The Ultimate Guide to Getting Through Creative Block
Let’s face it, if you’re a designer, chances are you’ve hit a creative block at some point. Whether it’s staring blankly at your screen for half an hour before giving up or obsessively reworking the same idea until your brain aches.
But it doesn’t have to be.
So, we’ve gathered some top tips from our studio team to help you combat the creative block.
Change your environment
Jasmine, one of our graphic designers, had a university tutor suggest hopping on a bus (specifically the number 11 in Birmingham - if you know you know), not to anywhere in particular, but to sit and give herself some space to think.
Whilst you might not want to ride your local bus route, changing your scenery, going outside, and getting away from the environment you’re in can conjure creativity in the most unlikely ways.
Take a break
Not to quote KitKat, but yes, taking a break can really help eliminate creative block. Try to make it common practice to press pauses on your work anyway, but especially when you’re finding it hard to get over creative ruts. In doing so, you help clear your mind, reset, and approach work from a fresh angle.
Browse creative books
If you’re anything like our studio team, you’ll most likely have an unhealthy obsession with books – specifically those that include pretty pictures.
But all jokes aside, flipping through books created by designers, artists and the like can help spark inspiration. Plus, you can do this from the comfort of your own home or office.
Talk to people
An incredibly simple idea, but one that works surprisingly well is talking to your fellow creatives, or anyone for that matter. Speaking ideas out loud or getting different perspectives to a brief can help invite new approaches and ways of tackling briefs you may never have thought of on your own.
This is cheating either, it’s just good old-fashioned teamwork.
It’s also a great opportunity to get feedback on your work already. As Elliott Walker said:
“Surround yourself with people that will give you honest feedback. They need to be able to say ‘this sucks’. That doesn’t mean you suck. But that feedback will make you better.”
Forget about the result
Finally, something that may be the hardest of them all is to completely forget about the end goal. Throw it out the window.
This isn’t to say you should forget about what the final product needs to achieve and essential elements like target audience. But, by removing pressure you allow your brain to think freely without the brief looming over you.
In essence, creative block can often be overcome by stepping away, switching up your surroundings, and giving yourself a bit of mental breathing room. It’s not always easy, but these tips can help ease the struggle.
If you want to find out more, or work with us, get in touch today!