Assuming that the framework in linguistic conceptual combination, such as the head and the modifier of a compound guide the creative process in visual image combination, we focused on the relationship between the constraints of the head or modifier and the emergence of forms and functions of the products. In the experiment, examples of artificial objects and living things were selected as the head and modifier categories that reflect differences in functional constraints. It was treated as artificial object having strong constraints and living things having loose constraints. In this experiment 72 university students were instructed to draw a combination from the two materials presented. The complexity of the form, the novelty of the function and the creativity of the product were assessed. As a result, when artificial objects as heads were combined with living things as modifier, the products displayed a complicated form with a novel function; this combination, therefore, facilitates original and innovative inventions. These findings suggest that the modification of an object with loosed constraints, after establishing the functional significance of the head with strong constraints, is effective and produces inventions.

Key words: creativity, emergence, constraint, conceptual combination, imagery