The Tribune

By Deidre Bastian

The weekend is approaching and you should be preparing to have some fun, but you’ve just checked your e-mail and discovered numerous lingering deadline projects, one after the other. Besides, a specific client has handed you some poorly articulated sketches and asked you to use your imagination. But you can’t, as your creativity is blocked and your inspiration is at an all-time low... Sounds familiar?

That is the dark side, when inspiration does not fall from the ceiling and land gently in your lap when needed. And could this be one of the very moments when you earnestly wished you had chosen to become a professional athlete, police officer or news reporter, regardless of what your grade six teachers advised you?

Motivation plays a prominent role in most careers, and the question on the table is: Where do you even look to find that inspiration? There are no hard and fast rules as to where a designer can, or should, find inspiration, but as designers we should be ever evolving, exploring and changing directions.

Web/Graphic designers are aware that there exists an ultimate freedom in creativity, even though there is no way to force the creative mind to become anchored.

Moreover, some people find inspiration in odd things, such as a passing butterfly, eating a plate of colourful salad or even changing a flat tyre. For example, Sir Isaac Newton, the greatest scientist of his era, who discovered gravity and invented the reflecting telescope in 1668, took his inspiration from a falling apple.

Some recommend smelling the ocean or viewing architecture, so here are a few behaviours some artistic people employ for creativity and inspiration:

SOLITUDE: Being alone sometimes puts you in an inspired state of mind.

MORNING THOUGHTS: Waking up in the morning after a good night’s sleep, your mind is sharp and is in the perfect state to stimulate intellectual ability.

EXERCISE: Practicing any form of physical activity will oxygenate your brain, relieve stress and provide a good sense of well-being to awaken your creative juices.

CONNECTING WITH NATURE: Inspiration and a relaxed mood can be achieved while walking among the trees and flower, watching the falling leaves or hearing the lovely sounds of singing birds.

FUN: Laughing, watching a funny video or sharing a joke with a friend is also relaxing, as it is impossible to find inspiration while tense and up-tight constantly. Any energy that helps you stay connected and smiling, and clears your mind, is good.

LOOK TO OTHERS FOR INSPIRATION: There is nothing better than researching other graphic designers’ work - not to copy, but to be encouraged by their type or style.

Having eyes that react keenly to shape, size, colour and dimension hinges on the scientific term ‘heuristic bias’, which means a trained way of thinking that sometimes can halt the flow.

As human beings, much of our life is guided by heuristic bias. For example, a glowing element on a stove top will guide most of us to steer clear. Walking one step, followed by a series of similar, alternating steps, are basic skills guided by heuristic bias.

Accordingly, as designers we have our own unique heuristic biases, and have trained ourselves to think a certain way about design and the creative process.

One of my greatest sources of inspiration comes from not only graphic design books, but topics that range from psychology to architecture, mathematics, mythology and poetry.

I have regularly browsed sites such as newwpthemes.com for inspiration, along with Deviant art, to stay current with new design trends, which may possibly be one of the best sites out there for marketing and graphics-related work.

You can really find graphic design resources from everywhere around you, if you feel like your source of creativity or inspiration is blocked. Remember, the blocked feeling can be as a result of a bad mood, so take a deep breath or a rest and settle down before you begin.

In case you were not aware, we have five senses which always come in handy. Find the echoes of design in every sight, smell, sound, feeling, taste and process around you. Believe me, it is there. Soak it up and let those echoes work within you. After all, we are all products of the best designer/creator ever. So, until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

Ms Bastian is a professionally trained graphic designer. She has trained at institutions such as Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.