Fawzi Mesmar on Crafting Original Ideas and Enhancing Creativity

The concept of generating original ideas is a complex one, and Fawzi Mesmar, Ubisoft's creative director of Beyond Good & Evil 2, has given considerable thought to the process. In his talk, Demystifying Creativity, Mesmar explores the notion of Creative Sobriety, which involves understanding what makes an idea unique and valuable. Mesmar uses the example of a Squid Game video game to illustrate the concept of an "inevitable" idea, which is an idea that many people could have come up with. He notes that originality is not the same as creativity and that context plays a significant role in determining the value of an idea. To stimulate creativity, Mesmar believes in imposing restraints, whether technical, financial, or logistical. He cites the example of the original Silent Hill, which used fog and radio to overcome technical limitations, and the game God of War, which presented its story in a single shot with no visible loading screens. Mesmar's approach to measuring creativity involves dissecting the components of an idea and understanding how they relate to one's life journey, cultural background, and perspective. He advocates for a practice of self-awareness, which he calls Creative Sobriety, to help creators become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. By understanding what makes an idea original, creators can improve their odds of generating statistically less likely ideas. Mesmar's goal is to help developers, particularly students, inject themselves into their ideas and create something unique and valuable. The principles of Creative Sobriety are not rigid or scientific, but rather a thought-provoking approach to understanding how creators think. Mesmar's ideas are explained in a clear and concise manner, making them easy to remember and apply. In conclusion, Fawzi Mesmar's approach to creativity and originality offers valuable insights for developers and creators. By embracing the principles of Creative Sobriety, individuals can enhance their creative potential and generate innovative ideas that stand out from the crowd.