Recommended Book

Creative Problem-Solving for Asians: A Practical Guide to Develop Your Creativity as an Asian

Ng Aik Kwang

Book cover

Synopsis of book

In this new book, Dr Ng looks at how to be a creative Asian. Many questions on creativity are answered. For example, what is the creator like? How does the social environment affect the development of your creativity? What creative techniques can you use to “think out of the box”? How do you motivate yourself as a creative problem-solver? Importantly, Dr Ng argues that creativity is not restricted to certain individuals like Einstein or Picasso. Instead, all of us – including Asians – have the potential to be creative. Dr Ng shows how ordinary Asians can behave creatively, using examples of famous creators like Lee Ang (Brokeback Mountain) and Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple). Creative Problem-Solving for Asians is highly recommended for those readers who want to understand how the Asian society prevents them from behaving creatively, but who wish to be a creative Asian in spite of their society.

About the author

Dr Ng Aik Kwang is an expert on the cultivation of creativity in the Asian classroom and society. He has published many papers and books on this subject, including Why Asians are less creative than Westerners and Liberating the creative spirit in Asian students. Dr Ng is a lecturer on creativity at the Singapore Management University and UniSIM. He is also the Director of The Idea Resort which provides training on creative problem-solving for school teachers and students.

Comments from Reviewers

  • The 21st century demands a creative and dynamic personality who can take the initiative in doing things. This takes a lot of re-learning for Asians who are raised to be shy, modest and reserved. In his provocative and inimitable style, Kwang dishes out practical, down-to-earth advice on how to be a creative Asian in spite of the society one is raised in.

    Dr Margaret Chan, Coordinator of Creative Thinking,
    Singapore Management University

  • Kwang has come up with a practical guide on creativity filled with many useful tips for the reader. For example, how do you design a creative product? What creative techniques can you use to "think out of the box"? Kwang whets our appetite with colorful anecdotes of creators, from Einstein and the Wright brothers to Zhang Yimou and Steve & Chad (the inventors of YouTube). A VERY interesting and insightful book!

    Dr Leong Chan Hoong, Asia Research Institute,
    National University of Singapore