Beating designer block

[Riefnu]

I KNOW everyone's had a block on what are they going to design. I want to think of a solution similar to the way a writer solves writers block.


I just have the skeletal idea without anything so I want to know if anyone would like to help me brainstorm on it.

Right now if I posted what I got it wouldn't amount to even a sentance....:o

[budafist]

Not even a crappy sentence?

Try thinking of the most wild unrelated concepts and then try and bring it back into focus.

Kinda like if you are having trouble taking a few steps, then do a dance that you know and the few steps will be easy to do after that.

[frankster]

Kinda like if you are having trouble taking a few steps, then do a dance that you know and the few steps will be easy to do after that.

You should totally get a job doing physiotherapy with paraplegics Buda! They'd love you. ;) :D

[budafist]

At least they can't hit me in frustration!

[frankster]

Lol!!!

[Riefnu]

I like that idea but the whole problem of a block is you cant think of ANY ideas and/or you can't decide how to get through an idea. I'm just wondering if there is any interest from others, because I'm probably going to need help.


I'm not real sure of where my idea will be going so I can't really post anything about it. I thought it up at 3 am, wrote down what I fuzzily was thinking.

[garricks]

Stop stalling and post your fuzzy, skeletal idea! :D

Or paste said fuzzy, skeletal idea into the Googe's search engine and see what images you get back. And post them for us.

Or go back to sleep and dream it all up again.

Late night and i'm in a silly mood. Just give us more to go on!!!

[Riefnu]

fine! And 10 30 pm is NOT late night! Sepcially since I was only just getting to sleep at 3 am when I thought up the idea....


Here's what I got. After building up on it for today. (and as I write this...mostly as I write this. It's been busy enough today..)


Okay this is the Idea generator part. For helping make ideas when you cant decide/think of what to do. The only way it works is you HAVE to follow what it said when you do it. You can't keep going and going until it suits you. Unless you think of a great idea half way through and can work on it......


First a list of all (err...Genres?) Of design. Everything that a designer well..designs. (which I'm not really sure of..) But have it fitted to what you do. (aka a print designer wouldn't have web design on their list) ((unless they wanted it))

Have that in a random selection process. I dunno what. I didn't think that far.


Then a selection of programs/medium that is going to be used. Anywhere from 1 to as many as possible. Course it will ALSO be random. (Meaning you might get Adobe illustrator and...Newsprint; for example if you did this part twice)


Then another random list of all the various styles you could do it in. (which I also have no clue to what all of them are)

Then a Time part which starts with first either Short time frame or Long time frame. Then two seperate random selections. One for short, one for long. With various times that could be picked. (Like short could be 5 minutes to 2 hours. While long could be a day to anytime.)






As for progressing a stalled Idea i'm a little sunk..I'm trying to think what would be able to be applied easily to the greater number of ideas.

Edit for this part ^: I'm getting vauge ghosty ideas having to do with big selections. They are turning into monsters as I type..Must get mental shotgun.....


Second edit: Has anyone ever googled "Designer's Block"? The fourth entry is about what I'm talking about..and then that's almost it..

[Riefnu]

well good to see that once I posted my idea I got so MANY great responses...../sarcasm



Still I guess it's an answer.

[garricks]

10 30 pm is NOT late night!It is for me when I get up at 4 a.m. :)
I'm glad you got all that down. I'll read it when I get home from work and get back to you! :D

[Broacher]

^ I'll smoke what he's smoking.

Riefnu, what the fug are you talking about here? Is this a product? A web site concept? Some kind of auto-creat-amatic, a game?

Or are you just looking for some metaphor ideas for 'blocked mental ducts?

And pass it around bro!

[Riefnu]

^ did you read all the other posts? I'm trying to make a tool for beating designers block. I thought about how writers beat writers block and I remembered an interesting way someone did of filling a huge sheet with with tiny drawings. Each one different in slight or significant ways. Then making some strange random system for it. Basically they had to write based on what they got at the end of the system.


