As with any job, if you don’t introduce new methods or experiment with alternate ways of working, your graphic design workflow can become monotonous and strenuous. How many times have you thought to yourself, “Man, you mean I have to create another typewall?” If you think it often, there’s no need to be ashamed. We’ve been there, believe you us! However, just because you’re feeling stuck in a rut does not mean there aren’t steps you can take to improve your outlook on your own career. Don’t believe us? We get it, but we’ve got the tips to prove it.

  1. Listen to Music: It may sound counterintuitive, but listening to music while you design can really help to focus your mind while relieving stress. Things like Pandora (USA only) and Spotify are brilliant ways to research and peruse new music, opening whole new avenues of exploration for your mind, even while you’re busy designing. Have a favorite album, something that instantly calms you down and helps you think? Great! Play it while you’re working on that next logo, and we promise you’ll find yourself enjoying the process more.
  2. Take the Ship Elsewhere: Do you work in the same spot everyday? What we mean is, do you have an home office, or even an office away from the house in which you spend most of your designing time? If so, one of the best things you can do to enjoy the designing process more is get out of that environment. We’re not kidding. Take the laptop and head to the nearest Starbucks. Once there, just soak in a bit of the atmosphere before diving into your work. Often, we develop associations with our scenery, and if you consistently experience a lot of stress within the confines of your office or home, you’ll repeat those feelings every time you sit down at the computer.
  3. Do the Dishes: This may seem unorthodox, but if you need to take a quick break, clean the house. You’ll find that improving the standing of your home is a great way to boost self-esteem, feel productive, and otherwise bring renewed energy back to the computer.