New year, new me.
Or for me, as a graphic designer, new year, new designs.
Just like writers, sometimes we get a major creativity block.
It’s hard to be creativity 24/7, especially when your job depends on it.
Sometimes the ideas will just come to you out of the blue, and other times, it comes down to discipline and trial + error.
Today we’re going to go over 5 different ways you can boost your creativity and thrive as a graphic designer in 2020.
So let’s get right into the nitty-gritty of it, shall we?
1. Read Loads of Design Blogs
From Dribbble to Behance, and back to Dribbble, you need to be on these websites daily.
The internet has so much to offer us. From people who love to design using flat-design, to incredible 3D art, you’ll find just the thing you’re looking for.
Just scrolling through these design websites will surely inspire you and you’re bound to find designs that you admire and would like to recreate with your own twist and style.
It’s like being on the Instagram of Design. And speaking of Instagram…
2. Follow People and Designers Who Inspire You
You don’t have to be on a designated graphic design website to find your inspiration and creativity.
Social media platforms are a great place for you to find that spark of creativity that you’re desperately looking for.
Search for design trends and styles via hashtags and find people who just simply inspire you.
Follow people who have different styles than you.
If you always keep yourself limited to the style that you’re comfortable with, you risk not growing any further than you’ve come.
Follow hundreds of designers, and over time, find out who are some of your favorite designers and unfollow the rest.
Great websites and apps to use would include Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and more.
3. A Design a Day Keeps Creativity at Bay
You’ve heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”.
Well people, I’m taking it one step further and tweaking this little saying to, “A design a day keeps creativity at bay.”
Practice makes perfect.
And that doesn’t exclude designing.
Even if you don’t have a lick of creativity left in you, design something. Draw something, do something cool with typography. Take 5 minutes to create something, or take 2 hours.
It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you 👏just 👏keep 👏designing.
The more you practice, the more creativity will come to you.
In my experience, not every time will one of my daily designs become a masterpiece, but it turns into a discipline, which in the long-haul will only make me a better person and designer.
It’s definitely something I recommend every design to at least try.
Try for a month and let us know in the comments how it goes for you!
4. Back to Basics: Keep a Sketchbook
Sometimes, you’ll just be enjoying a book or coffee in the middle of town, without your laptop or tablet, and you just have this brilliant design idea come to mind.
You’ve got to jot it down, and quick.
Go back to basics and carry a little sketch pad with you so that you’re always prepared to jot down your next great idea.
Whether you’re on a walk and you see something in nature that inspires you, or you’re looking through a classic magazine and see a beautiful design trend that you want to bring back, keep that sketchbook with you and use it to your advantage.
5. Challenge Yourself
Finally and most importantly, challenge yourself.
Growth never happens when you’re comfortable.
It happens when you push yourself outside the box.
So this year, challenge yourself.
Challenge yourself to one design a week that doesn’t necessarily fit your style, or try a new design trend you never tried before because you were scared of failure.
Watch yourself grown and thrive daily.
Wrapping up
Take 2020 into your own hands and make this your year to thrive and grow.
We wish you all this best in 2020 and we’re excited to see what all this year holds for each of us.
We hope you enjoyed our 5 tips to boost creativity. What are some things you do when you’re feeling like you’re stuck in rut? Let us know in the comment section below.
Until next time,
Stay creative, folks!
