I don't think it is wise to only have one way of working. Having time alone to let your creativity flow and then having a more automated way of implementing ideas to see how they work, makes the most sense. I also believe having time to play with ideas, with a partner or group, can change the idea into something completely new, which only play can engender. Without play there is no art, invention or innovation.

> A friend of mine used to refer to code that was more art than engineering as “clever.”

I see "clever" code as the opposite of good engineering and art. Beautiful code isn't "clever". An elegant engineering solution isn't "clever".