Applied Creativity and Innovation: Report on Music Industry Problems

This report identifies problems in the music industry and explores creative problem-solving techniques to address them. It begins by specifying the challenges, such as the over-reliance on technology and the need for originality. Methods like mind mapping, brainstorming, idea boxes, six thinking hats, and SCAMPER techniques are used to define and analyze these problems. The project focuses on providing creative ideas to enhance music quality and customer satisfaction. Exploration and idea generation methods are described, including their strengths and limitations, with findings suggesting that collaborative creativity and structured approaches can lead to innovative music solutions. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of adapting creative tools to the specific needs of the music industry to ensure its continued development and appeal.

Running head: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Creativity and Innovation
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
1. Specifying the problem to be discussed.................................................................................2
2. Describing the starting challenge in the chosen problem.......................................................2
3. Identifying methods used to better establish and define this problem...................................3
4. Showing the project focus......................................................................................................4
5. Describing exploration and idea generation methods and techniques...................................5
6. Showing findings during exploration and the ideas generated..............................................6
7. Including some reflection on the strengths and limitations of methods/techniques used in
the project...................................................................................................................................8
Reference....................................................................................................................................9

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1. Specifying the problem to be discussed
The issue that needs to be analysed is the problems related to the music world. As
stated by Jones and Baraka (2017) creativity and innovation can be provided in music as it
helps to bring about peace within an individual. However, in the modern world there have
been instances, which have shown that music, have not been able to inspire people as it used
to. This may be because of the lack of talented musicians in the entertainment industry or due
to the growth of dependence on technology (Green, 2017). Unlike the yesteryears, music in
the modern generation is heavily dependent upon technology.
I believe that the musicians tend to create music by using filters that mask the original
voice of the singers and prevent any type of flaws from being detected. Different creativity
techniques can be analysed to understand the creativity that can be implemented in the music
world. Another problem that can be the reason for hampering of the creativity is the fact that
the tools used for creativity may not be reliable (Henry & Mayle, 2016). I can analyse the
problem by using a variety of tools such as mind mapping, brainstorming, idea box, six
thinking hats and scamper techniques. The results of the analysis of the techniques are
provided in the assignment.
2. Describing the starting challenge in the chosen problem
The starting challenge in choosing the problem was that exploring the entertainment
industry requires huge analysis. I have experienced that the entertainment industry consists of
more elements than just music and based on this analysis the creativity and innovation can be
implemented. The challenge is to identify the type of music that is to be analysed so that the
effective solution can be provided by the use of proper problem solving tools. I agree with
Amabile and Pratt (2016) one of the main challenges of music is the fact that it needs to be

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original and need to address the people. Thereby, the challenge faced while undertaking this
assignment is the fact that originality of the music used in the modern world needed to be
analysed.
This required a vast analysis of the music around the world and come up with ways to
provide idea of creativity and innovation. At the same time Sarooghi, Libaers and Burkemper
(2015) stated that gaining knowledge about music in the world require analysis of different
culture of the world. This is because the innovative ideas that need to be provided must align
with the culture of the world. Hence, I faced these challenges while selecting the research on
music. At the same time, I have established application of proper methods is also established
that help in defining the problems.
3. Identifying methods used to better establish and define this problem
The methods that can be identified to define the problem can be used to provide
appropriate solution. Some of the methods that I implemented include mind mapping,
brainstorming, idea box, six thinking hats and scamper techniques. According to Perry-Smith
and Mannucci (2017), these techniques are useful to understand the level of creativity that
need to be applied and the innovative techniques that need to be adopted. For example,
application of the brain storming session can help in identifying the best music and imply it
for strengthening the position of the business. At the same time, the application of mind
mapping can help in visualising the information provided and gain more ideas by linking the
relationship with one another.
Dawson and Andriopoulos (2014) stated that idea box could help in gaining additional
comments from the intended audience. In my opinion this can be achieved by providing a
demonstration of the creative music and gaining feedback from the audience. The six
thinking hats technique is a group discussion technique that can be used to systematically

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manage the creative process. Whereas the scamper technique helps in thinking in a unique
manner and is considered as an unplanned method used for developing questions, so that
challenge can be provided to the competitors. Hence, the application of these techniques can
help me in finding a proper solution to the problem that exists in the entertainment industry.
4. Showing the project focus
The focus of the project is on the problem that is faced by the people working in the
entertainment industry so that it can maintain the satisfaction of the customers. My aim is to
provide creative ideas to the music so that it can be implemented in the business and ensure
that customers do not complain about the quality of the music. I have analysed the problem to
show that some of the issues that are faced by the music industry mainly originate from the
lack of creativity (Helfat & Martin, 2015). The application of the creative and innovative
tools may provide the solution required for conducting the problem. For example, it can be
said that the application of the benchmarking method can help in gaining inspiration from the
best in the business.
This can provide musicians with an idea of changing the manner in which the music is
made in the industry. At the same time, idea box can be useful as it provides opinions from
different group members. The satisfaction of the customers can be maintained by gathering
feedback of the type of music that is preferred by them. For example, rock music can be
created with the help of providing some rap lyrics so that it can appeal to the customers
preferring hip-hop music (Serrat, 2017). Therefore, I can say that the idea generation
techniques are useful to ascertain that the music in the entertainment industry continue to
develop.

