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Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing

Writers block, mind block or any other similar problems can stop many creative professionals from completing their tasks. However, this no longer needs to be the case, as one company has created a online solution for the most annoying problem a creative can face. Many creatives in advertising, blog writing, news and presentation thrive on the pressure that comes from the "11th hour", that period of time just before the deadline that forces creative output. A new program from Rich Content, called eXpert Lingo claims to act as a creative catalyst to help accelerate the process of new idea development and presentation. A single word entry into the software taps 4.3 million word and phrases references and over 400,000 images to provide instant ideas, and then presents them in a visual outline and slideshow for distribution to an audience.

The program, a Windows 200 and XP and Macintosh OSX software application, provides a simple interface into four web-databases. These databases contain 1-million word associations, 3.3 million internet searches, 140,000 word synonyns and 400,000 fresh stock-photo images, and are updated weekly with new content to keep them relevant. Word Association, as the process is known, is used by creatives as a way to stimulate and connect ideas. The process begins with a single word or phrase, and then associated words and phrases pop-up from the original. Eventually a long thread of ideas, in words, colloquialisms, phrases and images come together into multiple ideas.

eXpert Lingo also promises to address the organization and presentation of the idea through a companion interface known as eXpert System. The integrated program provides an outline of the creative process, with additional editing controls and branding. In addition, a Slide Show Presenter allows the user to display the ideas much like Power Point, right from the computer. Additional export options make printing to PDF and HTML a one-click process. "We believe there is a long way to go before the creative process is truly refined in software" mentions Eric Kinney, Rich Content`s VP of Development. "But programs like eXpert Lingo can certainly provide an edge".