Have you ever worked on a project or had a problem that you couldn’t seem to figure out? You try and look at other places to find some sort of inspiration, but can’t seem to find any. Most of the time, inspiration doesn’t come easily. There are a few amazing tips on finding inspiration.
As a graphic designer, finding inspiration is one of the most difficult parts of being a creative. It seems that everything has already been done and repeated many times over again. When I try to find inspiration, it just doesn’t seem to be there. But, there are a few things that work for me. Here are my top 6 ways to find inspiration for your next big project.
#1 Get away from all screens!
That's right, I said it. Get away from all screens! Put away the smartphone, video games, no Netflix/Prime/Hulu etc., no computers or even TV’s. We get so focused on the screen, that we don’t allow our brains to function the way God intended. Sometimes stepping away from the screens for an hour rejuvenates us and inspires us.
#2 Grab a pencil, some paper, and start sketching.
OK, I get it. Not everyone can draw. But, doodling on a piece of paper helps use a different part of your brain that might trigger something. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Sketching is about getting an idea down on paper quickly. Maybe it will turn into something, maybe it won’t.
#3 Get out in nature.
It's amazing how much inspiration we can gather from nature. Think about creation. God created the world in 6 days. He created every shape, color, texture, movement, and the combinations of any of these put together. When we get out in nature, we are exposed to God’s creation and creativity. For me, this is a huge inspiration.
#4 Get up and get out
Exercise. It’s one of the things that nobody wants to do, but everyone should do. After all, now "they" are saying sitting is the new smoking. There is something about exercise that helps reset your brain. It gets the blood pumping, relieves stress and energizes us. It can also us help find inspiration. Here is the trick with this one… find an exercise that you think is fun. If you don't enjoy it, then chances are you won't do it. If you dread running, don’t run. Your thing might swimming, martial arts or yoga. Quick disclaimer: I hated exercising until I found a sport that I enjoy! Whatever you find to do, the more fun it is, the more likely you will naturally find inspiration.
#5 Grab a good book
OK, this one may be the worst. At least for me, it is. I hate reading. But, when I sit down with a book, there is something that makes my mind jump start. For me, when I start to concentrate on reading, my mind goes haywire. My mind floods over with thoughts about different projects that I'm working on. And sometimes, inspiration hits so that I have the answer to the problem or project.
#6 Pray
You may think this one is a joke. But, I’m serious. With the type of creative work that I do day in and day out, prayer is a vital part of the creative process. Sometimes, I’ll get stuck in a rut and can’t figure out the answer to the problem. But, when I take time to pray and reflect on God’s word, God fills my mind with solutions, ideas, and inspiration.
There you go, 6 ways to get inspired. I hope that these 6 tips will help you find the inspiration you need for your next project. Is there one that isn’t listed here that works well for you. If so, let us know in the comments below.