Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes
Graphic Design can be a difficult profession. We are creative by nature, which sometimes means that we can’t turn it off. I’ve noticed this in my own life – especially since I graduated and ventured out into the “real world” (whatever that is?). How does one maintain that ‘creative flow’ that makes us great designers? How do we disconnect from work and nurture our creative side? I can’t speak for everyone, but here are a few things that have helped me.
1. Exercise
I’ve been a runner since I was a wee one. Running has done several things for me throught my years. In the beginning it was more of a social thing, but now it’s more of a release and stress relief. After a long stressful day I like to go for a long run and clear my mind. I zone out and listen to music. I’m not saying that everyone should become a distance runner, but some form of excercise is good for the mind and soul. It also gets you out of your desk chair that is molded to your butt!
2. Music
Weather its listening to music, attending a concert, or playing an instrument – this is a great way to creatively stimulate another area of your brain. I have a guitar and mandolin sitting right by my desk. I don’t play as often as I should, but I find that a good 10-15 minutes helps refresh my brain and sparks creativity.
3. Blogging
I never expected to become a blogger – it just kind of happened. Writing is a great way to switch creative gears and get my thoughts out on paper (…sorta…my website theme is a piece of paper on a desk…haha). Writing about design helps me step back and think critically about my profession and passion.
4. Reading
I’ll admit that this is an area that I really struggle with – and I blame the internets! haha. I have trouble sitting down and reading a book – but the times that I have I’ve noticed that i’m really refreshed afterward. I tend to like long fiction books because they take me out of the real world and inject me into something completely different.
Aside from fiction I also recently joined an AIGA book group. They meet once every other month to discuss a graphic design book. Right now they are reading “Fingerprint: The Art of Using Hand-Made Elements in Graphic Design” I’m excited to dig into this book and discuss it with others!
How Do Stay Creative?
I’m interested in learning how you guys stay creative. Please leave a comment and let me know!
photo credits: running , mandolin, blogging, reading
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Renee says:
I like to work on my car! I just bought a Corvette so when I get stressed/burnt out I go out and wash it, wax it, and clean it inside and out. When I get done I feel proud, accomplished, and energized!
October 8th, 2008 at 5:52 am
curtismchale says:
I take some time outside, often with my dog. I spent most of Sunday afternoon taking pictures out in the mountains. I was tired but inspired at the same time.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Craig Baldwin says:
I’m not sure what keeps me creative, sometimes I have so much creativity I don’t know what to do with it but when I run out I just take a break from working and watch some TV or play PC games. A good long sleep is good too sometimes.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Grant Friedman says:
I agree with #1 and #2 completely. I go to the gym every day. It gives me time to clear my head, come up with some new ideas as well as the opportunity to burn off the pounds of M&M’s that I consume while designing. Music also helps considerably for whatever reason. I guess it just motivates in some way.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:25 am
shortee says:
Making music, reading books is indeed very refreshing. I started blogging this summer and noticed that its good for my creative output.
Meeting friends, talk and having fun ends mostly with good ideas and fresh motivation
October 8th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Rajesh Pancholi says:
How to stay creative…. wait for it….Exercise is a must we all already spend too much time in front of the monitor and rush you get from it is worth every moment but don’t remind me of this comment just after I’ve finished a session : )
Keep your eyes and ears open. Listen, read, discuss, watch. Not just design related issues either, the more aware you are the more you have to draw upon. Artists and designers from other fields of expertise are a great resource. I’ve even taken my godson’s scribbles because I saw something in it, he was 4 at the time I think…. Record thoughts, doodles, weblinks, tv footage, it all helps.
Everything. It could be the rust on an old piece of metal whose colours jump out and the end result is another great texture. I’ve even taken my godson’s scribbles because I saw something in it. Emotions, good mistakes, while working on another project.
But most of all try and it may be hard as I found, look away from design for inspiration and you come back to it armed and dangerous.
Nature is great as it always surprises.
If you’re trying to set a mood in a project try to feel it and act it out to put you in that frame of mind. I don’t mean physically acting it out but mentally and hence put some emotion into the work. Off course not every project requires that level of involvement but when it does you may be a little more prepared than the last time. Most of all I guess keep you mind open and use your eyes, ears and your imagination.
