For ME, When I build, make or create something an idea usually comes on the spur of the moment and I try it. Some ideas work, some don't. The end result is what I do with it - more on this later.
My experience and "logic" that I would pass on is: "Don't fall in love with your idea just because you created it." Look at its design and value for what it is, and does it have the same effect on others that it does on me. Beethoven's favorite symphony to him was not the publics favorite. (At least that is what I read 40 years ago.)
I found for my self, that just because I have a new idea that I haven't seen before, that doesn't make it great. But the idea has to be tried - not necessarily by my peers (who could be jealous or ignorant of a totally new concept) but by the people for whom it is intended.
With my philosophy behind me - I have found that what truly makes a pen stand out (and this was discussed once about 8 to 10 years ago or so in a couple of posts on one thread) is the precise angle or curve, or spacing or sizes of segments. 1° difference can make the difference in something that "jumps out" vs "just looking good"; 1/2 a millimeter in a segment size will often do the same.
To me the greatest segmentation jump was the person that took the time to make the first herringbone pen published here. After that, the creative juices of Stephen (aka Skiprat) and a couple of others who turn metal into art like it is simply clay, - I am amazed at what their mind sees before they start. - Which brings up those that do Clay pens - amazing. Lately, those multicolor pens that are painted or cast into swirls.
I have wanted to make a "stained glass" pen for 10 years and worked on it and worked on it in my mind at different times over the years, and earlier this year (I think) one guy made a beautiful SteamPunk like pen with different sections colored differently - looking exactly like stained glass. So simple.
I think sometimes the barrier to creation is that for some of us, we overthink the new idea instead of just jumping in and seeing where it leads. Then with the new idea, sometimes it is hit or miss; but the miss is not a loss if one goes back and adjusts an angle or size or color. Kind of like writing. A good book or article rarely comes out that did not need editing. I wonder how many GREAT ideas were thrown away because we didn't take time to "edit" or tweak it a bit.