Hello, I’m Oliver Ding, founder of CALL (Creative Action Learning Lab), Curativity Center, TALE (Thematic Analysis Learning Engagement), and several other knowledge centers.
Over the past few years, I’ve been dedicated to developing what I call Creative Life Theory.
This journey began with the launch of the CALL project in 2019. CALL, which stands for Creative Action Learning Lab, marked my early efforts in exploring creativity.
In 2020, I worked on developing a new approach to studying Action-based Creativity in the age of platforms.
By 2022, I had initiated the Slow Cognition project, applying Howard E. Gruber’s evolving systems approach to research creative work. This led to the development of various Units of Analysis for understanding the aspects of creative life, each addressing distinct time scales, spatial dimensions, and theoretical focuses:
- Creative Actions
- Creative Projects
- Creative Journey
- Creative Landscape
- Creative Lifescope
In April 2023, I wrote Knowledge Engagement: Knowledge Center and Creative Life Theory and subsequently advanced the theory to version 2.0.
Inspired by Ping-keung Lui’s creative life, I committed fully to developing Creative Life Theory. On April 23, 2023, I created the following diagram, which now serves as a foundation for framing my creative space.
Creative Life Theory draws from four key theoretical resources:
- Theoretical Sociology (based on Ping-keung Lui’s approach)
- Activity Theory
- Ecological Psychology
- The Psychology of Creativity
From March 2019 to March 2024, I wrote and edited 30 possible books, each accompanied by diagrams and conceptual decks that bring these ideas to life.
My primary focus lies at the intersection of Knowledge, Creativity, and Adult Development—a focus I encapsulate under the term Creative Life.
While Creative Life encompasses many dimensions, I’ve chosen to emphasize the transformation between Individual Actions and Collective Culture as a pivotal aspect.
As I’ve developed Creative Life Theory, I’ve also created a suite of tools and frameworks designed to guide knowledge-related projects, particularly in the critical phase of early discovery.
To further this work, I launched Possible Press, a venture dedicated to transforming Creative Life Theory into practical tools and programs for knowledge creators.
The Early Discovery phase is rich with untapped potential—encompassing early ideas, draft diagrams, unfinished projects, and private conversations.
At Possible Press, we specialize in turning these hidden gems into innovative, non-traditional publications. Our offerings include Thematic Cards, Footbooks, Conceptual Decks, and Possible Books, all designed to make these insights accessible and inspiring to a broader audience.