Proper Imitation, a Prerequisite for Creativity Imitative Learning in Architectural Education (Design Process)

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Hakim Sabzevari University
According to general opinion, “imitation” is considered as the opposite of “creativity”. In architectural design, which is based on creativity, the same perspective is, likewise, prevalent to some degree. Some instructors imply upon students that imitation opposes creativity by issuing statements such as, “Be creative, and do not imitate others”. This paper, by “conceptualization” and logical reasoning of theories from a psychological viewpoint of imitative learning, traces the creative act in the right-brain from its imitative inception in the left-brain hemisphere, postulating that “proper imitation” is the motor of “creativity”. The concept of “tacit imitation” is then presented in the paper, and its essential role proved in the transfer of “tacit knowledge” of design skills from the architecture educator to the learner. Finally, the path for further research is indicated by suggesting questions about the “proper imitation for learning architectural design.”