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5. Describing exploration and idea generation methods and techniques
Mind mapping: The mind mapping technique can be created around a single concept
to which associated representation of ideas can be implemented. According to Grimm and
Brandert (2016), mind map can help in visualising the data and process it in a manner that
can be useful to establish relationships with the main topic and sub-topic. The technique can
be used to generate ideas based on images. I have seen that the music developed can be
written down in the form tunes and various branches for its implications can be discovered.
This can give the musicians a clear idea about the type of song or music to compose and its
application.
Brainstorming: This is the most popular technique that is used to gain inspiration
from the best in the respective business. The brainstorming technique can inspire an existing
business to be creative for the development of proper ideas. I agree with the opinion of
Paulus and Kenworthy (2017) that with the help of the brainstorming technique it is essential
that the musicians identify the best quality music. For example, inspiration from trending
rock music in the early 80s can be used to compose modern music for movies or soap operas.
Idea box: In my opinion, this is the most traditional as well as effective manner of
creativity. The idea box combines the ideas of various group members and ensures that
creativity can be maintained. The group members can provide various ideas about the manner
in which creative designs can be implemented for securing satisfaction of the customers. I
believe that the traditional implementation of generating ideas can help in identifying the best
quality of music that exists. Hence, the application of the idea box can bring out suggestions
from different people that may help in improving the quality of the music.
Six thinking hats: The six thinking hats technique provides a systematic approach in
generating creative ideas. It is a type of parallel thinking that provide group members with an

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opportunity to come with various types of solutions (Henry & Mayle, 2016). I believe that
thinking together in an effective manner can help in the effective development of solution.
The six thinking hats can help in the systematic generation of ideas. For example, while
drawing inspiration from rock music and applying it to a softer tone can be done using this
technique as the steps required for the conversation can be generated from the application of
the systematic six thinking hats method (Sloane, 2017).
Scamper techniques: I have seen that scamper technique is a structured way of
approaching creativity and innovation. It develops questions that can help in impromptu
designing of business and creative ideas. The results of this particular technique can be
similar with the thinking hats technique as it also conducts a systematic approach. However,
the uniqueness of the technique is that it provides a structured approach towards innovation.
6. Showing findings during exploration and the ideas generated
The findings identified after the exploration can encourage the music makers to
continue with the business. This is mainly because one single person does not compose
music. As stated by Edwards-Schachter et al. (2015), although most of the times it is seen
that certain compositions are created by one person, the launching of the music require
support from other musicians as well. Therefore, I believe that any glitch in the music can be
identified and sorted so that creativity can be provided to the audience. In this regard, it can
be said that the application of the creativity tools can help in the effective conduct of music, it
is necessary to identify the proper technique that can help in the composition. For example, a
single artist can take the help of the benchmarking method to gain inspiration. The
benchmarking tool can be in the form of identifying performances made by other artists of
same or different country. At the same time, Hon and Lui (2016) stated that musicians
performing in groups could adopt either the six-hat technique of the idea box to help them

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continue their innovative manner of playing music in the entertainment industry. I can
analyse the results of the analysis separately.
Mind mapping: The results of the mind map can be that creative music can be
implemented while working together in the entertainment industry. This can help in ensuring
that visual aid is provided and the creators can understand the music that is being and the
level of creativity in it.
Brainstorming: The results of the application of this technique can help in the
development of quality music. This is mainly because brainstorming develops a sense of
competition than the existing trend (Ahlin, Drnovšek & Hisrich, 2014). Therefore, I can
recommend it technique as an effective way to bring provides entertainment to the people.
Idea box: The idea box can be used for generating from various groups of people.
Hence, the effective application can generate positive result but at the same time may provide
a glitch in the team spirit as application of every idea is not possible in every song. At the
same time, I can provide a statement that un-used ideas for music can be applied to other
music. Hence, this can also be recommended as a method of creating effective music.
Six thinking hats: The systematic approach of the technique can help in generating
quality music but at the same may be slow at its development. Therefore, application of this
type of innovation cannot be recommended for idea generation.
Scamper techniques: Similar to the six thinking hats technique, this application can
also be slow in the development of the music. However, the structured manner in which the
music can be developed can help in the effective creation of music (Kendal et al., 2016).

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7. Including some reflection on the strengths and limitations of methods/techniques used
in the project
The strengths and limitations of each of the technique can be analysed to understand
its effectiveness in the music world.
Technique Advantage Disadvantage
Mind mapping Helps in visual analysis of
the creativity
May be complicated
Brainstorming Can promote a sense of
competition and provide
inspiration
May be subjected to
similarity of verse and sound
Idea box Generation of different types
of ideas, can be used to
compose many other music
Complication and excessive
ideas to choose from
Six thinking hats Provides systematic approach
towards the composition of
new music
Can be a long process
Scamper technique Structured approach can help
in the effective creation of
music
Lengthy process of analysing
of the music
Table: Comparison
(Source: Created by author)

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