Creativity is unique in every person and each individual is capable of finding creative solutions to problems, highlighted a workshop on Spark of Creativity organised as part of the Nobel Museums travelling exhibition currently being hosted in Dubai by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF).

Focusing on the individual level, Tobias Degsell, Curator at the Nobel Museum, pointed out that earlier it was believed that there were only few creative people in the world and that creativity was an inherent gift available to some unique people. However, far from it, everybody has the ability to be creative, Degsell stressed.

Referring to the creative capabilities of Nobel laureates, Degsell said there are no set criteria or definitive road map for being creative except qualities such as steadfastness to accuracy, attitudes of courage and perseverance, and a visionary and curious mind.

Degsell next drew the attention of the audience to group process in creativity, stating that at times group effort is required to solve a problem. Several Nobel laureates have highlighted the importance of collaborative approach to work, Degsell added.

Highlighting the reason why institutions such as Cambridge and Bell Labs have been able to produce a number of Nobel Prize winners, Degsell said a creative environment is vital to enhance creativity, and urged companies to look at ways to improve creativity in people by creating the right work environment.

The workshop concluded with a practical exercise in which each member of the audience were provided four Lego pieces and were asked to create a duck using them. The result was impressive as each individual had created a unique duck shape, highlighting the distinct creative ability in every person.

It was in 2010 that Tobias Degsell developed a concept named the Spark of Creativity for business professionals. Since then he has been travelling the world preaching the power of creativity. So far Degsells Spark has inspired companies, organisations and universities from Stockholm to Beijing, and New Delhi to Silicon Valley.

MBRF is organising the Nobel Museums travelling exhibition in Dubai under the theme, The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing the World. This is the first time the exhibition is being hosted in a new concept and theme in an Arabic city.