As we all know, creative inspiration sometimes requires a jump start, particularly when a deadline looms. In a previous post, I described how the SCAMPER technique acts as a creative trigger for ideas. SCAMPER, of course, is only one creative thinking tool in a treasure chest filled with idea-generating techniques. Another useful tool for creative inspiration is Attribute Listing.

Back in the 1930s, Attribute Listing was devised to develop new and/or improved products from existing or known products by breaking them down into their characteristic parts, or attributes, listing individual elements that fit these attributes, and then combining selected elements from some of the attributes in new ways. In the industrial world, for example, a manufacturer might decide to develop a new pen that stands out from its competitors. Some of the attributes of a typical pen might be said to be style, color, ink delivery method, comfort, and type of ink. By identifying specific styles, colors, ink delivery methods, elements of comfort, and types of ink, and then combining the best ideas from each of these attributes, it is possible to develop a new and improved pen. The same is true when a fashion designer develops a new bag, whose attributes might be said to be material (fabric, leather, synthetic), hardware (buckle, button, snap, handle), intended use (book bag, evening bag, laptop bag), and style (formal, sporty, classic, playful). By listing specific possibilities for each attribute of a bag, and then selecting and combining the most appealing ideas, a designer produces a new bag.

Attribute Listing is chiefly a creative thinking tool that is designed to be used in a limited way—to improve upon a pre-existing idea or product. However, the possibilities for improvement of an idea or product are endless. To apply the Attribute Listing technique, follow this five-step plan:

1. Identify your goal, i.e., what idea or product do you want to improve?
2. Identify 4 to 8 attributes, or characteristics, of this idea or product. There are no right or wrong answers here; you determine the attributes you want to analyze.
3. List as many specific ideas for each attribute as you can. Resist the urge to reject ideas; write them down without analyzing them.
4. Go back through your list of attributes, and circle the best ideas for each one. This is, of course, subjective.
5. Consider how you might combine the best ideas.

Let’s take a look at how you can use Attribute Listing. If I want to develop an Etsy “Treasury,” a showcase of Etsy products that I believe is special in some way, Attribute Listing provides me with an endless array of ideas. Typical attributes of a Treasury could include theme, style, audience, technique and material. By listing the first ideas that come to mind for each attribute, I will have the start of an Attribute List that I can use to develop a Treasury:

Theme: color, ecological, industrial, nature, floral, toys, songs, books, indoor, outdoor, tools
Style: modern, Western, vintage, Victorian, medieval, eclectic
Audience: adult, women, men, children, teen, baby
Technique: crochet, collage, beadweaving, felting, knitting, metalwork, glassblowing, painting, encaustic, woodworking, sewing, macrame, Scherenschnitte
Material: yarn, fabric, feathers, beads, buttons, paper, glass, wood, metal, plastic

For the purpose of this exercise, I will select the following elements from each Attribute to create a Treasury:

Theme: floral
Style: eclectic
Audience: women
Technique: showcase multiple techniques
Material: showcase multiple materials

Finally, below is a blog-style Treasury of BBEST artists’ floral creations I could develop from the attributes I have listed. Try this yourself the next time you want to create a special Treasury, or to improve upon an idea or product you already have. Creative thinking tools such as Attribute Listing or the previously-described SCAMPER are situation-driven techniques. In other words, much as you would use a hammer and not a block of wood to drive a nail into a board, ideally you can select the right creative thinking tool for the inspirational challenge you are facing.


© 2009 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved. Please note that the images in this post are owned by the artists and may not be used without permission. Simultaneously published at http://sparklines.blogspot.com.

(1) Chocolatey Mochaccino
Ingredients:
1/4C hot milk
1/4C hot, strong coffee
2-3 Tablespoons Hershey’s Special Dark syrup
Whipped cream


Directions:
Stir together hot milk, hot coffee and chocolate syrup in large mug or cup. Top with whipped cream. Serve immediately. One serving.

(2) Ganache Dark Fudgy Brownies
Ingredients:
3/4C Hershey’s cocoa
1/2t baking soda
2/3C butter or margarine, melted and divided
1/2C boiling water
2C sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3C all-purpose flour
1t vanilla extract
1/4t salt
1C Hershey’s semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
CHOCOLATE GANACHE (recipe below)
Fresh strawberries



(3) Mississippi Mud Cake


Directions:
Cream 1 lb. butter, 4C sugar, 1C cocoa. Add 8 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one.
Add 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking powder.
Add gradually: 3C flour, 2C flaked cocoanut, 2C nuts (pieces)
Bake at 350 F in an 11" x 15" greased pan for about 40 minutes, or until a silver knife comes out clean.


Frost with the following recipe:
2/3C cocoa
2 boxes powdered Confectioner's sugar
3/4C milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Combine and beat until smooth.

Remember the nursery rhyme?

Your white slatted wooden armchair sits in the corner by the bay window of the nursery. The blinds have been lowered to stop the bright sun’s rays from streaming into the room too much. Now! Your little one has become restless in their cot so you pick him up (or her!) to cuddle and soak up that wonderful ‘baby’ smell of talcum powder. As you make yourself comfortable in your nursery chair with your precious bundle you remember a nursery rhyme from your childhood.

The origins and history are unknown but the first publication date for this nursery rhyme is 1744. It is thought that the rhyme originated to encourage little ones to learn about clocks and time; another thought is that is derived from the North American Indian word ‘pawcohiccora’ which is an oily milk like liquid that is pressed from pounded hickory buts. The word ‘Pohickory’ was contained in a list of Virginia trees published in 1653. The word ‘Pohickory’ was then shortened to ‘hickory’.

The origins of the word ‘dock’ come from a species of plant we all know. Whenever we find a nettle plant there will always be a dock plant nearby the leaves of which we use for its healing properties to relieve the sting of the nettle.

Isn’t interesting to search the history and origins of something so familiar to all of us?

Anyway, back to where we were!

As your little one gazes up to you, softly you begin to sing…

Hickory dickory dock!
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down….
Hickory dickory dock!
Tick tock, tick tock.

Hickory dickory dock!
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck two
The mouse said, ‘Boo’
Hickory dickory dock!
Tick tock, tick tock.

Whilst the warm rays of the sun shielded by the blinds throw their glow over you and your precious one let’s wander around Etsy.com and the BBEST team to see what we can find!

Hickory Dickory Dock giclee print by Winborg Design

This print would look delightful in the nursery, especially framed to match the nursery colours.

Hickory Dickory Dock cross stitch set by Celestes Babies

Imagine completing this lovely sampler style piece of work and framing it. It would be so unique and lovely!

Happy Times – quilted fabric postcard by Attack of the Vintage

A quilted postcard that can be used as a picture for the nursery too with all its fun characters.

Personalised knit baby blanket by Blazing Needles

What could be more precious that a personalised blanket to tuck around whilst singing a nursery rhyme?

Stork and Baby vintage necklace/bookmark by Joonwalk

This is such a cute nursery image from the 1930s era.

Burb pad and drool bib set by Scottie Acres Boutique

Just the set to use when baby is teething or being burped!

There were many more products I could have chosen to adorn the nursery. It is so important to create a welcoming, stimulating and happy environment that will leave a lasting impression on your little one… and, you!