If you’re a designer, you probably know what it feels like to suffer from “designer’s block.” For those who don’t, let me explain: Designer’s block is the inability to come up with creative or original ideas for your work. It can be frustrating and demoralizing — but fear not! There are ways that you can overcome this common problem and get back into the groove of designing great things.
Get out of the space you’ve been working in
You may find yourself in a situation where you’re working on something that requires creativity and inspiration. Suddenly, the words just won’t flow. You stare at your blank page for hours. You know what needs to be done, but how do you even start?
Designer’s block can be frustrating, but there are ways to overcome it! One way is by getting out of the space where you’ve been working — and this could mean going as far as another city or country. Different surroundings will give you a new perspective on what needs to happen next, and maybe help inspire some ideas along the way.
Take a nap or a break to let your mind relax
When you are feeling too stressed, take a moment and breathe deeply. Don’t force yourself to do something if you don’t feel like it, as this will only produce bad results in the end. You should also know that overworking yourself is not good for creativity either; in fact, it can make things worse! Being afraid of failure may also affect your productivity, so try not to think about how much time or effort went into something if the result isn’t what you hoped for—it’s not worth worrying about those things anyway!
Take some time off — it’s okay if you don’t work every day
It’s okay to take some time off. Designers can fall into the trap of working day after day on the same project. This will lead to burnout and, ultimately, an inability to make progress on your projects.
Taking a break from writing or designing is one way that you can keep your creativity flowing. By stopping for a few hours every day or even taking a weekend off every once in a while, you allow yourself time to recharge so that when it comes time for work again things are easier because of this break.
If you find yourself struggling with ideas or inspiration during these breaks then maybe it’s better not to take them at all! Just remember though: if this happens frequently then there’s probably something else wrong with your workflow!
Approach the problem from a different angle
Sometimes the best way to overcome a problem is by taking a new angle on it. If you’re not sure how you want to approach your design, try thinking about what you can do with the problem.
For example, if you’re trying to improve your social media presence but aren’t quite sure how maybe it would be helpful if your company could hire someone who specializes in social media marketing (or even better: someone who has experience working with small businesses). This person could help train employees and advise them on how they should use their platforms effectively!
Work on something else
It can be frustrating to spend days or weeks working on a project and then suddenly find yourself blocked. If you’re experiencing this problem, it can help to try something different for a while. Take a break from your main project and focus on something else that doesn’t require as much mental energy. If you’re an illustrator or designer who has hit a roadblock with their latest illustration or design project, for example, why not take an hour or two away from it in favor of sketching out ideas for another idea?
Working on something else will give your brain a chance to rest while still keeping your creative juices flowing. It may also give a new perspective on what was blocking your progress before—and once refreshed and recharged with new ideas in mind, returning to the original task should be easier than ever!
Go outside and find some new inspiration
When you’re feeling stuck, it may be helpful to let go of the idea that you can make something beautiful in your head. Instead, try getting out into the world and seeing what inspires you. You could visit a local coffee shop or park and sit outside for a while; visit an art museum; take a long walk through your neighborhood; go on a drive through rural areas; or visit the beach! The important thing is not to get hung up on making anything specific—just allow yourself to be inspired by whatever comes into your field of vision.
Ask someone else for help in brainstorming an idea
Asking someone else for help in brainstorming an idea is beneficial because they can offer a different perspective on the problem. If you are designing a website and need to come up with better navigation, asking your friend who works in marketing may help you create a new way to organize content that is more intuitive for users. Asking a friend who isn’t an artist or designer could help you overcome creative blocks by helping think outside the box.
Make a list of things you’ve accomplished
- Make a list of things you’ve accomplished recently and feel good about.
- Look back over the list, and allow yourself to bask in your accomplishments.
The act of writing down a list can be helpful. The act of looking back over the list can also be helpful (after all, it only takes seconds).
Challenge yourself
If you know exactly what you want to do but can’t figure out how to do it, challenge yourself to figure out how to do it as quickly as possible.
This may mean taking a different approach or trying something new. Try experimenting with new methods that can help you quickly and easily attain your goal. If that doesn’t work, try something else!
Remember that perfection doesn’t exist
- Remember that perfection doesn’t exist and take risks in your designs that may not seem ideal, but could spark something in your mind and help you solve the block.
- Don’t be afraid of it! If you have a concept or idea for a design, try it out – don’t worry about how it looks or if other people will like it; just create something that makes sense to you right now.
Overcoming creative blocks is just part of being a designer, so don’t be afraid of it
If you’re a designer, chances are you’ve experienced “designer’s block” at least once. It’s part of the job description, really—you take creative leaps and bounds every day, but every so often what was once exciting becomes difficult and boring.
It’s normal to feel like your work has become stale or uninspired when this happens. But there are ways to push past these feelings and get back into your groove!
If you find yourself with a case of the dreaded creative blocks, try doing something completely different from what gets you out of them (for example: if working on wireframes isn’t inspiring anymore, try designing an ad campaign).
Conclusion
No one is perfect and that includes designers. Sometimes we need to step away from our work and let our minds rest in order to come up with new ideas. Other times, we just need a different perspective on the problem at hand and then everything falls into place. Don’t let yourself get stuck in “designer’s block” because it will only make it harder for you to overcome this challenge when it happens again. Remember that everyone has their way of overcoming creative blocks so try some of these tips out for yourself!
