All of the above and more. I’d like to add one more idea: co-creators should also be offered scaffolds to support their creative exploration.

In my research I have observed four levels of creativity that can be seen in people’s lives. I call them: doing, adapting, making and creating. These four levels vary in terms of the amount of expertise and interest needed. Starting at the lowest level of creativity (with minimal expertise and interest) and moving toward higher levels (with increasing expertise and interest/passion) these levels include:

Doing, the lowest level, is motivated by productivity. It is about getting something done. For example, some people say they feel creative when cleaning and organizing closets.

Adapting is motivated by the need people have to make things their own. Adapting happens when people change something to make it meet their needs or to better fit their personality.

Making is motivated by people’s needs to make things with their own hands. Making involves the use of a pattern, recipe or kit. Making can be supported and encouraged by providing scaffolds upon which people can express their creativity.

Creating, the highest level, is motivated by people’s needs to express themselves in creative ways. Creating is like making but without a pattern, recipe or kit.

People live simultaneously at all levels of creativity. For example, they may be creating when it comes to cooking but adapting when it comes to the use of technology products.

So, in answer to the question, I think that you should:
~ lead people who are on the doing level of creativity,
~ guide those who are at the adapting level,
~ provide scaffolds that support and serve peoples’ need for creative expression at the making level, and
~ offer a clean slate for those capable of making things from scratch.

(Copenhagen Co’creation asked Liz Sanders to comment on three co-creation challenges. Read the interview with Liz Sanders ‘The right tools for the job’)

About Liz Sanders