Definition of Innovation

What is Innovation?

Innovation is creativity by another name. A lot is made of the difference between these two terms. For some, creativity is more “free” and innovation is more “practical"—it has to solve a problem. For others, “creativity” could involve any process, but “innovation” is exclusively human. But these forced dualities are not something we find helpful. 

What is nice is that each of these terms stresses a different and equally critical aspect of the process: creativity puts a stress on the making – the creating. And innovation places the stress on novelty – that something new is emerging. But it is important to remember: there are not two processes – all creativity involves innovation and all innovation involves creativity.

For Further Reading on Innovation

• What is Innovation?
• What is Innovation? A Process...
• 9 Types of Innovation Models - They're All the Same
• Innovation: Sense Making and Aesthetics
• Innovation — It's About Problems
• Why is Design Thinking so Bad at Radical Innovation?

See also: Creativity Paradox, Creativity, Difference