As a creative person matures and gains experience it’s often the case that they move into roles that are less and less creative at their core. Though it’s a natural progression, making the transition from doing creative work on a day-to-day basis to running a department or business can be hard. How do you stay responsible to your team, your business and your new less-creative responsibilities while at the same time keep a fresh creative mind? This is something I’ve put quite a bit of thought into, and while I don’t have all the answers I do have some tips and tricks to keep you in the habit of being creative, even when your job gets in your way.
I talked about this a bit in my last article for Graphic Define. I feel working on creative rituals or routines are probably the most important part of developing, and in this case keeping, a creative mind.
Develop creative habits and then stick to them just as you would, say a work out. Think of it as working out your creative muscles.
Often it seems that your day-to-day responsibilities will take the focus away from you being creative. I know I often feel that I don’t have the time to “play around” and that my creative outlets just aren’t as important as everything else I’ve got going on.
That’s a dangerous way of thinking. After all I got to where I am by being creative and my clients and employees expect creativity from me. I’ll not go as far as to say if you don’t use it, you lose it. However creative thinking can get “rusty” and it’s very important too keep in the habit of being creative.
This one is a bit hard, and especially relevant to me. As I’ve transitioned from a “working designer” to someone who has employees – all very talented and amazing workers – it’s been harder and harder for me to justify “getting my hands dirty.”
There’s also the challenge of making sure that my involvement as a creative director doesn’t interrupt or override my employees creativity. And micro-management is out of the question. I know how hard that was on me!
At the same time it’s important to stay involved. Not only for keeping creative, but to keep yourself educated and relevant. To that end I feel that it’s important you keep doing “work.” Maybe not as much as you used to, but do get involved with the projects going on around you.
I try my best to resource myself as much as I can. It’s actually part of my business model, we’re very hands on and I think that benefits not only me, but my clients as well.
An idea I’ve been thinking about is role reversal. If you’re an art director or creative director see if you can’t “switch places” with one of your designers on a project. Or maybe try some tag teaming; anything to keep you in the mix from time to time.
This tip is a bit obvious. A great way to keep you in a creative way is to develop new creative hobbies. Trying something you’ve never done will almost certainly get you thinking in new, more creative ways.
As primarily an interaction and Web designer, one of the things I’ve been interested in is print. I’ve not done it yet, but I’d love to take a letterpress course. Or maybe explore screen-printing.
What I have been doing quite a bit of is photography. That’s kept the creative juices flowing very well and as I’m fairly new there is quite a bit there that could keep my interested for a long time to come.
Every time I try something new like that I begin to see my primary creative work differently and I come back to it with renewed energy.
Related to developing new creative outlets and hobbies is the idea that you should be getting out and meeting, talking with, etc. other creative professionals. Especially with those who might be in a transitional point in their careers as well.
Go to conferences, meet-ups, happy hours and other creative social events. Talk to your peers, brainstorm with them, share lessons learned problems, solutions and your stories. I find that any time I get to spend with other creative people recharges my creative batteries.
I think this is a good idea for anyone, especially those who are in a period of transition or change. If you find yourself running a million miles per hour – workworkworrk – just stop, or better yet, plan days and hours that you can focus on doing whatever the heck you want. Use that time to do something fun, something creative, something that has nothing to do with your work.
It’s all to easy to get sucked into your job to the point where you let the rest of your life pass you by. This, in my humble opinion, is not the point of working. I think most people know that, but we tend to forget.
This is especially important for creative people transitioning to roles with more responsibility to remember.
I alluded to this before, but I think Creativity is something you learn, have to work at and practice often. You’re responsibility in your job might be changing, but if you’re still in a creative field it’s in your best interest to keep developing your creative skills.
This means you’ve got to make sure you’re still learning, working, and challenging yourself to get better. You can’t do that by neglecting your creative side.
Finally, a very un-creative bit of advice: plan for your creative future. Sit down and create a plan, or road map, or list -- or whatever makes sense to you – that’ll give you some structure to maintaining your creativity. It doesn’t have to be formal; the goal here is to get staying creative into the front of your mind.
For example, I schedule reminders to tell me to take a break and draw. I take one day every other month or so and sit down and really think about how I can stay creative and brainstorm things I can do to become *more* creative. On those days I make lists, I plan trips, I buy books, I research classes and think about new hobbies. I think about my work and fun things I can do to inject some creativity into my day-to-day.
