80% of UK workers pressured to be more productive than creative, Adobe

06.07.2012
Three quarters of people (78%) surveyed by Adobe think that creativity is key to driving economic growth, but a massive 80% feel that there is increasing pressure to be more productive rather than creative.

While 51% revealed that they are expected to think creatively whilst at work, just over a third (35%) of those surveyed feel they are living up to their creative potential.

According to Adobe's survey, UK staff are meeting a number of challenges to being creative. Almost half of those surveyed (46%) say that they don't have enough time to be creative. Some are encouraged not to take risks, with 69% saying that risk aversion stifles their creativity. Another factor is lack of money -- 42% say that they cannot afford to be creative.

Other factors negatively affecting creativity in the UK are self-doubt, with 31% feeling they lack the confidence to be truly creative. The education system is blamed by 61% of respondents who feel that creativity is 'stifled' by the current education system. Despite this, 66% of the people surveyed feel that the younger generation are more creative than those over 35.

However, there is some positive news, 53% said that technology inspires them to create and gives them the tools they need to express their ideas.

A total of 1,000 adults, 18 years or older were questioned online.