Search and Notions of Creativity

In this paper we consider a number of issues concerned with how creativity can exist within a paradigm of computational search. We look both at creativity within the search process and the capacity of the search space to facilitate creativity. Within the latter we consider notions of compressibility and openness in search spaces; the influence of modularity and substructures on creativity; and the distinction between items in a search space denoting an external reference versus connoting links within and beyond the search space. We go on to discuss whether there really is a true distinction between transformational and exploratory notions of creativity within the context of search. Finally we offer some open questions in this area.