Three Ways Whiteboards Can Help Foster Creativity

Writers block is an issue that all creative minds have suffered on more than one occasion. Creative visions are not always guaranteed to be a bona fide success; I often times find myself drafting multiple blog topics before delving headfirst into a post. There are a myriad of ways to help hone our creativity, including using a whiteboard to brainstorm ideas! Here are three ways in which using a whiteboard can help enhance your creativity:

1. Writing by hand aids in creative development.
   
   Quentin Tarantino, Neil Gaiman and J.K. Rowling are considered to be some of the most masterful story tellers of our time, and interestingly enough they all seemingly have one thing in common: they prefer to draft their creative efforts by hand. Some may be quick to attribute this similarity to superstition, but psychologist Stanislas Dehaene believes there is a psychological reasoning behind their methods. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Dehaene discussed this methodology in greater detail:
   
   “When we write, a unique neural circuit is automatically activated. There is a core recognition of the gesture in the written word, a sort of recognition by mental simulation in your brain, and it seems that this circuit is contributing in unique ways we didn’t realize; learning is made easier.”
   
   As we can see, writing triggers unique brainwave functions that ultimately alter the way we perceive information. Dehaene indicates that writing by hand helps us maintain our focus on what is important due the way the brain interprets hand gestures when writing.
   
   Now think about when you brainstorm with a group; aren’t you always recording ideas and information? Jotting these thoughts down on a dry erase surface allows for ideas to be worked upon fresh off your mind, all while facilitating group discussion. As a group, you are able to interpret what is being recorded on the board, while simultaneously attempting to work through the problem/solution in your head.


2. Writing with blue dry erase marker helps boost creativity
   
   Yup, you read that correctly; using blue dry erase marker actually improves brain productivity! In a study conducted by the University of British Columbia, it was confirmed that the colors red and blue improve brain function. The study found that red helps enhance attention to detail, while blue is best suited to help increase creative thought (you can read more details regarding the study here.)
   
   The color blue is something that we most commonly associate with calming notions, like an ocean or blue sky. So in that sense, it may not sound that far-fetched to believe the color has some sort of psychological prowess over one’s creative output. If we look back on how we were taught to study during our youth, you may remember being taught to color code study guides and note sheets in effort to retain information. That’s kind of the same idea here; except rather than using individual colors to reinforce specific ides, we simply rely on the psychological presence of the color blue to foster creative activity.


3. Whiteboards encourage doodling… trust us, that’s a good thing
   
   I know what you’re thinking, but just hear me out for a second! Sure, doodling seems like something that is super counter-productive— but in actuality it’s not that bad. In fact, doodling is actually a good thing. Doodling helps the brain produce thought provoking patterns, allowing for more depth when it comes to our own creative thoughts.
   
   This concept is reinforced through another study conducted by the University of British Columbia. Within the study theorists suggested, “mind wandering evokes a unique mental state that may allow otherwise opposing [brain] networks to work in cooperation.” So imagine your thought process as two pages of an essay, with each piece representing a unique idea that stands out on its own. Now imagine the process of doodling as a paperclip, which serves the function of bringing the pieces of paper together to create a more dynamic product. The paperclip provides clarity and cohesion to the essay, thereby functioning as an enabler of sorts. Our thoughts work in a much similar manner; the more time our minds spend wandering, the more proactive our thought process becomes. We are able to think about multiple things at once, creating opportunities for connection between our thoughts, thus enhancing creativity.

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Do you have any other useful tips for helping with creativity? Feel free to let us know what you find helpful in the comments below. For all your dry erase needs, visit Magnatag.com