Creative Discussion – How Do You Beat The Creative Block?
As we strive to engage the creative community here at Fuel Your Creativity, we would like to create an on-going dialog with our online friends and colleagues. Here we will be posting small questions about the creative process in an attempt to initiate that discussion. So this will be our first topic to broach with the creative community, feel free to chime in below in the comments. After leaving the discussion open for a week or two, we will be compiling some of the responses into a post on the topic at hand.
How do you beat creative blocks?
Okay, not to go all Mike Myers, but…Discuss:
Grab the Feed
I’d have to say, unplug my mind! Turn the music up loud and flip on the 360. Something about screaming out with The Pogues or Placebo while taking on the zombie hordes of RE5, it really lets me decompress for a bit, then lets my brain start storming once more!
My top way to beat creative blocks is to get outside of the house. Something about the fresh air and beautiful views will knock it out almost every time. It’s really helpful just to get away from the computer but nothing is as fool proof as actually being able to get out into nature.
I like to serve myself a fresh cup of coffee, relax, maybe do some internet surfing and then I get back to work. It almost always works!
I have to agree with both Rob and Angie. The core concept is getting away from your work space and stop trying to force yourself to come up with something. It is common for people to sit around looking for inspiration or demanding they create when they are simply tapped out. Getting up and going to the gym, or playing a game, or going outside and going for a jog or walk or whatever can really let those fibers unwind and the creative juices will follow.
Try to do something completely unrelated, letting that part of my brain relax a bit really helps. Going out for dinner and some drinks works well too.
Typically if I am feeling unmotivated I just start Cranking some tunes, and it all comes back :)
I combat writers block by listening to one of my favourite songs, writing down the first long of the lyrics and seeing where it takes me, even if it’s complete rubbish, it still gets me writing. I’ve created some really good work this way!! This also works with the first line of a book or piece of poetry!
Walk away from the computer. Exercise. Do some abstract paintings, that will loosen you up.
I tend to walk away from the computer an do something not related to design. More often than not, I’ll get a few ideas while I’m away. Another big one is riding my bike, it clears my thoughts and allows me to forget about design.
Typically I don’t run into creative blocks as much as motivation for the less-satisfying or enjoyable parts of the work I do (meticulous, mind-numbing, repetitive coding, troubleshooting, invoicing, etc.) For that I just switch projects or gears or walk away from the work. However, when creative block does strike, I will usually look at unrelated artwork – not web designs. But paintings and photography. And of course, with some VERY loud music playing. But that’s kind of a given regardless of the situation.
I usually take the dogs for a walk or go for a drive. My best ideas come to me in the car!
Drink a few beers.
This is definitely one of those things for me that there is no clear concise answer for. The closest I can get to one is simply, do something besides stare at the computer screen. This could be play some video games, read a book, work on something else, go out somewhere random I don’t normally go, to going out to the pub and getting a little tipsy.
Sometimes the block is broken within hours, other times it may take a few days.
Although when I don’t have the luxury of time on my side, I do just love looking at other peoples work, it can be both inspiring and idea generating.
I usually start of with something mathematical, and avoid thinking too much, and while building up the “monument” ideas start to pop up…
If its a bad slump, I usually go for a walk and look around, Paris is the perfect city for this!
the worst thing to do? search on the internet for ideas… time consuming and usually ends up on flickr or facebook… :(
I will sometimes try a different camera or format, different subject matter, or locations. Music works, as well as reading and browsing the book racks at Barnes and Noble. Art galleries are fun.
And sometimes, I just get in the car and drive.
1. Music
2. Kittens
3. Chocolate
4. A nap
5. Chatting w/friends
6. Google image search (random, usually)
7. Music
8. Cheese
9. My furbabies
10. My mother’s furbabies
11. Music
I leave computer for a while; play with kids or take a coffee. If it takes too much time, I just ignore it. The more you pay attention to it, the longer it will last :)
Getting some fresh air seems to always work. Checking google reader can be risky (so many things to get distracted by), but it can lead to some inspirational finds.
Welcome to Coffee tolk. ;-) LOL I loved that Myer’s skit.
I usually step away from the computer and go outside and soak up some creative brain energy from the sun. That’s where my powers come from. ;-)
I push myself away from my desk and get out of the office. Most of my best ideas/concepts don’t come to me in such an environment anyway. I garden, visit galleries or museums, go to a movie, check out new retail and restaurant establishments, hang out in a bookstore, meet friends for coffee/lunch/drinks, and more.
