5 TED Talks to Spark Your Creativity

Where do creative ideas come from? Is stealing others’ ideas wrong in the creative process? And once we have our creative ideas, how do we get them to spread?

With these 5 TED Talks, you’ll get answers to those questions and more. So if you’re finding yourself on the outside of a great idea, listen to what these great thinkers have discovered about creativity. They may just give you the spark you need.

Embrace the Remix

Avoiding others’ works so not to be influenced by what you create? Here’s some heartbreaking news: everything you will make has an influence. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, as Kirby Guthrie puts it in this TED Talk, “It’s liberation from our misconceptions.”

The Clues to a Great Story

Pixar writer and director Andrew Stanton takes on a pillar of human civilization: the story. Using examples from his own work and personal accounts, Stanton will leave you inspired to push your ideas beyond the first degree. 

Perspective is Everything

For the psychology lovers out there, adman Rory Sutherland dives into solving problems creatively through perception. From speeding up transit, to taking medication, Sutherland argues that the answer lies not in distinguishing the differences between perceived and actual value, but rather understanding that they are one in the same.

The Mystery Box

Famed film and television creator, producer, and director JJ Abrams speaks about mystery as the catalyst for imagination. By delving into his own experiences and love for mysteries in stories, he suggests the answer isn’t always what matters. It’s the mystery that leaves us wanting more.

How to Get Your Ideas to Spread

Sliced bread wasn’t always the go-to for a “best thing since” comparison; convincing people it was a good thing took some truly creative thinking. Marketing thought leader Seth Godin discusses how today’s market makes it even more difficult for ideas to spread, and the importance of making your ideas remarkable.