I think it was a web comic writers system for making scripts.:D


Anyway it got me thinking about how to beat Designer's block, and get creativity flowing again. I got part of the idea generator down. Though i'm still trying to figure out how to get something for how to unblock a work in progress.


If you noticed I said this was a "skeletal" idea only. I havn't developed it very far yet. I'm just wondering if anyone here has any interest in it, and any helpful things to add.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Do you mean something like I posted here?


http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37585

[Broacher]

Sounds like you're trying to create a new type of designer drug. I'm not so sure the world needs another laxative though.

It also sounds pretty close to mindmapping. Here's a product I often use that's worth checking out for developing a 'concept-generator': Personal Brain. Pretty innovative product, just wish it was more geared towards images over text. Freemind is also a terrific and free mindmapper.

Oops. Gotta go. Packing day.

[Riefnu]

@RKK Not quite, but I like that site!

The idea generator part is more of "I can't decide what to do/howtodo/wanttodo" It removes most of that. Which I think is a source of a lot of designer block. I'm open to more opinions on that matter though.

I'm thinking for "work in progress" trying to gimmick the generator "pieces" into fitting what you already have. Then using the rest to randomly direct where to take it out of the block.


I'm going to by trying to get a trival version of flash to see if i can make this into a computer based tool.


edit : @ broacher That writer's tool looks like the end product of the one I was talking about. As for a design "laxative" while I disagree with the metaphor (sounds like you want something that makes crap) I suppose it sort of works.

It is true that this would be "releasing" a lot of stuff that might not be up to par. On that same note. What (good)graphic designer would sell stuff that wasn't any good? This is more intended to get something creative out of you, so that you will have a rolling start to create OTHER things.

[Yossarian]

Here's a product I often use that's worth checking out for developing a 'concept-generator': Personal Brain. Pretty innovative product, just wish it was more geared towards images over text. Freemind is also a terrific and free mindmapper.


Heh. That sounded a lot like you were just being an ass until I realized that's software you're talking about.

[Broacher]

When it comes right down to it, a cup of tea, no distractions (the hardest part), a thick ol' marker or pencil, and a sketchpad is pretty damn hard to beat for purely unadulterated creative potentializing.

[frankster]

I have a roll of butcher's block paper that I got from Costco for $30. It's lasted forever, even with my kids using it too. I think it had more than a thousand feet of paper on it. I tape up a stretch of it on the wall and mind map/conceptualise on that in fits and spurts and inbetween doing other things and on my way from one room to another etc.

Once I get a concept that I want to refine then I usually use a skratch pad rather than a sketchbook. They are really cheap, about 6 by 4 inches, so the right size for the scale I work on logos and the paper is thin enough that you can trace elements that you like from the previous sheet easily.

I have a magnetic fridge notepad stuck on the hood of the stove/extractor fan too, because I often have ideas when I am cooking the evening meal and can't leave the stove easily to scribble things down.

[Tea]

When it comes right down to it, a cup of tea, no distractions (the hardest part), a thick ol' marker or pencil, and a sketchpad is pretty damn hard to beat for purely unadulterated creative potentializing.


I don't fit well in a cup.

[Riefnu]

^ you sure? :D

http://www.tranism.com/weblog/images/giant_teacup_02-1.jpg



Anyway. Mind mapping is a great way to do any project. But if you mind map constantly for 40 years you still have to pick something to design, and the details of how.:D

This is like a creator for random design challenge. From what I got so far say you got "business card" that you need to make in "Illustrator" and do it as "grunge" and you have "Short time frame: 30 minutes" to do as much as you can.


It doesn't make the design for you. Its like a start and an end goal maker. You have a starting point, you have a ending, you have these tools to get from A to B. Innovate and create.

Edit: maybe I should make a A.I. client part "can you make this flashier?" "can you make that bigger? " "Can you make this better?"......just kidding. :D

[tuliptree]

Reifnu, is this for just you to use or for anyone? If its for everyone else, there isn't one way to unblock. Everyone has their own methods. I'd rely on myself to get unstuck rather than using software. Or maybe I'm missing your gist all together?

