Creativity in Constraints

petersonkaitlinm
Mar 26
3 min read

Person writing on a clear white board — Image of person writing on a clear whiteboard with marker.

Why Work with Constraints?

Working within constraints isn't unusual for designers or educators, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still feel daunting. Limited funding, fewer resources, or minimal support can quickly turn a creative project into a frustrating one with numerous barriers. It can be tempting to think that a great design requires more tools, time, and flexibility. However, what if we changed this way of thinking? What if we intentionally designed within constraints?

Leaning into constraints creates opportunity to think differently. Research supports this mindset, with Tromp & Baer (2022, p. 2) sharing, "constraints provide focus and a creative challenge that motivates people to search for and connect information from different sources." Instead of limiting creativity, constraints can actually enhance it.

There is also something very impactful about having fewer options. Too much flexibility can lead to limited thinking or even decision fatigue. Constraints offer deeper exploration and creative problem solving. As shared by Acer et al. (2019, p. 19), “contrary to conventional wisdom, it is certainly possible to innovate better, for example, by intentionally restricting time, funds, or other assets." When we have less resources to work with, we can think more intentionally and creatively.

Setting the Challenge

I put this concept of constraints into practice by creating a unique challenge: design a professional development experience that works because of 3 specific limitations: funding, time, and engagement. Specifically, I aimed to create a 5-minute skill-builder that can be embedded into spaces where academic advisors are already present (such as weekly team meetings or newsletters) and requires little to no funding.

To ensure this addressed advisor needs, I identified common pain points frequently shared by academic advisors and used that to narrow what the learning opportunity would address, which is understanding and using Appreciative Advising principles in everyday practice. This approach reflects what Tromp and Baer (2022, p. 3) described, "constraining the initial number of available options provides a creative advantage by focusing the search for novel, low probability, creative outcomes. Such constraints can then promote in-depth, as opposed to superficial exploration." By limiting tools, time, and event topic, I am pushed to think more intentionally about what is really required for this learning experience.

Finally, this challenge reinforces the idea that "creative genius often emerges not in the absence of boundaries, but in the presence of challenged thinking and problem-solving under pressure" (Sorial, 2024). Instead of viewing constraints as barriers, I used them as guiderails to be more innovative and focused.

5-Minute Skill Builder

Enter the solution - A multi-card microlearning experience using 7Taps. This product allowed me to break content into concise, manageable chunks. The platform supports a range of interactive elements, including videos, scenario-based prompts, quizzes, and reflection questions, making the learning experience both dynamic and engaging.

By working within the constraints I identified, I was able to design a solution that is not only cost-effective, but also practical and easily accessible for busy advisors. The format allows the content to be incorporated into an advisor's schedule or existing team meetings. Overall, this program supports engagement without requiring significant time or resources.

Experience the design by clicking through the 7Taps cards below.

Email Template

In addition to creating the microlearning experience, I transferred the original email draft from Google Docs into a more visually appealing format using Canva. This allowed me to improve the overall presentation of the new learning experience to capture advisor's attention. I also designed and incorporated a reusable header that can be applied to future emails about microlearning courses. This helps create consistency in my communication and making these learning opportunities easier for advisors to identify.

Takeaways

Prior to completing this assignment, I had assumed that increasing learning engagement, specifically academic advisors, in different learning environments required resource-heavy approaches, such as an in-person workshop that requires expensive space reservations and food, or expensive tools like Articulate. However, challenging myself to work within limited resources pushed me to explore alternative, free options and tools. Through this process of using constraints, I discovered the Closed World Principle, which encourages working only with what is already available. I also learned that simplicity leads to more elegant and efficient designs, avoiding making designs overly complex.