Bricolage, which derives from the French version of “do it yourself” (DIY), is a term used to describe an assemblage of objects

Understanding the Creative Mind

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, review Chapters 5 and 6 in the text, and read the article located in the Ashford University Library Creating Something From Nothing: Resource Construction Through Entrepreneurial Bricolage. Bricolage, which derives from the French version of “do it yourself” (DIY), is a term used to describe an assemblage of objects, along with the trial and error process of putting such objects together. A person who practices bricolage is known as a bricoleur. Bricolage represents a somewhat unique approach to innovative entrepreneurship in that it is typically accomplished in high resource-constrained environments.

Bricoleurs are adept at creating innovative outcomes from combining resources that are mostly at hand or exist within reach in the natural environment. The short optional video MacGyver—Outside Contact (Links to an external site.) illustrates how a famous bricoleur used bricolage to solve a pressing problem. The purpose of this interactivity is to provide you the opportunity to practice your skills as a bricoleur in creating your own bricolage idea for an innovative product or service or for solving a problem from the resources available to you in your environment.

In this exercise, you are going to use the resources available to you to create a bricolage with as much value as possible. Value can be measured or expressed in any way you like. You will document your bricolage in a Canva (Links to an external site.) presentation for posting to the discussion forum.

Complete each of the following steps:

• Identify an area in your home that contains several items that you could possibly use for your bricolage idea, such as your garage, storage shed, desk drawers, closets, or trash containers.
• Select the items from this area that you think could be used to create your bricolage, and lay them on a surface of some sort where you can easily see them.

• For example, you might find some of the following items in one of your trash containers useful in creating a set of insulated containers for keeping drinks cold, a new cat litter box for your favorite feline, or for designing a life-like framed picture of a superhero for your child’s room:
  • Bottles
  • Boxes
  • Rubber bands
  • Foam inserts
  • Paper towels
  • Cans
  • Tin foil
  • Torn socks
  • Milk cartons
  • Drinking straws

• You may use items from multiple areas in your home, but be sure to include them in your initial collection.

• You can borrow items from your neighbors, but you may not be able to return them.
• Take a photograph of these items before and after you have completed your design. Save these two images for uploading to your Canva (Links to an external site.) presentation once you have completed your bricolage.

• Your challenge now is to use your imagination, creativity, and innovative skills to make something out of one or more of these items that you believe would be valuable in one way or another—without using any other resources than what you currently have available to you.
• Once you have completed your bricolage idea, take a photo of the finished product, and save for uploading to Canva (Links to an external site.).
• Upload the before and after images to Canva (Links to an external site.) to create a presentation that describes and illustrates your bricolage and the value it represents.
• Post your Canva (Links to an external site.) presentation to the Interactivity 1: I’m a Bricoleur discussion by Day 3 of this week.
• In your post, provide a summary of the process you used to create your bricolage and what you learned from that process.
• Describe how your bricolage idea might be shared with others or serve as the genesis for a business venture.

FAQs

Do I need to use Canva for my presentation?

• No, you may use any app that has the capability to display and describe your bricolage.
• You must be able to provide a link to your document in the discussion forum.

Answer Preview……………

We start Chapter 5 with a short story, a story gleaned from Buddhist teachings.¹ Two monks were returning to their monastery. One of themonks was older and much more practiced in Zen philosophy, the other his younger pupil. Due to the heavy rain that had fallen earlier thatday, the streets were filled with deep puddles. As they walked along, they came upon a young woman standing on the side of the street.From the forlorn expression on her face, it was obvious that she was greatly concerned about crossing the street for fear of soaking hernew dress. Upon witnessing this dilemma, the older monk approached the young woman and, with her permission, carried her across thestreet, placing her safely on the other side…………….

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