What is the Difference Between Innovation and Creativity

The main difference between innovation and creativity is that innovation is the introduction of new or improved products, services, processes, etc. to the market while creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something

Innovation and creativity are concepts that are inherently tied together. However, in the context of business, these are considered to be two distinct concepts. Moreover, creativity is the first step in innovating a new product, process or technology.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Creativity
    – Definition, Characteristics 
2. What is Innovation
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Between Innovation and Creativity
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Innovation and Creativity
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Creativity, Innovation, Business

What is Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. If you are creative, you can do many things with your mind and hands. You may paint beautiful art, write poems, create interesting designs with origami. Creativity is very important for all kinds of artists like painters, musicians, actors and writers. A creation can be either tangible or intangible. For example, musical compositions, ideas, and jokes are intangible creations, while paintings, poems, or inventions are tangible results of creativity.

Imagination is the main factor in creativity – you cannot be creative without having a good imagination. Moreover, creativity is the ability to perceive the world and things in it in a new way. It also involves exploring the undiscovered and generating solutions out of it. In other words, creativity is a combination of thinking in a new way and then enacting or producing it. Furthermore, creativity is the basis of most modern technological developments. It is at the root of artistic and literary work as well as various technological innovations.

What is Innovation

Innovation refers to the implementation of something new. In the context of business, innovation is a new or improved good, service, process. It can be a new technology, new product line, new method of production, new business model or even an improvement of an existing product.

Innovation is impossible without creativity. Therefore, these two concepts are inherently related. Moreover, innovation is not the same as invention. An invention involves creating something unique – something that has never been made before. However, innovation can be merely improving an existing product or technology. In the field of business, innovation is a catalyst for growth and development. It is impossible for any business to go forward without innovation. Moreover, unlike creativity, innovation is measurable using different metrics. 

Relationship Between Innovation and Creativity

• Innovation is impossible without creativity; therefore, these two concepts are closely related.
• Moreover, both require a good imagination.

Difference Between Innovation and Creativity

Definition

Innovation is the introduction of new or improved goods, services, processes, etc. while creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.

Related Concepts

While innovation is related to implementation, creativity is related to imagination.

Measurability

Moreover, innovation can be measured, whereas creativity cannot be measured.

Order

Creativity precedes innovation. For example, developing the basic concept of a new product involves creativity, but actually manufacturing it involves innovation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, innovation and creativity are concepts that are inherently tied together. The main difference between innovation and creativity is that innovation is the introduction of new goods, services, processes, etc. to the market while creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.

Reference:

1. “Creativity.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 June 2020, Available here.
2. “How Are Creativity and Innovation Related?” YOH Blog, 19 Dec. 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Modern Art Painter” (Public Domain) Libreshot
2. “4556696” (CC0) via Pixabay