Sorry for the babbling but you did ask : )
October 8th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Rajesh Pancholi says:
How to stay creative…. wait for it….Exercise is a must we all already spend too much time in front of the monitor and rush you get from it is worth every moment but don’t remind me of this comment just after I’ve finished a session : )
Keep your eyes and ears open. Listen, read, discuss, watch. Not just design related issues either, the more aware you are the more you have to draw upon. Artists and designers from other fields of expertise are a great resource. I’ve even taken my godson’s scribbles because I saw something in it, he was 4 at the time I think…. Record thoughts, doodles, weblinks, tv footage, it all helps. It could be the rust on an old piece of metal whose colours jump out and the end result is another great texture. I’ve even taken my godson’s scribbles because I saw something in it. Emotions, good mistakes, while working on another project.
But most of all try and it may be hard as I found, look away from design for inspiration and you come back to it armed and dangerous.
Nature is great as it always surprises.
If you’re trying to set a mood in a project try to feel it and act it out to put you in that frame of mind. I don’t mean physically acting it out but mentally and hence put some emotion into the work. Off course not every project requires that level of involvement but when it does you may be a little more prepared than the last time. Most of all I guess keep you mind open and use your eyes, ears and your imagination.
Sorry for the babbling but you did ask : )
October 8th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Aaron Irizarry says:
Cool article… I work in a pretty demanding environment, and alot of times it actually dampens creativity and I am forced to find ways to refresh creativity.
All of the things you listed are things that have definitely helped me stay creative, some times I also check out other designers work and talk with them… just talking about different ways that we design, and what we are passionate about can be inspiring.
Again thanks for another great article.
~ Aaron I
October 8th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Brandon Cox says:
Reading DesignO’Blog! And going shopping with my wife – you can’t get away from creative marketing images – plus I’m bored to tears so it’s either daydream about designing or fall asleep and knock over a display of purses… again.
October 8th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Matt says:
I have been wanting to blog about this for a while now. I too work in an environment that is less than creative by nature (the financial industry). Some of these people barely have a pulse. It is good in the sense that I can do things that push myself. It is bad, because people do not want anything “outside the box.”
Anyway, going to the gym is helping, or at least stopping me from making my first kill.
Nice post! Good to see I am not alone heh.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Markus Zilgalvis says:
I’d say it also pretty much depends on whether you’re spending all your day inside sticking your eyes on to computers screen or you do other activities. They might be anything you enjoy, as you said sport or visiting some fashion shows, changing the location where you work, like take your laptop sometimes with you to sit back in a coffee house. For me it’s more like i need to see people every day and many of them, they don’t have to be my buddys, just seeing the crowd kind of inspires.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Justin Leaf-Wright says:
Yea no staying creative 24/7 is as difficult as it gets sometimes.
If I ever get a Creative block, I disappear down the the sea with my camera and have some fun…usually helps.
ww.leafydesignz.co.za
October 8th, 2008 at 11:31 am
TMR says:
I’m singing or whispering mostly when i’m down. its usually helps to refresh my mind and stay creative.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
D R E W says:
i knit! i can’t sit still to read a book, but i can sit down for long lengths of time if my hands are busy, like knitting. plus, it’s creative, since i alter most of the patterns i choose or create my own.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
dinsky says:
Knitting FTW!
I try and get outside every so often. I recently added a laptop to my creative arsenal, so I’m going to try working from the coffee shop, or the park or something.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:39 am
BetsyHaffner says:
I actually blogged about this not to long ago myself, you can read it here:
http://www.dirtycitydesign.com/blog/new-beginnings/find-creative-inspiration/#more-30
October 9th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Dainis Graveris says:
Nice tips! I am runner too – I enjoy the sport to feel good and to get the fresh air. It’s great You are even playing guitar – respect!!!
October 9th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Jad Graphics says:
I stay creative my drawing and doodling on paper!
October 11th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Eric says:
Thanks for the suggestions.
As a new, budding designer… and current video editor… I am frequently feeling burnt out, overwhelmed and all-consumed by work, never able to “shut it off”.
Thanks for the tips. Rekindling my creativity would be a blessing.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 am