The mind of an artist is essential to company and organization innovation. Artist's creativity leads to divergent thinking. This is the best way to come up with unique and new solutions to problems that do not exactly have a "right" answer. Stereotypically, artists find themselves battling rebellious tendencies. However, sometimes that disruption is exactly what large companies need to stir up their stakeholders and get their attention. Also, the mind of an artist is endowed with a large quantity of emotional intelligence that is integral to empathizing with the end user, a core component to Human-Centered Design. Additionally, artists contain a unique ability to translate their thoughts and feelings into a different medium, whether it be music or self portraits. Companies rely on this aspect heavily in branding and marketing but it truly becomes a tool for innovation when artists assist on prototypes with empathy in mind. Finally, the mind of an artist is proficient at drawing connections in the world around them. This perspective also assists innovation as it may integrate an overlooked but useful feature into a product, executing a marked improvement in the overall design.
Marilyn Monroe is remarkable because she embodies a rags-to-riches story. She remains a cultural icon over 50 years after her death. She is a household name. She was a talented celebrity and an expert in self branding, moving through various social circles. Marilyn quickly garnered attention by dating high profile athletes or singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK.
Beyoncé, too, is a rags to riches story, beloved by Americans. She came from a poor neighborhood in Houston. Beyonce has been in the public eye throughout her life, performing since she was eight years old. She is a talented singer, dancer, and songwriter. As well as performing, she is an activist and regularly participates in crisis relief, especially in her hometown. She continues to inspire young artists to find their creativity at any age, notably to young black women like herself.
Michelle Obama remains a model for a First Lady. A graduate from Harvard Law, she consistently showed intelligence and initiative. Promoting her Let's Move! campaign, Michelle did far more with her position than simply planting an organic garden at the white house like her predecessor. She is remarkable for creative problem solving and intense drive as she fought the childhood obesity epidemic.
Albert Einstein is remarkable because of all of his contributions to the world of science, most notably the field of physics. A German immigrant, he is a Nobel prize winner in physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, since his ideas on relativity were still considered questionable. In addition to his expertise in physics, he was also an adept mathematician. His intelligence and perseverance in the realm of science made him quite a rarity in his profession, it made him a celebrity. Testaments to his name live on in pop culture today.
Frida Kahlo is remarkable because of the several obstacles she overcame to become a renowned artist. From a young age, she was bedridden with polio. As a child, she quickly became famous for her outspokenness and bravery, characteristics that followed her throughout her life. After a serious injury from a bus accident, she was once once again bedridden. In bed, she discovered her affinity for painting and quickly began crafting self-portraits. Her life was full of suffering in many forms but she was able to translate it into beautiful works of art. She became an icon within the feminism movement since she was viewed as an icon of female creativity.