Curiosity has the power to change the world. 

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” - Albert Einstein 

In my initial blog post on What is Design? I talk about design being the convergence of curiosity, creativity, and strategy. For this post, I want to focus on curiosity. But first, a few helpful reminders.

Definitions to help distinguish:

• Curiosity: eagerness or interest in knowing, learning. 

• Creativity:  ability to imagine and foster new ideas into existence

• Strategy: taking an idea and creating a plan of action 

A bit oversimplified, but helpful:

• Curiosity asks: why? 

• Creativity asks: what if? 

• Strategy asks: How? 

I am a naturally curious person. I love to read and learn and research and explore. I have no great measure of intelligence (to my chagrin) but have gotten where I am because I am highly curious and passionate. This makes me ask questions, dive obsessively into new fields of interest, and observe what is going on around me. Curiosity is inherent in all of us. It can be powerful and passionate, idling or obsessive. Though we are all born curious it can be stifled, ignored, or cultivated. And like creativity and strategy, we all have the potential to strengthen the element of curiosity.

Curiosity contributes significantly to our personal and professional lives. We create relationships, art, new ventures, writings, hobbies, and more from (often) a kernel of curiosity. You won’t always remain curious about the same things. Maybe one late-night rabbit trail of research satisfies the curiosity you had for a topic or question. Other times it can transform your worldview, your sense of self, how you engage with others, and what you choose to pursue and act upon.

Curiosity should be taken frivolously and seriously at the same time. But never sidelined. 

Curiosity is imbued with wonder and awe and is precious no matter how inane or intelligent the topic or question may be. Curiosity for people and place, flora and fauna, and everything else in between and beyond.

Hilde Ostby, in her book The Key to Creativity, says that “one of the most fundamental elements of creativity is curiosity. Without curiosity, our world would never have grown; if we don’t learn anything new, we won’t get new ideas…it starts with curiosity and continues with knowledge - and knowledge leads to great ideas that change the world.” 

Curiosity is something we have to be open to - it means learning, setting aside time to dream and imagine, being open to areas of interest, and questioning what you know and believe. Receptive to wonder and explore. Pursue your curiosity, don’t dismiss it as silly or a waste of time. Sink into it and see what you learn. Maybe it doesn’t go further than initial research and that is okay, just practice curiosity. It can take you to amazing places. 

Curiosity is key for design. It is the foundation all design is built upon.

Cultivating curiosity: 

• Learn about whatever you find interesting, take a deep dive, don’t limit yourself by what you think you should be interested in.

• Ask questions and follow the journey as far as it takes you, don’t stop until you are satisfied.

• Practice deep listening so you can learn from others. Curiosity and empathy are linked.

• Create space by setting aside time for creativity, learning, or daydreaming. Prioritize in your schedule.

What keeps you awake at night doing research? What do you pay attention to? What holds your interest? Maybe it is a bunch of random things, but can you identify a theme? Begin taking notice, create a list on your phone or in a notebook about what you are curious about, and what you spend time thinking about or researching. What fascinates you and gives you energy?