Staying in Creative Shape — Ditch your Designer’s Block

1. Take a step back.

This is an easy one: make sure you take breaks from your work, especially if you work at a computer a lot. If you’re stuck, continuing to stare at a blank art board won’t help. Do some jumping jacks, walk around the block, look at a magazine; taking your mind off of what you’re stuck on can help tremendously. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes.

2. Do some research.

Since we’re at our computers so much, finding inspiration often comes from things we find online. But there are so many other resources available. Art and design has a vast and fascinating history, which you can find all around us: books, architecture, signage, sculpture, etc. Check out your library, local museums, your town’s historical buildings, antiques shops, local art shows: you might be surprised at what you find!

3. Don’t edit yourself.

Sometimes a project can seem overwhelming when you’re in the brainstorming stage: how do you know which concepts are worth keeping? Sometimes it’s not immediately obvious. Give your ideas a chance, sometimes others can see something brilliant in a concept you think is silly. It’s tough to get out of your own thoughts and get away from the voice in your head telling you to question yourself. Take as many of your ideas as possible to the next level, you never know what path your thoughts can take you.