Creativity Express – Review

Creativity Express
Company: Madcap Logic
Price: $29.95
www.madcaplogic.com

As an art teacher (formerly k-8 and now primarily high school) I am always looking for new software for the classroom, my students, or for myself. Creativity Express by Madcap Logic fits into all three of those categories.

At first glance it looks like something that would be great for elementary school children. However, the more I played with it the more I saw how it could be used by older students, and by myself. The box says for ages 7 to 97 (why only 97?) and I definitely agree it is not just for kids.

Creativity Express is a collection of movies, games, and projects geared around art. Some of these activities occur on the computer (like the games and videos), while others are art activities to create off the computer. Kids (and adults) are guided through the activities by two animated penguins and a polar bear.

When you start the game you create a login name that you use each time you play. You are then presented with over 20 options or categories. Each of these options is full of videos, games, and activities. Games can be played for Art Cards (digital cards about art and artists) and pieces to a mystery puzzle.

 

My favorite section is the “Creativity Builder.” This section is packed with project ideas that would be made off the computer. The projects are geared towards all different ages, and range from cartoons to realistic projects.

 

There is also a Glossary and a Portfolio section. In the Portfolio tab kids can import images of their artwork created digitally or even from a digital photo. A great place to collect all of that art!

As I tested the software, I not only learned a few things I found myself finding starting points for project with my students. If I was learning as an art teacher, imagine how much the young artist in your family would learn. (Okay, I’m sounding like an informercial now, I’ll stop).

As a bonus, the software comes with the fantastic basic version of Artrage 2.5. This is no freebie extra. The basic version can be freely downloaded from www.artrage.com, but it is nice to have right on the CD and not having to download it.

My one and only problem with the software is that you have to have the CD installed to run it. This is really annoying. If a younger user gets a hold of the CD and accidentally damages it the game will not run. I realize the game is full of videos and graphics that would probably take up a lot of hard drive space, but I would like to see the option to install everything from the CD to my hard drive.

Other than that, I highly recommend Creativity Express for the home and the Art classroom. It is well worth the price of $29.95.

MyMac.com Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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