It’s all helped. Even though I’m doing quite a bit less creative work on a day-to-day basis I feel like I’m in the most creative spot I’ve ever been in my life. It’s a good feeling.
 | D. Keith Robinson is one of the founders and the creative director for a small, Seattle-based design firm Blue Flavor. View Full Bio |
June 5, 2007 - 3:10pm
Great article, thanks! I've recently felt really "burnt-out" and a bit dry in terms of my creativity--much of my work feels the same, and hasn't felt "exciting" lately...
I needed to get out of this rut yesterday, and so I just kept chipping at things, surfed a bit and discussed some of the hurdles I wanted to overcome with a coworker. Sure enough, I did break through the bottle-neck and I think I may be onto something good--or, at least I'll get the project done on time with some style, a bit of freshness and things will work well and look pleasing to the users.
Sometimes, I take a short break or take a walk, or even run errands to get through a slow creative time... Hope this helps others.
Regards.
June 5, 2007 - 5:53pm
Excellent points and well put. I appreciate your succinct list of ideas and suggestions.
Personally, I find that listening to children talk about the world always brings a fresh perspective, and framing a challenge or problem in words that I would use to explain it to a young child often leads me to new and unique solutions.
Sometimes just being able to approach an idea from a different direction or frame it in a simpler way can jump start the creativity again.
June 5, 2007 - 11:46pm
Personally, I find that listening to children talk about the world always brings a fresh perspective, and framing a challenge or problem in words that I would use to explain it to a young child often leads me to new and unique solutions.
Todd - terrific ideas! I really like the focus on simplicity and thus, allowing your mind to get rid of all the clutter and focus on just being creative. Excellent!
June 6, 2007 - 3:26am
well for me i try to pursue more artistic interests as opposed to design interests, example picking new art style. another way is perhaps start a small online shop where you try to see if you can sell your own design and constantly working on improving your work.
but ultimately, i guess staying creative relies on the designer own will to constantly be discipline himself/herself to improve.
June 10, 2007 - 1:19am
Great little article, thanks for sharing. Im just a young designer myself and i find it impossible at times to come up with anything interesting when i have a WHOLE blank screen to work with! As you suggest taking time off and relaxing then coming back with a fresh mind really helps.
June 13, 2007 - 1:42pm
Great tips, Keith. Along the lines of "Make creativity a habit", might I suggest that everyone carry around a sketchbook? I find it invaluable when I have downtime to draw, write, or just put some ideas down on paper. It's also great when I think of an idea and I need to get it out of my head and somewhere safe to look at later.
June 13, 2007 - 7:36pm
Great article!
Recently, I keep on finding myself at the "workworkwork" point and realizing that I need to slow down. I read a great book last year, The Power of Full Engagment. Slowing down to recharge and be more creative / productive proves especially true for us creative types. Now I just have to live it.
Thanks for the article.
June 14, 2007 - 5:57pm
Great article!
I teach design subjects at high school level and will definitely be sharing these tips with my classes and other faculty.
I particularly relate to the "take time for yourself" tip. Often our minds are so full of images and inputs that we can't think freely and about "sweet nothings". Research seems to suggest that a stressed mind is a less creative mind.
Thanks again!
June 15, 2007 - 6:04am
That’s a great article! I’m currently in a job that no longer requires creativity and design, which is what I’m all about really. So I started my own project outside of work which has helped me a little to be more creative, but I want more..
Thinking of a new hobby or taking the time to get back into drawing is what I have decided to do, so from now on I’m going to make sure at least on day a month drawing is all I’m going to do which will also give me time for myself.
Thanks again..
June 19, 2007 - 3:02pm
Great find Jason! I've recently become a firm believer in the power of following your passion and keeping a low-stress environment. I've only been implimenting this for about 4 months, but already I feel healthier, am less of a bastard to be around (ask my wife), and am constantly motivated to work on my business.
June 20, 2007 - 8:42am
Great article, Jason!
I work in an environment where there are rules and regulations when it comes to design. Its hard to be creative at the same time stay within brand, so I do all sorts of reasearch, surfing, etc..to come up with new and refreshing ideas.
But off late, nothing has triggered my creativity mind. So the tips and tricks have certainly helped me think of what I need to be doing differently.
Thanks.
June 20, 2007 - 4:48pm
Thank you so much Jason!
I'm currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design and Web Development. I have noticed times, like Paul, where my creativity and motivation has been burnt away. If only this list was around sooner, thank you so much!
June 21, 2007 - 9:29am
Very inspiring. This really came on the right day for me! I'm going through a creative burnout and while reading this, i could really pinpoint some reasons for why I'm feeling this way :) Awesome, thanks!
