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Ignite your creativity: embrace the maze of ideas

by Chris Michel

I hope this entry finds you well and eager to embrace a fresh perspective on your creative journey. 

Today, I want to delve into a topic that seems counterintuitive but has the potential to revolutionize your creative process: the art of letting go.


1) Stop Chasing 'Good' Ideas

It's a common pitfall. We often pressure ourselves to come up with groundbreaking, 'good' ideas, creating an invisible barrier that inhibits our creativity. 

Instead, let's flip this approach on its head: focus on generating any ideas, without qualifying them as good or bad. 

This shift in perspective encourages a free flow of thoughts, sparking unexpected connections and innovative ideas you might have overlooked in the pursuit of perfection.

Actionable Takeaway: 

Dedicate 15 minutes each day to brainstorming without judgment. Write down all ideas that come to mind, regardless of their immediate merit. You might be surprised by the gems hidden in this creative mine!


2) Embrace the Problem

Traditionally, we're taught to identify a problem and then quickly find a solution.

However, in the realm of creativity, I propose a different approach: hang out with the problem.

Spend time understanding it, exploring its nuances, and immersing yourself in its context. This process often leads to deeper insights and more robust solutions.

Actionable Takeaway: 

The next time you're faced with a problem, don't rush towards a solution. Instead, spend time understanding the problem from multiple angles before moving to the solution phase.


3) Value the 'Wasted' Time

In the creative process, what seems like wasted time can actually be the key to unlocking profound insights.

Doodling, daydreaming, and seemingly aimless pondering can all lead to unexpected breakthroughs. These activities give your mind the space to wander, to form new connections, and to stumble upon novel ideas.

Actionable Takeaway:

Allow yourself some 'wasted' time each day. This could be time spent doodling, walking, or simply staring out the window. Consider this time an investment in your creativity.


4) Beyond the Problem: The Lateral Thinking Approach

Instead of barreling headfirst into the problem, allow your mind to navigate laterally through the maze of ideas.

This process, also known as lateral thinking, encourages you to explore connected ideas rather than focusing solely on the problem at hand.

This approach often leads to more innovative solutions, as it enables you to draw on a wider range of ideas.

Actionable Takeaway:

The next time you face a problem, spend some time exploring related topics, stories, or experiences. These tangential explorations can offer new perspectives and insights.


5) Creativity: A Mind Game

Finally, creativity is essentially a mind game.

The key question to ask is, "How do I get out of my own way?"

Often, our preconceived notions, fears, and insecurities block our creative potential. By recognizing and addressing these mental barriers, we can unlock a reservoir of creativity within us.

Actionable Takeaway:

Practice mindfulness to increase self-awareness. Regularly check in with yourself to identify any mental blocks and work towards overcoming them.

Try This! 

To put these principles into practice, try this simple exercise:

  1. Identify a problem or challenge you're currently facing.
  2. Spend 15 minutes jotting down any ideas or thoughts related to this problem - remember, no idea is too outlandish at this stage.
  3. Spend some time exploring related topics or ideas that seem tangentially connected to your problem.
  4. Set aside some 'wasted' time each day to let your mind wander around this problem.
  5. Reflect on your thoughts and feelings throughout this process. Are there any mental barriers hindering your creativity?

This exercise is designed to encourage open-mindedness, lateral thinking, and mindful reflection, all of which are crucial components of the creative process.

What does this process look like on one of my projects?

I use this process with almost every problem I face, especially professionally. This is what it looks like while designing a logo:

  1. Identify the problem my client is trying to solve. In this case, they need a logo to represent a handyman business. So I ask questions about what sort of feelings or ideas they want conveyed in their brand. The answers to these questions spark some ideas for my initial brainstorming in most cases.
  2. Next, I sketch until initial ideas burn out. Then I Google, read, look at things related/not related. I’m looking for visual inspiration, ideas to mix, strong layouts and color combos.
  3. Then I sit on the idea for a few days. In free moments in the evening while watching Netflix or other parts of the day, I’ll pull out my sketches and add a few
  4. I might sketch 50 ideas and only share 6-12 with the client. We narrow in on 1-3 and refine them in higher fidelity, including color and typography. I’ll let these sit just like the sketches and add ideas as they come for a few days.
  5. I send refined ideas to the client, hear feedback, and the final concept is chosen. I execute final files and get everything ready for the client to use. 


Remember, the path to creativity isn't always linear. It's a maze filled with unexpected twists, turns, and dead ends. But every step you take, whether forward, sideways, or even backwards, brings you closer to your creative potential.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and breakthroughs!

Best,
Chris
@hatefulcrawdad

P.S. I’m working on a graphic design course for kids!

I’m working on a graphic design course for home education and I’m looking for people to answer a few questions I have. If you are interested in having your kids learn about graphic design and want to impact the direction of the course, reach out and let me know. My email address is h8c@hatefulcrawdad.com

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