In situations of creative struggles, there are a few simple methods to help you get motivated and inspired again. In this second instalment from our Brand Expression Team (Link to Part 1), you’ll find some creative advice to help you get your creative juices flowing again.
For Motivation
Thwart the feeling of brain drain: taking notes!
Never lose a creative spark of thought again by taking down a written proof of a brainwave. Take note of different thoughts and ideas throughout the day, and list them so you can add comments and other little thoughts to help you move forward at a later point in time.
Use an old-fashioned notebook or the notepad function of your smartphone. Some applications even allow you to share your notes with friends and family. The tools listed here are wonderful for formulating thoughts and creative endeavours at a later date.
Here are some useful applications:
For Inspiration
Create quick draft and sketch it. The biggest mistake is thinking that you’ll remember a design idea later when you get home. Notebooks, a small pad of paper, a napkin… anything goes. And if you come across an image or an object that inspires you, take a picture.
Show them to family and friends to get an honest evaluation and further advice. We’re often blind to the obvious aspects of what a design is lacking or showing too much. Their feedback will help you see your design from a different angle and motivate you further in your creations.
Just a Matter of Time
Avoid distractions. It’s important not to lose track.Good planning and meeting deadlines are the cornerstones to following the thread of creativity. They will guide us to the end of the tunnel and take help us become more confident in following our ideas through to creation.
New Horizons
Personal projects are very good way to open up new perspectives and provide a means for escaping the daily grind. You can release your creative powers on completely different projects and thus expand your knowledge and inspiration. We advise you to plan your projects in a reasonable way according to your schedule and time constraints.
Some ideas for personal projects:
- Start a blog
- Create an animated video
- Create a music video
If possible, changing your place of work enables you to have the feeling of getting out of a stale routine. Pick a place that suits your needs. It may be quieter, darker or even be in a public place like a park, pub or train station.
Public Enemy No. 1
Try seeing a blank page as a challenge and not a threat. With every blank page comes boundless opportunity, and it’s important to channel your attention to get to an easy start. Start drawing a simple geometrical shape, stick figure, swirl or smiley to cover your first base. A lot of the bestsellers in the Marketplace have started like this.
We really hope these tips will help you not lose sight of what matters to you. Did you find them helpful? Do you have other tips for our designers and Shop sellers? Please tell us all about them below!
