artist): This phase belongs to the artist within. It's a time for divergent thinking, for embracing the chaos, for allowing your mind to wander freely. Like a painter exploring the canvas, you delve into the problem from every conceivable angle, embracing the unexpected connections, the serendipitous moments of insight. This is where you tap into the collective unconscious, exploring the emotional landscape of the problem and seeking deeper meaning. It's a time for daydreaming, for free association, for allowing the subconscious to weave its magic.
Define (The Designer): Now, we shift gears. The artist begins to cede some ground to the designer. This is the phase of convergent thinking, where the ethereal must be translated into something tangible. We begin to impose structure on the chaos, translating the artist's insights into clear, concise problem statements. We consider the practical constraints, the limitations, the realities of the situation. But we do so with a mindful awareness of the emotional core of the problem, ensuring that the solution remains not just functional, but also emotionally resonant.
Develop (Synarchy): This is where the true alchemy occurs. The artist and the designer engage in a dynamic, ongoing dialogue. It's a phase of constant experimentation, of iterative refinement. The artist pushes boundaries, explores unconventional approaches, embraces the potential for failure. The designer provides structure, evaluates options, ensures feasibility. This is where the magic happens, where intuition and logic dance in a harmonious, yet unpredictable, rhythm.
Deliver (Artist + Designer = Architect): Finally, the architect takes the lead, orchestrating the implementation of the vision. But the artist remains an integral part of the process, ensuring that the final product retains the emotional resonance and the soul of the initial inspiration.
This "Synarchic Double Diamond" acknowledges the inherent messiness of creativity. It embraces the unpredictable, the chaotic, the unexpected. It recognizes that the most impactful solutions often emerge from the fertile ground where intuition and logic collide.
The Benefits of Synarchy
This framework transcends the limitations of a purely linear approach. It encourages a more holistic, more human-centered approach to design. By embracing both the intuitive leaps of the artist and the methodical approach of the designer, we can cultivate a more nuanced, more insightful understanding of the challenges we face.
Ultimately, it's about cultivating a mindset that embraces the dynamic interplay between these two forces. It's about recognizing the power of both human ingenuity and the tools at our disposal, while always keeping the human experience at the forefront. It's about recognizing that true creativity lies not in following a rigid set of rules, but in navigating the unpredictable currents of the creative process with grace and agility.