If it's for you, it's really cool that you are thinking about this so much, and working through this may be just your way of working through a block without you even knowing it. Either way thouigh, keep at it, it's pretty fascinating.

Broacher, can you pass that over here now?

[Riefnu]

I definately want to try it on myself. My biggest problem with EVERYTHING is never deciding on how to do things. I got a lot of things i WANT to do. I'm just horrible at getting down to deciding what to do.

I would be making this open for the public to use as they want though. While I understand that not everyone is the same or even similar often times. Using that as an excuse NOT to provide help in some way means there are less and less sources of help for people to choose from.

It's also why I'm asking the forum for their opinions and, eventually, help in creating the details of the idea. If I do try and make this into flash I'll certainly include some of the tips about mind mapping, and other practices, that work for other people. Right now I'm more focused on developing the idea I had before branching off it. Plus I've been having a design block lately. I know I have. Which means I can design this, and maybe break out of the design block! It doesn't look like i'll be finding employment this summer before uni. starts again.


Side note: adobe doesn't have any trials of anything until july 1st.:( How am I supposed to try a trial version of flash without the trial version.

[tuliptree]

Well, I'd say, listen to yourself then. What do you think would help you? Go on that and you'll end up with something that you can use, and those who think the same way or need the same type of unblock tool will benefit from it, too.

I don't know if I am projecting or not here, but your thought process on this reminds me a bit of myself. When I ever have some sort of creativity block, I move on to something entirely different and hash it out. Sort of like needing to clean the office or the house or whatever before working on a project. I did that in college all the time. Everytime a project was due, suddenly my room was sparkling because I was indecicive about what I wanted to do, and then I'd find myself up at 5am painting and it just coming out of me with no thoughts to hold me back. You sound like you're building up for a big creative purge!

[Broacher]

Years... okay, decades ago, when I was first out of art school, I had amassed a file cabinet full of reference photos and drawings that I used in my freelance illustration business. But the problem that surfaced for me (remember, this is back when a 1 meg RAM computer was hot stuff) was developing a taxonomy for the system that I could use. I had concepts, drawing/painting styles, symbols, literal, manmade/natural.... well-- it went on and on. And the big thing was that almost EVERYTHING I had would work in three or four categories at the same time. Cross indexing was a huge task, and very frustrating. I used to wonder if computers would ever be powerful enough to handle a large visual image database like the one I had in mind-- and one that would be quick, keyword based...

FF twenty-five years. When I see the power of image and info access today available at everyone's fingertip it really puzzles me to imagine how ANYONE can possibly claim an inspirational block. But-- maybe it's just that we've gone too far the other way. We're so saturated in images and media, we just can't get through all that visual 'fat' to the connective tissue like we need to. And there's a whole expediency now involved in the process that seems to permeate the creative. In my education (before computers) we were told to expect illustration project schedules that would average about two or three weeks with time for research, and concept/rough development. Design wasn't that much different. But all that has changed with the technology. People do and will get results now in days, not weeks. We crank out many times the volume of work too. But on the average are the results any better? Are they worse?

I don't know, but I do know that the best stuff out there still usually comes out of a more 'human' creative timetable than the bulk of other things. The middle quality work has expanded, but the high end stuff-- take away the bell and whistle shows--it still needs time to develop properly.

Where am I going with this? Upstairs to get another beer. Man it's hot and sticky tonight.

[Riefnu]

@tulip I am listening to myself. But that doesn't mean I cant send out my idea for bouncing it off other people. So far I'm spending more time explaining what it is though.:rolleyes:

@broacher I havn't made anything ANYTHING on computer/paper/canvas/ etc for MONTHS. except a doodle I did when I was supposed to be paying attention to something. I'll be getting around posting that in the doodle's thread one of these days. :D

[frankster]

I think the problem is that you confused people by calling it a concept generator. What you're actually talking about seems to be a project breif generator? Or am I still not understanding you?

