3 Steps to Overcoming Creative Block

Creative block–it happens. To everyone. So what do you do when you hit this wall, the rope breaks, and you can’t climb over? We are professional creatives and we still don’t have the secret formula to overcoming the wall. Sometimes more research or looking into what is working for other creatives can be a helpful place to start. But, the greatest way to crush the wall of creative block is by simply designing your way to a solution.

That doesn’t sound too inspiring, you say? Well, it can be difficult to know where to start, but here are a few helpful hints that are sure to help channel your creative inspiration:

  1. Research Your Industry
    Start by sizing up your competition. Don’t look at this too broadly. Narrow your search to your direct competition and take a survey of what they are doing. What trends do you see? What design elements (colors, patterns, shapes, typefaces, etc.) are they using?After looking at your competition, you should have a basic idea of what other businesses like you are doing. At IM Design Group, we feel like this step is incredibly important in order to understand what things our client’s competition are NOT doing, because that’s where it is crucial to focus.
  2. Find Ways to Stand Out
    Instead of getting caught up in what your competitors ARE doing, focus on what they ARE NOT doing. What gaps do you see that you can use to make your business stand out over your competitors? As an example, pretend you are marketing a dental practice. Are all of your competitors using a blue color scheme, some type of a tooth image, organic curvilinear shapes, and similar messaging? If so, the key is to find colors, shapes, patterns, logo elements, and verbiage that differentiate you from what is commonly used. The best design inspiration comes from within, not from mimicking what your competition is doing.
  3. Sketch, Sketch, Sketch
    Once you have a basic idea of what you want to incorporate into your design, start sketching. You don’t have to be an artist to be able to put an marks on paper. They don’t have to make sense to anyone else or even look good. They are purely for your benefit. The majority of the ideas that you put on paper will likely never even come to fruition. But, if you never put them down, they won’t either. Sketch until something resonates. Then run with it.

While this is obviously not a science, following these steps can help you step back from the immediate problem and gain new insight and perspective into overcoming your creative block. If you’re still stumped and want extra help in planning a creative project for your business, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to help you love what you do!


Author: Courtney Huber

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