How I fight creative block

This list is far from exhaustive, but here are some practical guidelines I use to keep my day-to-day creative process in check.

Change it up.

One of the best things I can do for myself when facing a creative block is to change something about my current circumstances. The harder you think about “being creative”, the further you get from a novel solution to your problem.

Get out of your chair, doing some jumping jacks, change your desktop, or make a cup of coffee. Do something quick and non-design related to get a new outlook on your project. Then return to it and start again.

Give yourself a deadline.

There’s no minute like the last minute.. Setting internal deadlines is a great way to keep a creative project on pace and in check instead of getting overwhelmed with the entire thing.

Draw out your ideas.

Coming up with ideas in the computer – as good as our tools are – is still inefficient. Especially if you’re feeling like you’re stuck creatively, get away from the computer and get acquainted with your old pals -  pen and paper.

Make a slap comp

Don’t box yourself into a concept thatwill kill you in the end. Gareth Edwards’ workflow on Atilla the Hun is a fantastic example of how slapping together shots for previz can save you in the end.

Restrict yourself from using your standard tricks.

When we’re under pressure we revert to our defaults. If you use the same solution to get out of all your problems, everything starts looking the same and nobody is really happy.

Here’s a classic example: Instead of finding a real solution to a problem we do what worked last time – and pretty soon all of our projects have a vignetted background, crushed blacks, and trapcode shine on the titles. Please, don’t let yourself become that guy.

Force yourself to use a specific effect

You might think the built-in vegas effect is the most hideous thing in the world. Challenge yourself to find a way to make it look cool in your next creative pitch. Using a new crayon from time to time helps you remember the joy of coloring.

Show your idea to another designer

Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Typically, my best work comes from asking another designer to critique my designs. Secretly, I’ asking them to tell me what I already know but I hope they won’t notice. Once I make the changes, I’m much more satisfied with the project – and so are they. We all need a nudge to do our best sometimes.

Remember your audience.

David Ogilvy said it best, “If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative.” Your audience doesn’t care if you used a $1000 plug-in to make your shot, or if you used a preset that shipped with your app. Ultimately, all they care about is if it communicates effectively and moves them to response.

So don’t let your artistic pride get in the way of the end goal: connecting with your audience. And sometimes that means letting go of the really “creative” ideas so that the project is actually “creative.”

Get off the internet.

Finally, if all else fails, start the list again. Avoiding your problems by hoping on the internet for a “creative jolt” rarely works. I have yet to see a friends twitpic of  his lunch inspire my next great animation.