July 5, 2007 - 2:03am
Just bookmarked this.. I think something that's going to help me stay creative is to just block out an hour everyday where I have no real point except to just come up with creative ideas.. ideas of stuff to paint/draw, or just simply outrageous ideas in general. This was a great article.
July 30, 2007 - 8:36am
Thank You for another very interesting article. It's really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… it makes you think more. So please try to keep up the great work all the time.
Greetings, Tworzenie Stron
August 2, 2007 - 6:25am
Great Article Jason!
I liked the point "Take time for yourself" which I think is a must for every designer who spend most of their time on their work..(believe me I am one among them!).. and I have felt that I can think fresh when I took a day off from my fulltime as well as freelance work..
IT REALLY WORKS!!!
Wish you Good Luck!
August 22, 2007 - 7:12am
Thanks for the great article. Completely well written and I fully agree with You it, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of your other posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… it makes you think more. So please try to keep up the great work all the time, be good
November 17, 2007 - 5:52pm
Wonderful ideas for the creative person, great for my research project, I applaud your skill and techniques on design.
December 21, 2007 - 6:05am
really good tipps you provide to "stay in touch" with the creativity. i think the part "take time for yourself" is very important but not easy to handle. anyway thank you for sharing your great tipps i try to use ´em for myself.
January 4, 2008 - 6:46pm
i just found this really great article and would like to say thank you. really great stuff for us who struggle with creativity. :(
January 14, 2008 - 2:55am
That’s a great article! I’m currently in a job that no longer requires creativity and design, which is what I’m all about really. So I started my own project outside of work which has helped me a little to be more creative, but I want more...
regards
January 29, 2008 - 4:24am
hello
I work in an environment where there are rules and regulations when it comes to design. Its hard to be creative at the same time stay within brand, so I do all sorts of reasearch, surfing, etc..to come up with new and refreshing ideas.
But off late, nothing has triggered my creativity mind. So the tips and tricks have certainly helped me think of what I need to be doing differently.
February 4, 2008 - 9:40pm
I agree that being creative will help you in a lot of ways. I think these tips are something we could apply to everydaylife and workplace situations.
February 17, 2008 - 3:57am
Interesting thoughts. Staying creative while growing your business is very challenging for the profession turned small business own. Being able to stay creative and delegate tasks to subordinates is very important, if one has to grow his/her business.
March 4, 2008 - 5:54pm
I just recently wrote a blog post about one of your points - or - that I don't do it enough and that is take time for yourself. If ever I can appreciate this recommendation it's right now as I have been working more and harder than I have in a long time. For me, taking a little time for yourself is a must or the creativity ceases to exist.
March 23, 2008 - 5:24pm
Great article but to understand it better than now i have to translate this in Turkish very well.
April 1, 2008 - 6:04am
Great Article Jason!
I liked the wise "Take perdurability for better self" which I wear the idea is a estrual for every designer who fritter away better of their realm of light on their paneling..(believe me I am one amid ourselves!).. and I subtract napery that I can gather deluge rather I took a day off withdrawn my fullyears on end as well as freelance pole..
April 1, 2008 - 1:39pm
Hi Guys,
Wonderful Article, I would not have implemented everything said, but just tried and still trying.When you guys get time, please visit my site at www.gluchy.com.
At Gluchy every art piece has a game behind.
Appreciate your comments. I love reading about creativity.
-YVR
Gluchy - Creativity Triggered.
April 1, 2008 - 1:52pm
It is easy to be creative when you are passionate about something. Yet, what most people don't know is that the creative process can be hard work. But that is what makes the result of your creativity worth it.
April 4, 2008 - 6:23am
I agree that in order to be creative, you need to have alot of passion and to be creative, it needs alot of hardwork.
I came arcoss a Gothic Culture Community recently and i found they are a bunch of creative people.
April 18, 2008 - 8:48pm
Great article really awesome, thanks a lot.
April 18, 2008 - 8:52pm
Great really great
i just found this really great article and would like to say thank you. really great stuff for us who struggle with creativity. :(
April 21, 2008 - 11:35am
Great article, thanks for sharing. Creative= Passion + hardwork!
April 21, 2008 - 10:48pm
Great piece. I especially like the idea of taking up creative hobbies. I will definitely try this.
April 24, 2008 - 5:59am
This is an interesting article. Creative thinking! Creative post.
April 30, 2008 - 4:54pm
I am an Art Director myself and have learned a lot from reading your article. Great input, thanks!
May 1, 2008 - 6:05am
Staying creative is definitely very challenging for anyone in business. Not being creative will kill your business as your competitors show up with new ideas.
May 5, 2008 - 4:13am
You need to be creative to be in this internet business!
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