Every graphic designer or every person working in the creative industry knows them: creative blocks. You try to get your head around the job as much as possible but it just leads nowhere. I have such moments too and they are very frustrating of course. But there are a few things that help me break creative blockades in order to get back into a creative workflow.
TIP # 1 - BRIEFING MEMORY
I write important points of the briefing on little cards and mix them. Then I lay out the cards on a big table – like a memory game. Translating the briefing gets some oomph through this and I sometimes get new ideas.
TIP # 2 - TAKE A SHOWER
It might sound funny, but my best ideas are thought up under the shower. Maybe the soulapping of the water makes my creativity flow, I don’t know. But I can be quite sure that when I take a shower, I step out with a fresh body and fresh ideas in my head. Important: Write ideas down as soon as you’ve finished the shower!
TIP # 3 - EXERCISE
Sports always helps to get a tired creative mind going again – jogging outside is especially good. Fresh air combined with a good workout is the best method to „reboot“ your mind.
TIP # 4 - COOKING
I love cooking. When I have a creative blockade, chopping fresh vegetables and trying out new exotic spices helps me a lot to get a free head for a good, intense work session.
TIP # 5 - ELIMINATE MESS
It depends on the person, but usually if everything is in order then distractions are at a minimum. "A tidy desk is a tidy mind" - this is not just for your physical desk, but your digital desk too. I once spent a few hours organising 2500 images that were just numbered (which did not help anyone). So now if I need a certain image, I can view my options easily without losing precious time and creative power.
TIP # 6 - IDEAS AT NIGHT
It is proved that the human brain is extremely active at night. And indeed, many of my creative ideas I dream at night. The good thing is that I mostly wake up when I have an idea. I immediately write it down then so no idea gets lost.
TIP # 7 - RE-ORGANISE THE DESK/OFFICE
Re-organising my desk or office furniture helps me get a new perspective on things and projects for clients which can boost creativity. (Upon successful completion of the job, the desk or furniture is put back of course.)
TIP # 8 -HOLIDAY
When time and budget allow, travelling abroad is always a benefit for my senses. I love travelling to countries where everything is completely different than in Austria – another culture, another language, other smells, other food etc. This is how I broaden my horizon, which tremendously helps me in my creative job.
TIP # 9 - LOUNGE, JAZZ OR CLASSICAL MUSIC
Studies proved that listening to classical music makes you work more effectively. And I can only confirm that. Some of my best works I created while listening to classical, jazz or lounge music (http://deluxemusic.tv/ is fantastic for the latter).
TIP # 10 - A RELAXING EVENING
Here and there, it is important to completely switch off your mind and relax. If it is a foam bath at home, an evening in the sauna or a day at a thermal bath: Taking a break from everyday life fills up my creative tanks with fresh energy. Important: Don’t forget to switch off your phone!
These are my 10 best tips for breaking creative blockades. All tested and approved! I hope I can help some creatives out there to prevent themselves from future creative blocks.