Creative Battery Dead

[CamarotaDesign]

You guys ever go through a period of time where your creativity is just shot? And I don't mean like 2 or 3 days, I'm talking a 2 week slump where it is really hard to come up with an idea and any idea you do come up with sucks.

Is this normal? I sorta went through this phase back in October, but it didn't seem this bad, For the last week, aside from the cookie cutter stuff, I have literally only come up with a few pieces of design that would have taken me less than a day if I had all my juice.

Maybe I need a vacation? The most time I've had off in the last year has been about 3 days. Maybe I need a week long type vacation. I dunno, this sucks.

[frankster]

Maybe I need a vacation? The most time I've had off in the last year has been about 3 days. Maybe I need a week long type vacation. I dunno, this sucks.

there's your problem right there!

Edit: This never seemed obvious to me either, until I had kids and saw that when we took a vacation, whether it was a long weekend or a jaunt to family in the UK, they would have so much new and exciting stuff happening to them that thier abilities and understanding would increase dramatically in that short time. I seem to operate in the same way it seems. The most creatively productive I have ever been, i think, was in the months following a 4 week trip diving and travelling in Australia.

[morea]

hang in there... I really do think we all go through this.

Have you read my blog on How to be Creative (http://morealyera.blogspot.com/2005/01/how-to-be-creative.html)? :D

[urstwile]

I can completely relate Camarota, and I agree as well with your and Frankster's assessment that you might need a vacation.

I've read Morea's blog link, I'd highly recommend it.

Don't worry, you'll snap out of it.

[jessicam]

I posted about this recently and got alot of great responses ... here's the thread. (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25571)

I still feel a little stuck, but I've been trying lots of things and it is getting better. I've been quilting with techniques I've never used before, I got out my son's "how to draw" books and I've been drawing Nintendo characters a lot, coloring with crayons, flipping through art books.

My recent change in scenery is probably helping the most. I agree with the above posters, a vacation would be a really good idea.

[urstwile]

Another thought, at least this is working for me, is to do some projects that have absolutely nothing to do with your job.

In my case, I have a few projects coming up that I'm doing as part of my involvement with a couple of local Burning Man groups. I've got two websites to design (and build), as well as some possible t-shirt designs and maybe a couple of props for a play to help create, and it's really charging me up because it'll totally be stuff that I can "play" with, rather than be constrained by client graphic standards, etc. which I am at my job.

Or maybe take your vacation at Burning Man, I've heard it's all about creativity and building a temporary community. I've never been, but I'd like to go this year if at all possible. :)

[Lampshade]

I find when I start to get into a slump I will just get up and go somewhere for a few days by myself. I am very introverted so being out on my own clears my mind and helps me alot.

[budafist]

I'm in a bit of a rut on one job right now. It's because it's for yet another freelance real estate person. I really should keep all my concept sketches. That way I can just recycle them for the next freelance real estate person!

[CamarotaDesign]

Thanks guys, yeah, I think this weekend helped. Still not 100% but getting better. Thanks for your insight, definately helped.

Urst - I have thought about going to burning man before. The whole art and creative aspect is what would get me going. But the drug culture and total weirdness of it all puts me off. Eventually I'll make my way to it though.

[Broacher]

I always find it amusing when they send the senior execs can take a week off in some 5 star resort, or be put on a month's sabattical to recharge their 'strategic' and management muscles, while the creative 'staff' are simply asked to take less overtime.

CALVIN: "Creativity isn't something you can turn off and on like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood."
HOBBES: "What mood is that?"
CALVIN: "Last minute panic."

[Jackimalyn]

So much of a designers style and ideas come from their imagination. (duh...) and our imagination is influenced by everything around us and when we have the same monotonous routine for three years we get no new experiences, no new influences. Take a vacation!! itll be good for your work.

My advice at least...

[urstwile]

Urst - I have thought about going to burning man before. The whole art and creative aspect is what would get me going. But the drug culture and total weirdness of it all puts me off. Eventually I'll make my way to it though.
Chances are strong we'll be going to it this year. I hear ya on the drug culture thing, I'm not into that myself, but it's been my experience with a couple of the smaller burner events I've been to that it's a take it or leave it kind of thing, absolutely no pressure if you're not so inclined. I'll let you know how it goes if we do end up going. It would be our first time as well.

[CatintheHat1]

I go through it about twice a year and it's lasted up to a month. Even if you don't get a real vacation, I find changing my routine for a week works wonders, read a book, go to movies, visit friends or family and "poof" the magic returns out of nowhere.