Bringing Science to the Art Practice

Breaking challenges down into basic elements helps to find insightful and creative solutions.

Learning art, how to paint and draw, is more complex than we think at first glance.

We see it as a Youtube video. Separate episodes of half an hour (or ten minutes) during which we can relax a bit, following some "petits astuces".

When we finish, we like/dislike it and consider ourselves "artists." Our parents and primary teachers help us with this concept construction: "We are all artists!"

Suppose we bake a pie at home. Even though it's a delicious pie, we don't consider ourselves a top chef. At best, good cooks. We know and accept the difference.

I can go to the science section also. We can follow the instructions of some kids' scientific toys, have some tools and liquids, still does not make us scientists. It is just that, a playful moment.

I can add another curious situation, that looks a bit outside the theme, but follows the same assumption(s).

When we go to a cafeteria, we don't ask for a free coffee, even if the cost is only €1. I mean, we can try our luck, but usually, we don't do it without feeling a little embarrassment and a certainty that the answer will be: NO!

However, artists often hear: "Your drawing/painting is so beautiful! Can you give it to me?" or "Can you make this graphic design work?" Not even €1 is suggested. Free of charge. In these situations, the people who propose this to us do not show any hesitation or embarrassment.

Well, in thhese situations, it's the artist's responsibility to say NO. No, and the price is €€€.

These stories illustrate that an artwork isn't actually done in a ten-minute session. It's not a little youtube episode. It was created by adding years of practice to a demanding and complex learning process. This method is one of the most challenging things to teach.

Solving "problems" using a scientific method while keeping a high creativity level linked to a systematic daily practice is not for everyone.

Here, we can be a little arrogant (and proud) calling the best of the best: Aristotle, Euclid, Thomas Edison, Feynman, Nikola Tesla, Pablo Picasso, Elon Musk... They all used a methodology to solve complex problems strongly connected to the way they think, using a clear problem-solving strategy.

First-principles thinking method

It's a good framework for thinking, and it's called reasoning from first principles. It's a scientific method - coming from physics, to be precise.

You get to fundamental truths and reason from there, rather than reasoning by analogy.

An analogy is essentially copying what other people do with slight variations. The analogy builds knowledge and solves problems based on previous assumptions and beliefs. The problem is whether prior knowledge is wrong or no longer the best option.

First-principles thinking is the practice of actively questioning every assumption you think you know about a particular problem or scenario and then creating new knowledge and solutions from scratch.

Essentially, first principles thinking will help you develop a unique worldview to innovate and solve complex problems in ways no one else can imagine.

We can divide the method in three parts.

Step 1: Identify and define your primary elements.

"If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the issue and 5 minutes thinking about solutions." -- Albert Einstein

When you're facing a problem or challenge, thumbnail` it into primary elements. Draw or write down your assumptions about it.

Take your time. Do not feel bad if you need more time than you thought at first. Use the traditional tools (pencil and paper) instead of digital ones. The brainstorm will be more effective.

Step 2: Break it down into its fundamental principles.

"It is important to view knowledge as a sort of semantic tree. Make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e., the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details, or there is nothing for them to hang on to." -- Elon Musk

These fundamental principles are the most basic truths or elements of anything, and the best way to uncover them is to disassemble them in tiny pieces. Ask the fundamental questions: a clearer and more straightforward view of the problem will help find innovative solutions from scratch.

Step 3: Create solutions from scratch.

"The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thinks." -- Mortimer Adler

Once you've identified and broken down your problems or assumptions into their most fundamental truths, you can begin to create new insightful solutions from scratch, combining the elements.

Another way to start is by choosing small problems/art projects and then adding complexity to them.

Don't expect the "AHA moment" to arrive in the blink of an eye. At some point, this can happen, but in the beginning, like everything else in life, this method of thinking takes time and practice.

Breaking down complex information into basic principles is a powerful way to see things clearly, with a fresh eye, and therefore out of the box, finding new solutions to old problems.

-- This post is based on Business Insider post, combined with my art teaching practice.