Harness your Creativity

One of the most difficult things about what we do as graphic designers, artists and photographers is keeping the creativity keen. As we grow older we seem to lose the ability to tap into our creativity. I feel the older I become the harder it is to just blurt out what I'm thinking. I second guess myself on a much more regular basis and I have learned I'm not invincible. All three of these ideals are detrimental to creativity. Now that I have realized this about the process, how can we fix it? How do you grow older and maintain the creativity. 

Through out the past few years I have come across many ways to focus on my creativity. Some of them work very well and some only work in certain circumstances. I'm going to discuss three of my favorites.

1. Limit your resources
Growing up I always drew pictures, but I rairly waisted my time coloring them in. I always felt i would damage the art piece I had spent so long on. So when It became appearent I was going to have to learn color theory I froze in a slight fear of the fact I knew so little. My "creativity" wanted me to use every color I had at my disposal and this left me overwhelmed. So to solve that problem I told myself I would use two colors. This limit I set on myself set me free. My decisions were set for me. Which I then only had to worry about the lightness or darkness of that said color. It's a trick u use very regularly to fee my mind to think creatively.

2. Switching mediums
On many occasions I have found myself staring at a blank sheet of paper with no idea what was going to come of it. This is a bad place to be, afraid of your blank paper. I was told on multiple occasions to switch the medium. When you switch your pencil to a crayon you have immediate change. The line you are creating is remarkably different from the one you made previously and as a result your mind thinks different.

3. Warm up
While working on important tasks it is easy to become overwhelmed with the idea that your project has to be perfect. When my head is in this space I tend to only focus on my mistakes. This negative focus relays directly to my work.

The way to get around this, I have found it best to just start doodling. Don't look at this as your finished piece but rather create something awful. Create something you know is just for fun. When you start your art off positively you might be surprised with something brilliant.

In order to harness your creativity try to loosen up. Don't let the pressure control your projects. If your confused on where to start, take variables away until the confusion goes away. Simplifying your work frees your mind to focus on Creating... which is what your doing. 

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 my last post on consistency is followed by a post two weeks later.  Which is inconsistent with my weekly commitment. 
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