Creative Process

My standard creative process usually follows in this order:

• Brainstorm before, during and after initial project briefing, get my brain juices flowing
• Develop first idea on paper and hide under desk not to be discussed until more research
• Find Inspiration, usually this entails a walk down the street and a quick trip to the library for research
• Talk to individuals, friends, peers, family and hear about their stories and lives
• Open the "inspiration box" (Where I keep all my goodies!) and research online
• Compose 10-20 ideas that fit within creative constraints of project
• Refine 5-10 ideas, develop three new ones to new problems that occur
• Showcase five refined and developed ideas to mentors, parents and peers
• Eliminate and determine two best ideas
• Bring out the first idea from under the desk and determine whether it is still the best direction
• Produce finals and see if I am satisfied with my result the next day

When I come across a problem, and that is often as all designers know. I find that usually I can figure it out within a certain time constraint, but when I cannot I take these following steps to move on:

• Run away, literally hide everything I've been working on
• Work on alternate projects
• Listen to music, read, pretend I don't have an impending project due
• Subconsciously problem solve and come up with a creative solution
• Re-introduce the project again as if it was a new briefing
• Get past the inital hump of "designer's block" and jump back into my creative process
 

I used to try to push myself to get through any problem and I often found myself exhausted and not happy with my results. Therefore, I allowed myself to let go of an issue and come back to it. This so far, has been the best solution to moving past problems that occur within the creative process. I can let my thoughts and mind breathe freely allowing for it to naturally determine the best solution.