Hew to Get Unstuck, Creatively Speaking

Inspiration
#1

I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am always amazed at what a little distance from a project will do for creativity. I have been working on a lockup for a ballot initiative (e.g. vote yes on 1, vote no on 2). I was completely stuck and feeling like all of my ideas were complete clichés. I had to put this job aside to work on a few hot items. I came back to the job this evening after not thinking about it for a few days, considered the job with a fresh perspective, and hammered out 5 solid options in less than a couple of hours. Maybe I’m the only one, but — time after time — I’ve proved to myself that I can’t force a good idea. If I’m stuck, the best thing to do is to set a job aside and come back to it.

What do you all do to get unstuck?

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#2

HI Steve !

There are many ways to get inspiration if you are stuck, what I do is specially to look for other’s designer’s works and make my own version (btw not copy or cloning like AI) but making my own version of a product or a design with improvements and not trying to make the same thing. Something new, different and unique.

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#3

I’ve always done much as you do: set it aside and try to forget about it for a day or two while working on something else. It’s surprising how a little space will help clear mental logjams.

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#4

I’ll probably be a bit controversial here…

I used to go for a walk with a notepad and sketch whatever was around me for inspiration. I don’t really do that anymore, actually never.

Then I switched to time googling designs to see how others approached things, then adapt what worked into my own version.

These days though, I don’t overthink it anymore. Clients usually hand me an email with some info and some photos/logos etc. Whatever I come up with is already a step up, so I just draft a couple of options, send them over, and let them pick. They’re involved, they know what’s coming, and they’re happy. I rarely have to redo anything, and if I do, I always have backup ideas in reserve.

I’ve stopped worrying about whether the design is “award-worthy” or not, I’ve actually told people that it’s not going to win design awards or anything like that. I just focus on getting it done in a way that works for the client. That shift in mindset means I don’t really get stuck anymore I can just push through and keep moving.

I’ve very rarely have anyone reject a design proposal. I had one impossible client before, fired them. They were awful, just told them I wouldn’t do any more work with them. They used to send over samples and text and images, and I’d work to the sample and send it back, then they’d say it looked exactly like what they sent, and I was like, that’s what you wanted… and they were like NOOOOOO! and then rant and shout down the phone. So then I’d do one as per the sample then one something different, then I’d get asked why there was 2 options, just follow the sample… but you didn’t want the sample… more ranting down the phone… so I just ended the relationship.

Who’s got time for that?

Actually that triggered a contract clause for me, they can get 3 design options, and they can pick, extra design options are at a fee. They can tweak a design but not a complete redo.

With 3 design options, they get to pick and are aware of what’s coming down the line, it involves them in the process without intruding on it.

If they’re good clients I’ll throw in extra designs free of charge if they’re not working.

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