Usually just getting my mind off of the situation for a little while helps me out a lot. Just letting the idea sit on the backburner for a bit seems to let the creativity flow in.
I like to get together with friends and discuss the project I’m working on. Get a little brainstorming session on over coffee usually gets the creative juices flowing for me. It’s nice to get input from people that aren’t emotionally attached to the project and see how they would solve the problem.
Been doing creative work since 1960 (cartoons, graphics, signage, architecture, display, product, interiors) Since 1979 been speaking and consulting on creative thinking and creativity.
Creative Block removal, elimination, deflection, avoidance….etc. topic been dealing with for a long time.
change environments
change media
change project
change tools
change sense
add music
add visuals
add stimuli
add people
add ideas that inspire you
scan through great work by others in any and/or design fields
use creative thinking tools A to Z: Attribute Listing to Zoology to change mindset and spark new ideas or perspectives.
WanderingAlan
alan@cre8ng.com
Thanks for all of the great replies everyone! Seems that for most, getting away from the computer is a must.
Agh this is a good question. I do a lot of things, but the top ones that come to mind are the following.
Usually when I am stuck in a rut music is one of the top choices i look to for creating visual imagery, whether it be something photographic or design related. The next important move i make is browse gallery sites (flickr, deviant art, etc) with keyword searches from some ideas or lyrics that are in my head from the music. Either I will come up with an idea from scratch or someone’s work will spark a light in me telling me to do this, but with a completely different twist on the final image.
Other than that i step away from the computer and go for a run, workout, something that involves me getting outside to get away from things to clear my head. Inspiration is all around us, but if you fail to recognize it then you will always be in that block.
I try to stop pressurising myself to “be creative”, take a break to tidy up and sort out my studio afresh, then look again at things I was pleased with that I’ve kept for myself, take one of these and do a variation (not a copy, but like a series).
take a shower ..sleep ..delicious meal …n dump the weird machine…
do some light mood comedy make weird faces …n then back into my weird machine
On freelance projects – I take my computer and go to my parents’ house. They live on a beautiful polish countryside, with fresh air and stuff. Being there for few hours makes me recharge all my batteries. I take my computer, because I can start working immediately when I’m recharged.
Also, “summery” music helps. Funk, g-funk, easy going things reminding me of California beaches make me wanna draw – I always have things like that covered just in case. ;)
if I can’t work through it, putting it on the backburner often helps (ideas grow) or getting away from the computer; be that coffee with my family, reading or getting into nature and doing some birding. I’m lucky in that my family are creative and are used to the idea of brainstorming concepts.
Brian
Meditating or going out into nature, staying in silence or lissening to music, all of these and other means are good to unwind and unblock – each to choose what functions best…
But I think being blocked often has to do with the fact that we are so concerned about our self image (even if this concern is uncouscious!) and therefore it is our self that bocks our freedom to create.
When we understand this, and LOVE WRITING and COMMUNICATING more than we want to project our own image, words (or other forms of creativity) simply flow much more freely and we more easily become messagers of our dreams, visions and joys.
Maria Carmo
I agree with everyone who recommends getting away from the computer. My “unblocking” occurs while working out or driving
Change, change, change. To change is to grow. I change what I am doing (screen stare) and grow through the block.
will go up to a busy street park my vechicle wlk on road wid a smoke in my hand tht would give a great relief
Hmm, maybe surf YouTube for a while, watch funny videos of cats and kittens? And to help inspire me, log into DeviantART.
Awesome discussion. Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I can’t deny the power of the great outdoors for clearing my head and getting inspired. Though, admittedly, it’s hard not to get inspired here at the base of Pike’s Peak in the Colorado Rockies. It’s amazing. So I would have to add that to my list as well, and chime in with all my creative peeps feeling the vibes outside.
As a puzzle designer, it’s different trying to find inspiration than when I’m working in design. Usually I’ll find puzzles from someone else to solve. That or get drunk :) When I’m out of the house, sometimes I find inspiration but 9 times out of 10 I’ll just get distracted.
What I tend to do, like some many others, is to change my environment. Put myself in a space where I don’t have to rely on conscious decisions and be overloaded with more information that my already blocked mind wont absorb. Allow the brain to relax and access its unconscious mindset.
