We have all been there, staring at a blank screen or flicking through Pinterest to try and find that eureka moment! Add an ever-looming deadline into the mix and you just get stuck in a creative rut.
Staying creatively inspired can be a challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced world. With so much information at our fingertips, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so we reached out to some industry experts and asked how they get themselves out of those creative ruts.
1. Meditate in front of a masterpiece
Think back to what originally compelled you to commit to your chosen field. If you work in a creative capacity, it’s likely that you saw or experienced something awe-inspiring. Something that moved you and made you think “I want to do that”. Consuming the amazing works of others can be a great way to get the creative juices flowing again when you’re wondering how to get inspiration.
Meditating on a masterpiece can re-energise you during a creative lull. For visual and creative consultant, Tom Sykes, this practice provided a much-needed sense of peace too.
“I used to sit in front of a biblical painting at the Victoria & Albert Museum in the heart of London and lose myself to music. I’m not even religious, but there was something great about sitting in a quiet room. It gave me a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of London and reconnect with my creative self again”
Everyone’s masterpiece will be different, it might not even be in an art gallery, it could be walking down 5thAvenue to see the magic created in retail windows. We all have those special spots to lose yourself in. While it’s great to be able to take your time to get back into your creative headspace, not everyone has the luxury to step away from the laptop. Find that little soft spot if you can’t leave your desk, it might be a music video or a Spotify playlist.
2. Experiment – sometimes you find your answer in failure
Marketing guru Steven Bartlett discusses on his amazing podcast ‘Diaries of a CEO’ about how he encourages his team to experiment fearlessly. He says within these failures we find nuggets of creativity.
John Masefield, Creative Director at Tommy Hilfiger APAC has a slightly different approach when working on campaign photoshoots for the iconic American brand.
“It is more about how I set myself up for the shoot. I plan so much that there is a plan, but I don’t always pay attention to timings or other people’s process addiction, so I allow enough space for nervous energy to take over. It’s where my best work comes. Also, I make sure I am at one with the product, the product guides me, it fires my imagination, because without good product what are we?”
Having a plan but not always following it allows room for creativity to organically grow.
3. Get out of the digital world and work with the physical
Our brain works differently when we work without screens. It actually makes a lot of sense to ditch the endless browser tabs and seek inspiration from physical media instead. Especially when you consider how many other people are looking to the same Instagram accounts and digital platforms to garner inspiration from – is it any wonder we see similar creative outputs ‘trending’?
Using pantone books, and physical material samples helps us discover new combinations that Pinterest might not have caught onto.
Creative Director and found of Tuesday Design Studio Richard always finds new inspiration with a box of material samples.
‘I am a creative, and like a lot of creatives I find working with my hands and raw materials exciting and inspiring. Holding something tangible in my hand helps me understand the materials property better than a picture from the internet.’
4. Collaborate
Surrounding yourself with other creatives can be a great way to get inspired and overcome creative blocks. Whether it’s having a chat with your peers, or talking to your boss about your work, connecting with others can help you see new perspectives and gain new insights into your own creative process.
5. Take a break
Sometimes, all you need to overcome a creative block is a little time away from your work. Take a walk, go for a drive or simply take a nap. This can help you clear your mind and come back to your work with a fresh perspective.
Lucy Weatherall, Creative Director at Amyris Inc also agrees with stepping away from your screen. “I do some of my best thinking when I am outside in nature, sometimes hard when you live in a city, but I have a few good spots! I always take my dog Lion out with me, and this silent time allows me to clear my head and untangle my thoughts. A lot of the time my creative block comes from overthinking and most often I already have the solution there, I just can’t always see it”
Through trial and error, creatives find that magic mix of techniques and places to help unblock themselves. Hopefully our industry experts have shared some new insights to you, and the next creative block won’t hang around!
