Kick starting your creative juices.

Getting your creativity flowing and avoiding the dreaded "designer's block" can sometimes be tricky when working on a project. By being prepared and/or knowing your way around this can be the catalyst for a great design. The following are a few useful ideas I like to apply when the situation calls for it.

Carry a sketchbook.

Ideas can come at any time. Carrying a sketchbook will allow you to quickly jot down your ideas for reference later. An absolute must for a designer.

photo by: vidalia_11

Unlikely places.

One can find a lot of inspiration and ideas by simply walking around, visiting parks, stores, museums. Carry a camera or use a mobile phone to document what you see.

Other creative disciplines.

Looking at other creative disciplines can be a great resource for inspiration and creativity. Photography, video, interior design, fashion to name a few.

photo by: fubiz

Set constraints.

If a design task is too open ended, often one will fall back on something done before. Setting constraints can be a great way of forcing yourself to come up with a new approach.

Fun work area.

Working in a drab office cubicle is not a great way to get inspired. By adding some life to your work area, it can do wonders in creating a more suitable environment for creative thinking.

photo by: jdsmith1021

New surrounding.

If your work area is feeling stifling, moving to a different location (example as a different office, conference room, or coffee shop) can spark your creativity.

photo by: carbonnyc

Personal time.

If you are swamped with design tasks, creativity can often suffer as well. Getting burned out is a surefire way of getting design block. Taking some personal time allows you to reset your mind and start new.

Music.

Music is a great way to feel inspired. I often think of a design project as needing an accompanying soundtrack. The choice of music can very often dictate the design.

photo by: walkernelson

Experiment.

While a client project often does not allow time for experimentation, taking some personal/free time to try new things in a risk free environment can also lead to great ideas.

Fresh perspective.

Sometimes you can sit in front of the screen and struggle for ideas or not like what you have. Move on to something else in the meantime or sleep on it. When you come back you will have a fresh perspective.

photo by: carbonnyc

These are just but a handful of ideas. Each person works differently and have most likely developed their own list of ways to get inspired. What are some of yours?