If the World Doesn’t Fit, Modify It!
At the ByBa, we’ve developed the concept of the "creative bias" based on a series of observations.
First, let’s face it: when we need an idea, we usually dive straight into trying to generate one. What’s less common is stepping back to reflect on how we go about coming up with that idea or solution in the first place.
This means our creative activity tends to be natural and intuitive rather than deliberate. That’s exactly why we call it a “bias”—it’s a way we all naturally operate, often without even realizing it.
Now, while it’s awesome to just go with the flow of creativity, it’s also incredibly valuable to have a bit of control over it. Becoming aware of how we do what we do allows us to develop, refine, expand, and enrich our creative process.
We all know that creativity isn’t some mystical magic or a gift from a visiting muse—it’s a mental process deeply tied to our identity. This is why each person’s creativity is utterly unique.
Just by thinking about how we think (that’s called “metacognition,” by the way), we already learn a ton and begin to truly take ownership of our processes.
Sure, when ideas are flowing like a waterfall, this might not seem so critical. But when we hit a creative block—when we just can’t seem to come up with a good idea (and, let’s be honest, this happens to all of us, often at the worst times)—that’s when having control over our creative process and a broad set of tools at our disposal becomes our ultimate lifesaver.
So yes, having one or several natural creative biases is great. But it’s even better to truly understand them (which, let’s be real, is also a way of getting to know ourselves better) and adopt those that don’t come so naturally to us.
That’s why we invite you to explore the four creative biases we’ve identified. Let’s start with the first one: the bias of Modification.
The First Creative Bias: Modify
Modification is all about taking something and changing it to create something new.
When we modify, we focus on something that already exists and tweak it to make it different. There’s no limit to the kinds of modifications we can make—and we can come up with new ways to modify at any moment.
To modify something, we might repeat it, extract its essence, strip it down to its skeleton, flip it to its negative, distort it, change its scale, or put it through a multi-stage transformation.
The possibilities are endless! This means that having modification as your natural or learned creative bias doesn’t mean you’ll approach it the same way as someone else with this bias. We can all create unique and personal “recipes” or procedures for modification, making our creative output one-of-a-kind.
For example, here are three modification techniques: skeletization, radicalization, and mutation.
Skeletization
Skeletizing means stripping something down to its core—removing elements from the original until taking away even one more would make it collapse.
This is a simplification technique that transforms something by subtracting components. You can approach this in many ways: from superficial to essential, external to internal, or singular to generic.
Skeletizing an object, problem, situation, or process gives us a pared-down version of the original—something modified and new.
If we were to skeletize an ice cream, for instance, we might end up with the ideas of fleeting coldness, thermal surprise in the mouth, or fragile texture—and then apply those concepts to a soup or even a makeup product!
Radicalization
Radicalizing something means going straight to its roots—to its very origin (from the Latin radix, meaning "root.").
When we radicalize, we investigate and uncover the source of something: the reason it came to be or the question it was meant to answer.
This isn’t about finding the “essence” of a thing but rather its origin. It’s about asking, “Why does this exist?”
For example, radicalizing a tie might lead us to concepts like differentiation, social status, or visible hierarchy. We could use this to design a new kind of tie—or even create an entirely different accessory that shares the same origin.
Mutation
A mutation is a structural change that happens to something, either because of internal reasons or in response to external conditions.
Mutating something means making a change that isn’t superficial or temporary but essential and enduring.
Once something mutates, it follows a new path from that moment on, evolving in a different direction.
How would a handbag look if a mutation gave it a hand? Could it grip the edge of a bar to avoid falling? Could you hold it by the hand as you walked down the street?
Subscribe to The Golden Nose to discover more creative biases and dive into a world of curated creative content made just for the Bybians community!
In What Kind of Creativity Is Yours?, one of the biases you can explore—by yourself or with others—is the bias of modification. There, you’ll also find endless games dedicated to this important bias, helping you develop it to the fullest and make it a key part of your creative toolkit!