Perception Block

This is an old creativity exercise aimed at helping people think outside the box. The goal is to draw a line that connects all 9 dots without lifting your pencil up from the paper.

Go ahead. Try your luck.

How did it go? How many of you made the assumption that you had draw the lines through the center of the dots? Because that wasn't in the instructions...

This is an example of a perceptual block. Making assumptions can be a hindrance to problem solving. For example, a common assumption is that an illustrator can't depart from the text. That's nonsense. What's important is only that the illustration relates to the subject matter, but not necessarily mimic the writer's point of view.

Now, turn the lens on yourself...where are your perception blocks at the moment? Where do you need to challenge assumptions or paint outside the lines? Where do you need to be brave and explore new territory?

-- Adapted from Dear James: Letters to a Young Illustrator, by R.O. Blechman