An inventor stands out for his originality when thinking of solutions or improvements.
Originality is the condition of originality . The term original , for its part, has several uses: in this case, we are interested in its meaning as that which arises from the creativity of its author and that is innovative or different from what was already known.
It can be said that originality is a valued quality in an artistic work or product. When something has originality, it stands out for its uniqueness .
What is originality
Originality is the factor that makes a work stand out as novelty . In this way, this creation is considered an innovation because it is an unprecedented element, out of the ordinary or that presents a new approach.
It is important to indicate that the notion can refer to both a work and an individual. People who show a special ability or talent to produce unique and unknown things are praised for their originality.
It can be simplified by pointing out that original subjects usually produce original products, or that original goods are produced by original men or women. Of course, this is not always the case: a musician may have stood out for his originality for many years until, at a certain point, his songs became repetitive or conventional. The bold and visionary artist , therefore, evidenced a change in his capacity for creation or in his creative evolution.
When a product is unique, it stands out for its originality.
Some examples
We can find examples of originality in all disciplines of art. If we focus on literature, it is common for "Hopscotch" to be highlighted as an experimental and revolutionary book.
This novel that the Argentine Julio Cortázar ( 1914 – 1984 ) published in 1963 has 155 chapters and can be read in different ways: from the beginning to the end sequentially; from chapter 1 to 56; in an order suggested by Cortazar that leads to alternating and skipping chapters; or directly as the reader wants. This unconventional proposal made many critics consider Cortázar a genius.
In the plastic arts, various specialists highlight the originality of the American Andy Warhol ( 1928 – 1987 ). Promoter of pop art , he combined painting, hand drawing, screen printing, engraving and other techniques throughout his career.
Much further back in time, the Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( 1756 – 1791 ) stood out for his originality. It is often expressed that Mozart , author of more than 600 compositions, is the father of different genres that fall within the so-called classical music .
Artists who forge their own and disruptive style are recognized for their originality.
The importance of originality in the corporate sphere
Originality is not only important in art: it is also very relevant in the field of business. An invention can become a big business and a distinctive feature of a company.
The Windows operating system, to mention one case, achieved impressive success by introducing windows to the computer graphical user interface. This innovation allowed Microsoft (the development company) to achieve million-dollar income.
Apple , another technology firm, achieved widespread recognition with creations such as the Mac computer, the iPod audio player, and the iPhone telephone. Thanks to these products, the founder of Apple , Steve Jobs ( 1955 – 2011 ), is often mentioned as a genius with an innovative spirit.
The authenticity
Another way to understand originality is by associating the idea with authenticity . In this sense, an original or authentic painting is one that was painted by its creator and is not a copy or a forgery.
The originality of this type was many times analyzed from philosophy. For the German Walter Benjamin ( 1892 – 1940 ), the uniqueness of an artistic work is given by its aura , in turn linked to its own space and time. This means that a painting can be copied exactly thanks to technical means, but there is no way to reproduce its aura (its essence ). That gives the original work an inimitable property.
This authenticity is also key in products that are marketed under a certain trademark . The original item has a much higher price than an illegal (pirated) copy, even when the material or technical characteristics of both are similar. This is because the brand is an intangible value in itself, which can confer a certain status.
The originality of the pioneers
Pioneers who open a new path thanks to their originality promote the advancement of society. Their genius is inspiring , promoting the creative work of the community.
Historical figures such as John Lennon , Salvador Dalí and Edgar Allan Poe , to name a few exponents of different arts, were able to leave a mark and today, much later, millions of people dream of following in their footsteps.
It must be said, however, that copying or imitating is usually not healthy in the artistic field. Experimentation , in this framework, is one of the tools that can lead to the emergence of something original. There are self-taught people who, betting on spontaneity and improvisation, manage to chart a new course.
In other cases, originality is supported by study and perseverance . A musician with many years of learning and practice has a very important foundation to develop his creativity freely.