Readers’ Poll: How do You Combat Designer’s Block?

Readers’ Poll: How do You Combat Designer’s Block?

on Sep 5th 2011 with 21 comments
This entry is part 9 of 10 in the Let’s Talk About Creativity Session
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A blank screen. A big, white, blank screen. Looking at me, mocking me. I know, I’ll make a cup of tea. Must think of something brilliant.. I wonder what my mates are doing now? They’re probably in the pub talking about the game on Saturday. It was a good game. Wait, is that the time already?!

We all experience it from time to time: designer’s block. The question is, how do you get past it?

Obviously, this is a hugely open-ended poll and your preferred approach to beating designer’s block may not be listed. Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments then!

 
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Hi there! My name's Ian Yates. Welcome to Webdesigntuts+ :)  

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  • http://www.adipurdila.com AdiPurdila

    When I get stuck it’s usually because I’m in a bad mood. The thing that works for me is watch a comedy, a funny video, Michael McIntyre or Jack O’Neill (yes yes, I still watch SG-1 every now and then :D). If I manage to get in a good mood and I’m laughing, then I’m gonna have fun designing as well. And that usually works because let’s face it, we should all have fun designing and doing our jobs, it’s where great stuff comes from, right? :)

    • http://www.fingerprintweb.pl Zdzichu

      SG-1 and Atlantis are the best inspiration ;)

  • http://simonwjackson.com Simon W. Jackson

    Honestly, the only thing that works for me is going on a long walk or drive (no less than an hour). All of my best work was created as a direct result of stepping away from the computer.

  • Kyle Morin

    I agree, sometimes I feel we get too lost into the computer because it is our lifestyle, when in fact it is just a tool to complete a task. Whenever I feel stuck on a design or blocked on a solution, I sometimes forget that I need to step away from the thing that is preventing me from finding the solution. Getting your mind on something else, a movie, the beach, fresh air, anything…always helps, never hurts.

  • http://line-in.co.uk Simon Fairbairn
    • http://www.idesignit.co.il/ Elron

      Lol. true.

  • Nano

    I meditate and stare at my left hand. Then I’ll slap my left thigh and think of nothing. Then I’ll make some tea and come back and continue work because I’ve usually activated my right lobe sufficiently.

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  • egiova

    Nobody is mocking you. I can tell you…

    The blank page has always been the enemy of writers, artists and so.

    Francis Bacon was painting on the other side of his canvas. He said it was for the texture, I suspect the first time he did it, it was for escaping to the anguish of a blank canvas in front of him…

  • http://creativeaddict.co.za/ Lisa

    I get ‘stuck’ when I need to complete something urgent, or when I feel pressured to make something incredible. I can spend hours getting no where, and eventually I’ll leave it. The next day, I will design something perfect and in record timing, but it has to be left for an entire day.

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  • http://www.adesignlink.com Chad

    My Best Work Came While I was on Vacation at the beach. I worked for 3 days and got 10 days worth of work done.

  • http://www.xpellshop.com ric

    i usually looks for other’s inspiration but this is not the best idea.
    my creative block does not go away. what i do next is do somthing else or just leave the computer.
    i usually get inspired when i least expect it and not when i look for inspiration

  • http://frendz4ever.in/blog Fahad

    When i get stuck on something I always get off the computer and do some other things like taking shower or going for a walk and then suddenly my mind clicks:)

  • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
    Author

    Thanks for the feedback folks :) It appears the best designer’s block beaters so far are: seeking inspiration from others, and switching to another task for the time being.

    Very few absinthe drinkers amongst Webdesigntuts+ readers (in spite of it being green…)

    • http://www.marcwiest.com Marc

      Back in the day absinthe used to be a psychedelic drink. These days they are solely alcohol. I don’t know about other designers but I can’t DUI (Design Under the Influence).

      • http://PSDtutorials.co.uk Peter sawyer

        I find having a pint can help chill me out and then I focus on the task more……

        However getting drunk is a no no.

        At work I change task or seek inspiration. At home I wanna away and chill then come back to it later.

  • Valstorm

    The old green medicinal herb works a treat, either that or single malt scotch.

  • http://www.rozsahegyi.net Peter Rozsahegyi

    Sketching. I have a big A3 sized block of papers and lots of pencils around me. And I listen to jazz. Not too smooth, not too free.

  • Joseph DeBartola

    Pink Floyd. I put any of their albums on full repeat; and I just go to town.

  • arnold

    next poll

    Readers Poll: Do you want more polls?

    a. Nope
    b. Nada
    c. dont care…
    e. like pie?

  • RobH

    I bounce between seeking inspiration in magazines/online and stepping away and working out then taking a shower. The workout gets the juices flowing… you feel good after… and the shower is relaxing and it promotes creative thinking. I do my best thinking in the shower.

    Once you get back to the drawing board (quite literally) and into a good groove… a playlist of movie scores and 80′s tend to keep me there.

  • http://www.marcwiest.com Marc

    Jogging, meditation or laying in my hammock. Mainly clearing my mind of as many thoughts as I can AFK.