Believe it or not, creative people sometimes hit a brick wall. Creativity isn’t something that can always be turned on at a flick of a switch. Sad, but true. Every designer goes through these blocks and I’m sure every designer has their own way of getting back on track.
For me, I take a step back from what I’m working on (or lack thereof) and try to get back on track by reading my favorite blog, looking at my favorite design magazines, or flipping through works of art on my favorite website.
Communication Arts
Communication Arts magazine (a.k.a Comm Arts) is a publication by designers for designers. The publication generates five magazines a year, each focusing on a specific area of creativity.
- Typography
- Advertising
- Design
- Illustration
- Photography
Each of these annuals is dedicated to showing the years best work in their field. The works published in each year’s magazine are elected by a different panel of judges that are experts in that area. Each annual offers pages and pages of ideas to spark the imagination. Along with great works, Comm Arts writes feature stories on different designers, agencies, and creative professionals in the industry. The articles feature their work and interviews conducted between the professional and author, which are always insightful. Whether it is seeing the latest photographic trends or this years most successful advertising campaigns, the Communication Arts’ annuals always help me focus.
Designspiration.net
Designspiration.net is one of my new favorite “go-to” websites for inspiration. This website is basically a Pinterest for graphic designers. Site account holders can upload their work to be displayed by users, which can then be used for creative inspiration by the user. Designspiration’s delivered content is not only awesome, but how you use/navigate the site is fascinating. You can search what you are looking three different ways; phrase or word, color choice, or by scrolling through the latest posted works.
When you go to the site’s url, you simply start typing what you are searching. For example, I want to search for “portraits,” I simply start typing “portraits” on any screen, press enter, and any piece of content with tag “portrait” is displayed on the screen. Amazing and simple. It is a sure way to find what you are working for.
Brand New: Opinions on Corporate and Brand Identity Work
Brand New is my absolute favorite graphic design blog to read, and is a great escape from your work. Armin Vit is a graphic designer and blog author for the blog, Brand New, and part owner of the parent company UnderConsideration. Brand New’s content and format provides you with the latest identity design news and creates an interactive atmosphere where blog readers can comment and vote on their thoughts of the article’s content. Blog articles are usually focused on identity design, and particularly redesigns. Armin is awesome at sourcing the post’s content and providing imagery to complement the written content. One of my favorite posts of theirs recently focused on the re-brand of DC Comics.
Whether it is reading or looking, these inspirational avenues are sure to get the creative side of your brain back on track. What are some of your inspirational outlets?