In our field, creativity is essential to cohesive and innovative design solutions. Therefore, it is important to maintain and protect our ability to be creative. If we don't, we'll find ourselves in a slump or simply dissatisfied with our designs. Often in school we are asked to focus on many other tasks simultaneously and we can become tired and we wear thin. So I thought I'd share some tips that I have experienced for myself, and ones that others have shared.
Tip #1: Spend Time in Nature
There is a big push these days to incorporate themes of nature into our designs and it can seem cliche at this point to keep saying it. However, I have found that when I am outside I am able to relax and can put aside the things in my mind that are causing stress. Stress is often a source of mental blocks when it comes to creative thinking. Therefore, I am still a proponent of spending time outside. It could be as simple as a short walk or eating lunch outside when possible.
Tip #2: Take Care of Yourself
Many of these tips relate to mental and emotional health. However, it is important to stay physically healthy. Low levels of energy and a lack of sleep can often hinder the creative process. Studies have shown that the creative and problem-solving portion of the brain's ability is significantly reduced when the body is tired. In addition to sleeping enough, drinking water is another practical (and potentially more feasible ) way to easily help keep yourself healthy.
Tip #3: Collaborate
Once again, I am using another buzz word, but I do believe collaboration is very useful to help sort through your fragmented ideas. Simply talking to another person at the start of your brainstorming can be beneficial. Even if it is an individual project, just talking out loud can help you follow your train of thought and create a cohesive design solution in the end. Not to mention that you get feedback and some ideas from the other person that you can take and merge with your own ideas which will in turn result in a stronger, more diverse, and creative design solution.
Tip #4: Move Around
Whether it is as simple as changing the room you are in, or it is going to the gym, movement helps rid the body of stress, and helps you get your mind off of your project. I have found that when I can't come up with anything I get up and move around I can think more clearly arfterwards. I have also noticed that sometimes my inspiration and ideas come from the strangest things. Inspiration can come from anything in life so don't assume your best ideas will come while sitting in the studio.
Tip #5: Keep an Art Journal
This could be a notebook your carry around with you in your backpack or purse where you jot down ideas, sketches or motifs that you like. Another version of this could be a folder of pictures on the computer of buildings, rooms or even landscapes that you find inspiring. Also, Pinterest is a really easy and quick way to keep track of things that you like. Compiling ideas and other peoples' work is creativity boosting because you don't forget your "light bulb" ideas that come from everyday life or seeing other peoples' work. Another great thing is you can always look back through it to help get the "creative juices flowing."
I love the part about spending time in nature. SO many designers take inspiration from things in nature, whether is is water, plants, or animals. Nature is all around us and can have a calming effect on people so it is a great place to look for ideas for a design.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points you've made. I find that it's really easy to find creativity within nature. Thats where Gaudi found all of his inspiration. I think "Moving Around" is also a good point. We find ourselves always in the studio and I feel that doesn't necessarily promote creativity. I found these points very helpful!
ReplyDeleteTaking care of yourself is very important, I agree. It's hard to be creative, professional, and have good interpersonal skills if you're not taking care of yourself. Being tired, feeling sick, and not having personal time can all deter good design and hinder relationships with clients and colleagues.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great tips to keep in mind to help boost our creativity. Especially being in nature, which is becoming a big part of our design world. It all goes back to learning attention restoration from last semester as well.
ReplyDeleteI love all the tips in your post but my favorite is #5 keeping an art journal! I don't do keep an art journal but I may start because it made me think about how little we spend time drawing sketches of anything or everything. Our work are all so computer based now that sometimes I forget that the hand sketching part of design is equally as important.
ReplyDeleteAs seniors (some of us 5th year seniors) sometimes I feel like it's hard to find the creativity and motivation. This is a great reference and reminder! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this!!
ReplyDeleteEspecially 'Move Around' - I used to be afraid to leave my computer in the middle of a project. It would take me awhile to get into the 'design mode' and I thought if I just stuck with it - I would get my second wind - it NEVER happens.
I have learned that I wasted more time waiting for the second wind that I would have if I walked away when I was tired and then came back refreshed.
I keep a 'Room Journal' on Houzz.com - it is a mindless journal for me. I start a new idea book each month and log on when I watch TV - I flip trough all the images and save anything that catches my eye - no matter how small.