Hey Whats Going On

[Creative_Mess]

Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to drop by, say hi and introduce and tell everyone a little bit about myself. I currently live in Arizona working as a graphic designer for a company in downtown PHX. I signed up for this forum because i have been really lacking insipiraration, and creativity the last few months, to the point where im getting freaked out. Can you lose all creativity??? I read alot of magazines on design and lately it seems when i sit down to work my mind goes blank or I create something it feels similar to something i saw in a magazine, this is not good for me!! Has anyone ever been in this situation before? any tips to get those creative juices flowing in the brain? Id like to know so i could go from creative mess to creative guru! Thanks for having me, and i look forward to speaking with you all!

David

[Danger_Mouse]

Hey Creative, welcome to GDF. It gets pretty quiet in here on the weekends.

You will find alot of other designers have gone through the same thing. Do a search for similar threads and you will see what I mean! You came to the right place though, take some time and read through the threads could help you. I find just discussing design/art with others is an inspiration and motivation.

[budafist]

Welcome!

Yup, we all do go through that phase - and if you don't, you will!

Take some time out, go to some exhibitions, immerse yourself in creative things that aren't your own work.
Now if only I could take my own advice!

[Creative_Mess]

Hey Danger Mouse, Thanks for the welcome! I am glad to know that im not the only one who has gone through this scenario. I will check out some of the threads after dinner tonight and see what i can dig up! Hey thanks for the advice and i plan on being an active member of this forum as much as possible, Thanks Again!

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/welcomes/043.gif


Hey David!! Welcome Aboard :)

[Creative_Mess]

Thanks also for the welcome Budafist! Great Advice! It seems like my rear has been superglued to an office chair this past year. One more thing, are you guys as critical about your own work as much as i am? It feels like lately i have had to start/restart projects over and over, and after im finally happy with something it feels like a year has passed!

[Red Kittie Kat]

I am extremely anal when it comes to my work .... if I don't feel its just right I can't call it finished ;)

... and yes I drive myself crazy over it.

[budafist]

I've been increasingly less critical of my work when at work. It's because of impossible deadlines and clients that insist on including things that I believe could be omitted to create a beautiful piece of work.

I'm much more critical about things I do freelance.

[Botchup]

Welcome Creative_Mess! Good to have you onboard.

I used to be very critical about my work, always trying different options and exploring different perspectives on it. Until I eventually couldn't take the rushed deadlines, and all that work was usually scrapped (ie. customer changes) and reverted back to the 'minimalistic' approach the customer's rough had. Now I just do the 'minimalistic' approach and do what the customer asks for. Works well. :)

[Kool]

Hi CM, welcome to the forum. http://home.comcast.net/~rnick9/koolsmiley.gif

[morea]

Can you lose all creativity??? I read alot of magazines on design and lately it seems when i sit down to work my mind goes blank or I create something it feels similar to something i saw in a magazine, this is not good for me!! Has anyone ever been in this situation before? any tips to get those creative juices flowing in the brain?

Nah, I don't think so. This happens to all of us at some point or another. Don't deny it, you knobs. You know it does.

Check out this thread, lol: http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5392

Also, try standing on your head until all the blood rushes to your think-machine. By that, I mean your brain, not your computer. Then invert yourself quickly and try to draw as much as you can before you pass out.

I've heard that the newly released book "Caffeine for the Creative Mind (http://www.amazon.com/Caffeine-Creative-Mind-Exercises-Brain/dp/1581808674)" is quite good, although I have not had the change to pick up a copy yet.

The GDF "design challenges (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133)" can help get you thinking outside the box. As a matter of fact, GDF in general is really helpful.

Get outdoors. Get away from the computer and the tv and all the other mind-numbing electric powered brain fryers. See things! Write about things! DO things! It will help to inspire you once you are forced back into the corporate shackles of your day job! :p

Welcome aboard. Hope that helps some. ;)

[morea]

that's the other thing... sorry, I left my brain in my other pants. I meant to ad, "check out www.illustrationfriday.com - they post a different topic every week and it can be a fun way to stretch your creative muscles."

[(gra-ph!c-D'sig-nah)]

Welcome to the forum of forums. You seemed to have started a thread that has given me some insight!

[Creative_Mess]

Thanks Morea, Ill be sure to check out those links and resources, when im not at work like i am now of course LOL Thanks also GRA!

[budafist]

Change of scenery helps. If I'm stuck at home and need some stress relief, I turn on some old music like Sinatra and have a dance with my bf or pet - who ever will let me dance silly with them.

[morea]

!!!

I dance with Martell, too. He just sort of goes limp and lets me spin him around in a cha cha whenever Michael Buble's "Save the Last Dance for Me" comes on.

I was at work recently and that song came on the radio. I said, "Oh, that's me and Martell's song!"

The other girls in the office asked, "Aww, is Martell your boyfriend?"

I told them, "NO! He's my CAT."

(I got some weird looks at THAT, let me tell you!)

[Creative_Mess]

One thing i need to do more often is get away from design in general just for a day or two than come back to it. (I know my gf would be so happy i just said that lol) I have a problem of getting in a crazy zone where day becomes night than back to day. Maybe thats why as of late i havent been producing up to par designs. I know a few years back some of my best work was done throughout the course of time not 3 days straight in front of a screen. Music does help set a good tone for design! I often listen to Cherry Poppin Daddies ~ Zoot Suit Riot

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1146364&BAB=M

if youve never heard of them they are a modern type swing, very energetic and really makes you go!

[budafist]

I can't seem to get away from my computer very often. I'll definately ban myself over the xmas/new year break.

Cherry Poppin Daddies are good for dancing with your pets - as long as they don't mind a little jumping. I prefer something a tiny bit gentler or my bunny might get frightened. :D

[Samakimoto Graphics]

*Karibu*CM!