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December 18, 2006

Ideas Like Water

I recently had the privilege of flying to Chicago. What an amazing city. I felt like a fish out of water. Actually, more like a fish out of a small pond, into a gigantic ocean. Lots of room to wiggle, and lots more room to feel intimidated. It was all exciting and inspiring. What did I do wrong? I didn't bring a sketchpad.

Waves of ideas poured over me at given moments in Chicago. Looking at old and new architecture forced together by property ownership inspired me. Walking down Michigan Avenue watching people's interaction inspired me. Looking out beyond the shoreline of Lake Michigan (from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building) was inspiring.

I get spirts of creativity. The faucet is not always fully opened. In fact I'll be the first to admit I have a hard time turning the flow on. It's almost something I can't control. I've read a few books on creative thinking that have helped me open the valve a bit (De Bono), but I don't think it's something I can ever control at will.

Creativity feels like a pressure valve that is uncontrollable. It works on its own. My only job is to be ready for it. I wasn't ready for it in Chicago. Heck, reading a book on simplicity in design on the flight up inspired me to write up something on Everomp. The inspiration passed. I hope it returns one day.

The worst feeling in the world as a creative is knowing you've missed an opportunity while the iron was hot. You can feel it. When that idea hits all you want to do is see it through. You want that tiny, powerful seed in your mind to burst. Albeit, kind of hard to accomplish while walking down Michigan Avenue.

So what triggers my the faucet? Personally, I've made a conscious effort to understand what triggers my mind to shift to a new idea. Ironically the more I focus on what triggers the creative bug, the less likely I'll know when it hits. This much I know, though:

Environment seems to be the biggest factor. Any kind of travel to new places triggers all sorts of bangs and bursts. The simple act of seeing brand new things brings about all new ideas. Sometimes my best bet is to simply use the eyes to see new things. It doesn't have to happen a thousand miles away. I've literally moved myself away from the computer (highly recommended) and taken a long walk in a new direction. If anything, it clears the mind of petty things (like deadlines, hah).

Break from the mediocrity works, too. Walking away from a project for a short time helps my mind focus on new directions. Kind of like driving a car, sometimes all it takes is to get off one street to find another. Getting off that street can come in any form really, from reading to literally sitting still at the other end of the room. Yeah, creativity is weird. Don't mind us.

Reading just about anything worthwhile can be inspirational. Obviously, sticking your nose into a good design book is sheer gratification. However, I've found removing yourself from design altogether helps. Read about politics, art, humor, business, everything. The more you open yourself up to different subject matters, the better.

Exercise. Yes. I said it. I've stated before I'm a gym rat. Well there are a few unique reasons behind this. One of the reasons is giving my brain a rest altogether. Sometimes not thinking at all leads to my best thoughts. Did I just blow your mind? Whether you like running a block in the morning, or squatting 300 pounds at night, I find any kind of exercise is good for the mind (and body).

Other forms of art help my inspiration. Luckily I brought a camera to Chicago. While I could have taken hundreds more snapshots, I'm happy I even took a dozen. Personally, I enjoy taking photography. Why? It's not design, but it's in the same vein as art. It's all creative thinking in the end, just different ways of expressing it.

It's different for everybody. I know a designer that pumps out some amazing stuff in front of a computer all day long, but at the end of the day he removes himself completely from his job (designing). I know somebody else that literally wastes the day browsing the Internet, then finds that one great idea halfway through the night. The beauty of being creative is it's not science and there are no set rules and schedules to it. We're all flying by the seats of our pants.

Now, a word of advice for myself: Blake, for the love of God, please carry around a notebook and pencil to write a few ideas down for a change.

Clamoring

Naz Hamid said:

Years ago, I found other sites, design, etc to be inspiration enough to fuel my own. Over the years, I've found that I'm not interested in what other people are doing to influence my own work -- I just want to design as it comes naturally.

You make great points -- outside influences, stepping away from the computer and so on.

As for missing the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot, well, I started to train myself a while ago to mentally remember these ideas and things. It's hard to, but once hardwired, very useful. You won't always have a notebook with you or some place to jot down info so why not use the best memory you have? Your own.

Blake said:

Well I'll admit your last site design was a huge inspiration on the first incarnation of this version of Everomp. It since went the way of the highway...I felt it was too close to plagerism. Yet "inspiration" was definitely garnered, so thanks! Now you're rocking the magenta!






    
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