Lacking Creativity..

ecntrc · 01-26-2007

I seriously want to punch a wall. I cannot put it back farther anymore. I want the creativity I once had back. Instead I sit here dumbfounded trying to create a clients site. I made 2 layouts so far just for show and she can pick or whatever. But the second one made me realize that wow theres no actual graphical design there. what the hell? The drive I had where did it go?

has anyone gone through something like this? did it just come back or what? opinions.. suggestions.. unless im having a long brain fart.. i hate it.

shaunes001 · 01-26-2007

I have! However, surfing the net and tying in random stuff in google isnt always a time-wasting idea. Also looking through tutorials for the hell of it they can refresh your memory and remind you why you started using photoshop in the first place. Even looking at the very basic stuff could perk your interest!

Oh and theres a huge gallery on this very site to get ideas and inspiration from

just browse random pics, it works!

What kind of ideas do you have so far? And is there any theme its suppose to follow?

Maybe we can all chip in out ideas

**tamlin** · 01-26-2007

I think most "creative" people go through a "dry spell" now and again - I certainly know I have! The best thing to do is to take a break - do something completely different for a while (go to the movies, read a book, watch some TV, play some computer games, cook a fancy meal...) and don't even think about the creative stuff. Eventually, when you go back to it you'll see everything with a fresh eye.

I know this is difficult if you're making a living from your creativity, but sometimes you need to do it just to stay sane.

Dinozaver · 01-26-2007

Its a good thing to look some other pages i always check out few pages i booked, for inspiration :P

CoolHomepages Web Design Gallery - Web Page Design Gallery, Links, Flash Designs. Browse Cool Website Templates,Resources and Examples To Get Inspired

I hope this get u back into buisness

osteam · 01-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunes001

I have! However, surfing the net and tying in random stuff in google isnt always a time-wasting idea. Also looking through tutorials for the hell of it they can refresh your memory and remind you why you started using photoshop in the first place. Even looking at the very basic stuff could perk your interest!

that is great advice, i am also surfing the net when i have no idea. tell us about is the web, maybe we can help you. dont be @ comp all the times go out. walk, see, feel. maybe you see something that you can use.

paulopires · 01-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamlin

The best thing to do is to take a break - do something completely different for a while (go to the movies, read a book, watch some TV, play some computer games, cook a fancy meal...) and don't even think about the creative stuff. Eventually, when you go back to it you'll see everything with a fresh eye.

This wise advice works 100%. (For me at least).

stiney51 · 01-26-2007

Definitely take a break from things. If you on a time crunch, sometimes you have to force your way through it, but for me, surfing around the web ends up being small part-inspiration and large part-"I don't have the drive to do this right now so I'm wasting time"

Give yourself a day or a few hours at least and don't look or think about it. Your design will be that much better in the long run for it.

Tony_photoplus · 01-26-2007

Seems these days my creativity has dried up completely especially when I see the fantastic images created on this site. In my case inspiration is dulled by too many pain killers I think, deadens and numbs the mind.

Tony_photoplus

Darkie · 01-26-2007

Omg yes I do I go through that alot at school it makes me so mad. But before I kill my computer I decide to take a break away from it and wait till it comes back.

*notjustgraphics* · 01-26-2007

We are all likely suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder...

Go ahead.. G**gle it... you know you wanna...

Anyway, apparently when we go through our little winter spell, our moods, activity levels, and our creativity suffer...

Don't worry... Pshycologists say we restore to our usual selves in early spring...

Mike.

class_act · 01-26-2007

What I usually do when I get bogged down is to get myself outside and do something physical. Take a walk, breath some fresh air and try to enjoy it. Clear your head. On a long term fix....take a vacation, get away from it for a awhile. THAT always works if you can do it. In other words GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER.

kos · 01-26-2007

I have gone through a few stagnant periods where i seem to be drawing the same character from in the same pose or can't get my brain to get past a certain image that it wants that i don't necessarily want. It's tough starring at a blank screen or even a minimal design that a person has begun and just hate it through and through. It's gonna sound silly but i often get my best ideas just before i go to sleep or right when i wake up.. usually if i am having a problem or am stumped i lay down and just try to clear my mind and think of other things.. anything else but the design and usually because the back of my brain is freaking out about it other things i think about suddenly start applying to a design idea. I have found that simplicity is the keystone to good design.. that doesn't mean it can't get crazy but just begin with simple interesting shapes and composition, think about the elements.. fire, water, etc.. and their properties not the cut and dry actual water drops or flame tips or anything more just how these elements effect things in nature and how i can subtle simulate those effects into my design to create movement and what not.

I know it sucks and you probably are still having trouble.. but it's probably because you don't really care about what you are doing or are bored with what you are doing.. take the others advise and surf the web.. go to freelance or template sites and look at the designs that others are coming up with and your competitive blood will begin to pump and ideas will flow like never before!! Hope this could help a bit..

arb · 01-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by class_act

What I usually do when I get bogged down is to get myself outside and do something physical. Take a walk, breath some fresh air and try to enjoy it. Clear your head. On a long term fix....take a vacation, get away from it for a awhile. THAT always works if you can do it. In other words GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER.

That's the way that works for me. When I get a headache before sleeping, I know it's time not spending time behind the computer in my own time for at least 10 days.

class_act · 01-26-2007

I agree with arb and kos. A good night sleep, and knowing when your energy level is at its best is when to do things that are difficult, or things that take alot of time and concentration. Tackle your designing work at that time.

If you are working with a design that you don't like or colors that do nothing for you, that itself is diffucult to deal with. But the customer is always right even when they're wrong. Bottom line is they have to be happy or you won't see them again. (sometime thats not so bad!)

Tony_photoplus · 01-27-2007

Reading the posts here, I just love the honesty you have revealed.

Tony