[Riefnu]

@ frankster. Maybe but the title is "beating design block". And I also fequently try to remind everyone that this is NOT a fully developed idea yet. Its still 'in the works' so to speak. The idea generator part is what i've got developed most though.

Based on the same theory for solving writers block. Give a writer a idea to work from, and it has the potential to UNblock their writing creativity. Same prinicple only now its graphic design.



My main problem with it right now is I need to work out some way to help a block that forms in the middle of a project or at a deadline that is coming up. Thats getting to be a little trickier than I first though it might. Also I still have to do job searching. So this is like third on my list of important things to do. Daily chores/job search/designer block tool.

edit: fixed a typo.

[PanToshi]

No offense, but "designers block" is a factor of inexperience IMHO. Design is communicating an idea to an audience, while taking into account all the factors that may enhance or detract from it. Experience only comes with practice and more practice, followed by a little more practice.

I personally think that this type of mind-mapping tool is more restricting to the creative process than freeing or un-blocking.

However, as many here have said, "To each his own." What doesn't work for me, may very well work for you and for others.

[Riefnu]

^ I got into graphic design as a college student three years ago. Before that I didn't do any design, and I was heavily interested in science. Does that qualify as inexperience?:D

It could be that I might be morphing this into a tool for practicing design rather than freeing design. The fact that I just got a "block" on how to resolve blocks that happen during a project seems to point at that fact.

I do appreciate the feed back though! I'd say that the feel of restriction is correct. This is removing several major parts of the process and turning them into random chance. I've learned the reason I get blocks is because I just splurge out in all directions and end up getting no where fast. This is kind of a direction maker. "Move in this direction. You have these tools, and you need to do that type of project in this much time." I've almost created the school teacher I don't have at school.


@ everyone I am open to any opinions you all might have about this idea too. My original post said so! I'm looking for feedback on what I have. Like it? don't like it? Interesting? Boring? Useful? Useless? Not enough info yet to decide?

Tell me please! I wouldn't have posted it if I didn't want to discuss it.

[PanToshi]

^ I got into graphic design as a college student three years ago. Before that I didn't do any design, and I was heavily interested in science. Does that qualify as inexperience?:D
yes.:D
I've learned the reason I get blocks is because I just splurge out in all directions and end up getting no where fast. This is kind of a direction maker. "Move in this direction. You have these tools, and you need to do that type of project in this much time." I've almost created the school teacher I don't have at school.
I think that at uni-level, students are expected to organize and motivate themselves. You have to learn how to self-direct; how to self-evaluate—the project, the design, the audience, etc. In time this creative process becomes second-nature. It is then called Experience. IMHO.
It could be that I might be morphing this into a tool for practicing design rather than freeing design.
Is it some kind of "practice brief" generator? I think there are practice briefs available online. In fact, look at things as you are walking around your world. Do you see designs that you would "re-do" your way?

[Riefnu]

I think that at uni-level, students are expected to organize and motivate themselves. You have to learn how to self-direct; how to self-evaluate—the project, the design, the audience, etc. In time this creative process becomes second-nature. It is then called Experience. IMHO.


The "design" teacher at my uni was a Ceramics art teacher that knew enough to fit the job. Her style of teaching was to constantly change how she gave an assignment. Sometimes every day would be a new set of rules different than whatshe said yesterday.

I didn't really get along with that since I've been trying hard to learn to focus my efforts instead of spread out. My last class with her was the most annoying for one reason.

Beginning of semester: list your goal.

My goal: become less fractured in my creativity and create more "finished" works than just dead ends.

What she sprung on me during my final evaluation two days before semester end.

"Nono you're not supposed to have finished anything! I want all your ideas! you have to few ideas. This will be a big problem in the future."

My response

"I'll give you pages of ideas by tomorrow morning."

This ofcourse she doubted.


Long story short (too late?:p ) I came back in with 8 new pages of thumbnail ideas. 6 pages of new full page ideas. plus all the notes, jots, scribbles, doodles, and what have you I didn't bring from my work over the year.







She said I "didn't follow my goal" too.