One of the most frustrating moments in the life of a creative professional (other than having to waiting hours for a file to render) is having a creative block. I describe this as the inability to access one's internal juice box.
Trust me when I say all creative professionals encounter these moments - whether you a writer, musician, performer, or an artist. We all experience these moments. Yes, I said we all because I have had my fair share of ups...moments when I go on and on scribbling ideas and creating amazing graphic designs, to the lows, when it seems I can't get any idea out.
Let me share my first experience. I have been designing professionally for the last 4 years. As I can remember, I was working on a logo design for a food brand. From the brief, the logo was to be vibrant with colors that are appealing.
After a few hours of brainstorming and scribbled sketches, I said to myself "let's get to work". I turned on my HP 250 series which was my slow old laptop. I launched CorelDraw and boom…. I started working. And one hour passed and I couldn't transmit my sketches and thoughts into reality. "Oh boy, what's going on?" I said to myself. Two hours more and I was still at the same spot with no progress whatsoever.
Stalled creativity, approaching a problem from a limiting premise. CTRL + K! That's me saying take a break. Get a distraction from the process at hand: take a walk, grab a coffee, watch a comedy skit, ...just do something to get your mind off the work. It helps a great deal.
"No one is waiting for you to write your first book. No one cares if you finish it. But after your first, if it goes well, everyone seems to be waiting." - Jeffrey Eugenides
Often than not a lot of creative blocks or drains are caused by the sheer pressure to impress. Now, don't get me wrong here, you have to impress your clients. But there has to a balance struck otherwise, the psychological pressure you subject yourself to can mar the result.
Now what are the causes of creative blocks or stalls? Sometimes, it is the anxiety/fear that the work or ideas will not be appreciated and this leads the creative person to sub-consciously hold back out of fear of projected rejection or failure. A fear of the unknown may also be a factor in the development of creative blocks. One might worry that a discussion of certain ideas, even through a media outlet, may have unforeseen circumstances and resist expressing these ideas.
Self-doubt, anxiety, loss of a loved one, perfectionism, a sudden loss of meaning and purpose, negative talk or criticism are also additional factors that can contribute or trigger creative blocks.
So the next time you are experiencing stalled creativity, remember just hit CTRL + K (Take a Break), and maybe (as the famous ad slogan goes) have a Kitkat in the process.
Thank me later...
Frank Aseghiemhe,
Graphic designer,
Media Range Limited.
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