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Radical creativity online course reached 10,000 registrants

By practicing creativity, you develop the skills and mindset needed to overcome obstacles and solve various challenges. When we progress with difficult and personally meaningful tasks, we experience a sense of achievement and learn new things.
Creativity researcher Oana Velcu-Laitinen in a patterned, light-coloured dress is standing with their hands in their pockets against a blue background. Photo: Teemu Ullgren
Creativity researcher Oana Velcu-Laitinen says creative people are often motivated by a sense of achievement. The course encourages you to envision yourself as a person who is contributing to doing good. Photo: Teemu Ullgren


When we think of creativity, we too often associate it with Albert Einstein or Galileo Galilei.

鈥楾he myth of creative genius is harmful; it sets the bar too high. There are many different creative types,鈥 says creativity researcher Oana Velcu-Laitinen, one of the main authors of the Diving into Radical Creativity course.

Aalto University's free online course describes different creative types and a variety of thinking tools. The course has been popular, and now reached 10,000 registrations.

Velcu-Laitinen has been studying creativity for eight years, and she admits that writing a course about radical creativity was both a dream come true and truly scary.

鈥楢ctually, that is the essence of the course as well: challenge yourself to do something big and scary, to pursue something that is completely different from what you or anybody else has ever done before.鈥

Creativity does not come from nothing. We are shaped by the examples we see and what is considered possible and desirable. Radical creativity refers to system-level changes that challenge the existing paradigm 鈥 the prevailing approach to how things are usually done.

鈥榃hat is considered radical evolves over time. Think how exciting it was the first time you used a smartphone, which is now an everyday experience that has changed our practices and habits.鈥

Radical creativity leads to breakthroughs in society, science, and the economy.

鈥榊ou can't control the societal impact, but you can control small steps: what you do each day and choose your collaborators and supporters.鈥

The course encourages participants to take at least one action they haven鈥檛 done before. It might result in a powerful impact, but the most important goal is to gently push participants out of their comfort zones.

鈥榃e encourage participants to do something they do not normally do, surprise their peers, and undertake a challenge that feels even a bit intimidating. It teaches them how to manage the creative process and how to dare to do something that might not work out. Taking the course is an experiment.鈥

Elokuvan kuvauksia Espoon Otaniemess盲. Kohtauksessa haastateltavana professori Pauliina Ilmonen. Kuva: Hayley L锚
In the "Radical Creatives" documentary, Professor Pauliina Ilmonen explains that mathematics also requires creativity. Photo: Hayley Le

What drives creative people? 

According to creativity studies, there is one trait that creative people share: open-mindedness. They are flexible and open to new experiences and willing to step out of their own bubble and comfort zones.

Velcu-Laitinen says that creativity requires strong inner motivation, but it can be cultivated.

Inner motivation starts with having a dream of impacting society. The course empowers participants to forget self-doubt. Instead of thinking 'Who am I to dare big dreams?', it encourages you to envision yourself as a person who is contributing to doing good.

Creative people are often motivated by a sense of achievement. 鈥榃hen someone finds their passion and inner motivation, they believe in their vision of what needs to be done, and they start doing it.'

'We all are capable of passion, but some of us haven鈥檛 found it yet. When you find an area that you鈥檙e passionate about, it gives you the grit and perseverance 鈥 sisu 鈥 to pursue challenging tasks. Acting on your creativity can also improve your wellbeing.鈥

Nobody wants to fail, but it is an essential part of experimentation and learning. It is easier to fail in a supportive environment, in an organisation with a creative and experimental culture.

'Surround yourself with supportive people: those who help you through changing emotional states, those who can be sounding boards for your ideas and help you improve them, and those who share their resources.'

Often, organisations have separate innovation teams, but they could be more creative if everyone were encouraged to explore new ideas. 


 

What will you learn in the Diving into Radical Creativity course?

The course inspires participants to dream big, explore their inner motivation, and make a meaningful impact on society. Individuals will reflect on their creative types, learn new tools for generating original and worthwhile ideas, tackle challenges, and acquire strategies to foster creativity.

Participants will be encouraged to challenge themselves and take on projects that may seem daunting or unfamiliar. By doing so, they can tap into their inner drive for creativity and experience personal growth.

Velcu-Laitinen explains: 鈥榃hen we engage in creative activities, we tap into our ability to think outside the box, find alternative solutions, and adapt to new circumstances. By cultivating creativity, we develop the skills and mindset needed to overcome obstacles and bounce back from adversity. Additionally, engaging in activities we find challenging but personally rewarding, we can experience a sense of fulfillment and self-expression. All of these contribute to stronger resilience.鈥

Through reflections, participants will gain insights into how they perceive themselves as creative individuals.

The course might be particularly beneficial for: 

  • Students who are not satisfied with their current learning path and are seeking new perspectives
  • Leaders who want to cultivate an innovative culture
  • Researchers and developers who want to refresh their research ideas and expand their creative thinking

     
Underwater scene with a diver and the text 'Diving into radical creativity'.
Diving into Radical Creativity has received an enthusiastic response. The current average course feedback rating is 4.4 out of 5.

What have the course participants said?

"The best online course I've attended.鈥

"I can recommend it to professionals of all fields, regardless of the industry."

鈥滻鈥檓 super grateful for this course. I love it!鈥

鈥滻 am very surprised that such a comprehensive and high-quality course is available for free.鈥

鈥淭he course increased self-awareness, reduced cynicism, and brought more hope. I hope you can widely disseminate the content. I wish these topics were more visible in public discourse.鈥

鈥漈his course is an excellent chance to breathe fresh air amidst all the "pollution" one is taking in on a daily basis.鈥

"As a taxpayer and a citizen, I am delighted that such courses are offered."

鈥淚 very much enjoyed the journey of this course. Even as a long time creative I found it invigorating and enlightening in many ways.鈥

"This has been an enlightening experience and the first course in my life that I wish wouldn't end."

鈥淪uch an exquisite curriculum that not only captures the essence of creativity but also inspires learners to think beyond the conventional boundaries.鈥

More about creativity

A person underwater with the text 'Diving into radical creativity' overlaying the image.

Learn about creativity from individual and organisational perspectives, and how to create and lead transformative change.

A man Diving into radical creativity online course. photo Lina Jelanski

Boost your skills: learn the basics of radical creativity

Creative thinking and related ability to change are core competencies of the future in all fields. Aalto University launched a free online introductory course on radical creativity in Finnish and English on November 14, 2024.

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Aalto University / Riitta Silvennoinen / Photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi

Why should everyone study creativity right now?

Chief Human Resources Officer Riitta Silvennoinen is encouraging employees to be radical by taking time for learning. All staff at Aalto have the opportunity to take a basic course in radical creativity during their working hours.

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