Being a graphic designer requires a great deal of creativity – and it doesn’t always come easily. With looming deadlines, you can’t always wait until you’re “feeling it.” Sometimes it’s necessary to kickstart your creativity. The 5 tips below will help you to focus, stay productive, and be creative!

 

 

Avoid Distractions

Sometimes being able to focus and feel creative is as simple as avoiding distractions. Turn off the tv, unplug the phone, quit your email application and set your Skype status to “busy.” Constant interruptions can put a halt to your progress and stifle your creativity.

Get Plenty of Sleep

As freelancers, we have the liberty of setting and working whatever hours we choose. But, as any freelancer knows, we often end up working late into the night (or even ALL night!) and all weekend, cutting into our much needed sleep. Figure out how much sleep your body – and your mind – need to function and the creativity will come more naturally.

Don’t Get Burned Out

Try getting projects that offer a bit of variety. Doing the same thing day in and day out is not only unexciting and dreadful, it also doesn’t allow you to exercise your creative brain in the way that variety will. And, don’t forget to grant yourself some personal time. If you spend all of your time working, and no time playing, it’ll be harder to be creative when you need to.

Eliminate Stress

Stress can not only be detrimental to your health, it can destroy your creativity. Financial worries, pressing deadlines, pressure from clients and jobs, and worry are all creativity killers. Eliminating, or at least minimizing, stress whenever possible will only make it easier to be creative.

Improve Your Mood

Sometimes being creative comes naturally with being in a good mood. If you’re feeling stuck on a project, take a break. Go for a walk, listen to your favorite music, take a power nap, play with the kids or the dog – take 5, 10, or even 30 minutes to do something you enjoy and then give it another go, in a better mood.

We all have different work habits and styles, and what works for some may not work for others – some may find themselves more creative when multi-tasking, while others may need complete focus on one job at a time, but trying a tip or two from above when you’re feeling creatively challenged can be just the kickstart you need!