If your pressed for time, come up with an idea that is completely rubbish and work backwards. After all, we can very easily and quickly identify a bad idea from a good one. Analyze why this is the case in your design and you can end up giving yourself the answers to your original dilemma.
Matt Roberts
i love to browse around web galleries when facing creative block – that’s one of my way. i also gain most of my inspiration through music+lyrics (indoor), printed publications & movie intro for more sophisticated ideas!
Music is key, as well as getting away from the computer. If you have other hobbies (other than design) go do them. I yank out the camera and head uptown/downtown and snap some shots – that redirects how my mind looks at things. If you do any kind of art/craft work, that can be therapeutic as well.
The aforementioned: beer, coffee, naps, brainstorming/sketching, etc are all good ones as well. I think it all depends on the project and your current state of mind as to which works the best.
And keep reading the following comments!
The worst thing I can do is stay in front of the computer.
If it’s nice, I’ll take my sketchbook outside. Not so nice, the big library downtown or a coffee shop. Then I’ll just try not to think. It’s usually when I’m not thinking about a client/project/strategy that I come up with my best ideas. I keep a little notebook beside my bed because as soon as I start relaxing from the day the good stuff starts flowing. And the shower too. They need to invent a waterproof pen/paper.
Great topic!!
When I have creative block i will totally change what i am doing i will go clean something just to make my self change my whole mindset then i will go back an hour latter or so
Whenever having mental blocks there’s a few methods that tend to work for me.
1st. COFFEE! During the summer it’s been iced coffee. There’s something about that smell that makes me think. It also has to be coffee from out of the house. Part of the experience for me is getting out of my “batcave”.
2nd. Driving is another thing I use. I love a good drive around 50 or 60 miles worth is good while listening to some music. Cruising down the interstate singing poorly with the music.
3rd. Socializing. I love talking with people, hearing their stories and bullshitting. I love people I can joke with and make crappy puns. There very punny!
4th. These are hard to come by, but doing or going somewhere different. Where I can magically end up chatting with strangers, meeting new people and doing something unexpected. Really it just boils down to exposing myself to different things on a regular basis.
Those are my main ways to break the brick wall in my head. I also like looking at cool graffiti. Anyway cool topic.
Thanks for posting :)
Oh yeah sorry I forgot one more….Zombie movies!!!
I do a lot of writing and the worst thing is having writer’s block when on deadline. You don’t want to put out garbage, but you have to get it done. Usually, I get up, walk around, play with the dogs, etc. Then I sit down and start. Usually, once I start, it starts flowing. Getting the first sentence down is the key.
I have to go with chocolate bar and Red Bull or sth. like that. I close my eyes and listen to some ambient chill music really loud. It makes my mind to reset a bit.
If the first solution doesn’t helping i usually do crazy stuff – it can be real fun especially at the office. Than i sit down and… vuala.
At home – have you ever tried taking a shower in real dark? Try it – your head will be so fresh so clean, ready to do some awesome work!
Working at night/late also helps… The idea will pop eventually.
Have i mentioned surfing threw the web looking for some inspiration? Nah thats too obvious…
Looking back on much of what’s been written here, I am touched by a sentence “having a good first sentence is a must” – Well, may I leave the suggestion to have a post and comment on that topic? What’s a “great start”? How do we know when a sentence has that special “touch” that it will “nail people to their chairs” until they read the rest?
Just a suggestion!
Maria Carmo
I run. I put a nice upbeat playlist on my ipod, turn up the headphones, and go put a few miles under my feet. I zone out, feel my run, and by the time I get back, I’m ready to hit it hard.
I go to the toilet, my ideas always come when I’m on the toilet..
I don’t know why, but it works with me ;)
I talk. Plain and simple. I find people to talk to. My best ideas and thoughts come through conversation with cool people.
This is a lively discussion, and we are blown away by the response we’ve gotten here to our first go at this. Thanks to everyone for tossing in their two cents and helping to spread the word to bring in more opinions and points of view.
@ Maria Carmo – I think that is a really good suggestion. It has actually given me an idea to write a post on, however it seems like it might be better suited for another Fuel site that I have been asked to guest on…hmmm, if Michelle is down, that may be showing up on Fuel Your Writing sometime in the future.
Though, to clarify, no one else actually said a good first sentence is a must, Virgil mentioned getting the first sentence down is key. And though, I can’t speak for him, I believe he was less stressing how the first sentence must be great, and more that to get him writing, he must get that first sentence out. After that, he knows the rest will follow.