Edwin Land Quotes

What I tend to do is to wake about five in the morning-this happens quite often-think about the invention, and then image it in my mind in 3D, as a kind of construct. Then I do experiments with the image...sort of rotate it, and say, 'Well what'll happen if one does this?' And by the time I get up for breakfast I can usually go to the bench and make a string and sealing wax model that works straight off, because I've done most of the experiments already.

Prototyping is the conversation you have with your ideas.

I enjoy creating new ideas, working on new creative projects.

Imagination decides everything.

I like the creative aspect of developing a project.

Try out your ideas by visualizing them in action.

We very much use a prototyping model, play with ideas, and then get stuff started that way, which is how the greatest projects get started.

One rule of invention: before you can invent it, you have to imagine it.

We all dream things into being; you imagine yourself having a child, and then you have a child. An inventor will think of something in his mind and then make it actual. So things are often passing from the imagined realm into the real world.

When you are a designer, what's important is to be aware of things. Everything should lead to an idea, a line to follow, a movement.

If you can imagine a thing, conjure it up in space then you can make it... The universe is real but you can't see it. You have to imagine it. Then you can be realistic about reproducing it.

I would rather have ideas and some difficulties of technique than a perfect technique and no ideas.

When I get an idea I start at once building it up in my imagination. I change the construction, make improvements and operate the device in my mind. It is absolutely immaterial to me whether I run my turbine in my thought or test it in my shop. I even note if it is out of balance.

Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens, I'm always disappointed because it's never like what I imagined in my head. When an idea becomes a reality, then it's a job. I'd rather just think about it.

Creativity is the process that gives life to a new product.

Isn't the drawing board the place where all the best work happens? It's not a bad thing to go back there. It's the entire point.

I'm not a craftsman of graphics or art or film. I'm more of an idea generator and manufacturer.

You can't buy something which does not exist. In a way, let's make things exist and then judge later. Don't cancel the process of creativity too early; let it flow.

Some people would say my paintings show a future world and maybe they do, but I paint from reality. I put several things and ideas together, and perhaps, when I have finished, it could show the future.

When I studied graphic design, I learned a valuable lesson: There's no perfect answer to the puzzle, and creativity is a renewable resource.

If you're willing to put two thoughts into a picture then you're already ahead of the game.

Creating something is all about problem-solving.

People seem to have trouble with the imagination. They can't believe that you can just pull things out of your brain like that.

It's very important to understand that we never do the same thing twice; each of our projects is unique. We'll never do another 'Gates.' Each project is a unique image. We do not know in advance how the work will look. I do preparatory drawings, but they are only projections of our vision.

The most exciting time is when I think of an idea and how I imagine I can make it. It would be wonderful if there was a projector inside my eye that and it could just put the idea on the screen for people to see.