Artwork: Cathryn Lloyd
I recently met with Jason Leigh Smith from Clarke & Mackay to discuss republishing the Seriously Playful Creativity book in a 2.0 version, to complement Maverick Minds’ broader ecosystem of resources. We weren’t mapping out a finished plan; we were simply exploring what might be possible.
At one point, Jason looked into the distance as he described what he envisaged.
“I can see it”, he said … but it’s diaphanous.”
That description caught my attention and imagination – I loved it! He could see the idea and was trying to articulate it, but there was a thin veil over it, like looking through a silk curtain. The shapes and outlines were there, but the detail hadn’t quite revealed itself.
“Please share your diaphanous picture with me!” I exclaimed happily!
It was one of those in-the-moment creative conversations when an idea emerges into view between people. The essence was making itself present, not entirely vague, but also not fully complete. At this point, I know from my experience that pushing too quickly to define it would have flattened what still needed to evolve. Although we often rush to round out ideas before they are ready, it’s human nature. Instead, we stayed with it. We gave (and are giving) the idea space to develop, rather than trying to force clarity too soon.
So I now have a name for these moments – Diaphanous Conversations. Those exploratory conversations between people where something meaningful is emerging, even if the detail hasn’t fully taken shape. They’re not always neat and efficient; they can be a bit messy, but they are where creative ideas begin to take shape and where co-creation lives.
There’s enormous value in these conversations and intentionally working with them.
Here are 3 Creativity Keys to Unlock and Open up Diaphanous Conversations
- Use an image.
A picture, a visual metaphor, or a reference that feels close to what you mean can help reveal the shape of the idea. - Make a quick prototype or an MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
A rough sketch, a layout, a paper model or a mock-up. It doesn’t need to be polished, just clear enough to react to and refine. You can draw stick figures, shapes, and simple lines, which are more than enough to help things along. Bottle tops are also useful! - Show an artefact.
A page from the current book, a card, a photo or an object that tells the story. Having something tangible gives the emerging idea an anchor and allows it to move from the abstract into something people can point to, hold, explore and build on together.
These short creative leaps don’t resolve the idea instantly, but they make it visible enough for people to talk about, test and take the next step.
Here’s your opportunity – the next time you’re working with someone or your team, and the idea hasn’t quite landed, it may not be confusion, you might be having a delicious Diaphanous Conversation. Those moments are worth paying attention to. There may well be something valuable emerging and ready to come into full view if you give it enough room.
If this kind of exploratory thinking is of interest and something your team could benefit from, particularly around strategy, creativity or change then…
Let’s create the conditions for your next idea to take shape.
PS. We’re already moving ahead with Seriously Playful Creativity 2.0, and I’ll share updates as it evolves.
PPS. In the meantime, you can find out more about Seriously Playful Creativity here