what is the best way to increase your creativity?

[DannyLove]

well, lately i've noticed a drain in my creative side. I've been trying and dying to be creative and applying it on design, but lately, I get that designers block and so I leave it and do other things.
Since creativity is characteristic of ones self, and if I haven't been able to generate any, is that telling me that I should just give up?
i know i won't give up, but what do you think is the best way in boosting this characterstic?
I need to make something that makes someone say "wow, that is creative" i really haven't done something like that in a looooooong time.
please don't say drugs
I'm assuming there are other remedies in boosting, so please, feel free to answer.
i heard someone in the background wanting an example. well, here is an example of what I think is creativity AT ITS BEST!

http://www.phojekt.com/



danny~!

 

[yoyo25]

Roadtrip always helps.

 

[weezergirl]

whenever i have designer's block i seriously go look at other people's stuff. (no i don't copy). when i see other people's work it really motivates me to make something that cool or even cooler.

oh and listening to music gets me creative too. a song can bring up so many images to me.

 

[illusion88]

Play an insturment!
Or go backpacking....
Not sure if you do that tho

You might try going out to the middle of nowhere, someplace where you cant see any trace of human beings and just sit in silence... I do that all the time. Its great...

You could go hiking...
Or if you are city bound you could go for a walk....

 

[troglodytis]

introspection


humans are crazy wierd deep inside thier brains. look inside to see the new.

 

[brxndxn]

My suggestion was gonna be drugs.

 

[yobarman]

<< My suggestion was gonna be drugs. >>



Ditto.. Oh sweet Mary J!

 

[swai]

depends on what you're creating...
like in music, if you're brain has no ideas, you might just take things that are TOTALLY different and put them together.... like polka and r&b and then adding a violin lead, and then making it all work together... cuz there's obviously no way to make it work unless you're freakin creative
you could probably apply this method to whatever you're doing

 

[spanky]

please don't say drugs


i got nothing after that.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Have you read any books (outside of the classroom) on design theory, or maybe a biography of a designers you like or admire? I've found that reading bio's of editors (I'm an editor btw) and books on editing theory (not "how to", but theory) helps me. After reading them I'm like "Wow, I never looked at it like that before." It can give you a different perspective.


Lethal

EDIT: spelling

 

[rootaxs]

I know this one's passe but it really works. Look outside the box.

When you have a project of creating, say, a design for a car ad. Go out to your local antique shop and look around. Before you know it *BAM* you just got hit by the wackiest idea yet.

Of course it's also good hitting the project right on the dot but sometimes going beyond (or the opposite) also yields good (if not awesome) results.

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

drive, just drive

 

[DannyLove]

<< Have you read any books (outside of the classroom) on design theory, or maybe a biography of a designers you like or admire? I've found that reading bio's of editors (I'm an editor btw) and books on editing theory (not "how to", but theory) helps me. After reading them I'm like "Wow, I never looked at it like that before." It can give you a different perspective.


Lethal

EDIT: spelling >>

i know exactly what you mean, and its been awhile since I;ve done that.

thanks guys for your input.

danny~!

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

stick needles in your brain and see what random thoughts come up. if you want something less hardcore, crack is good, then heroine, then PCP. mmmmm sweet cocaine melts in my mouth not in my hand

 

[Moonbeam]

Don't go thanking people for imput before you get mine. I became creative after reading the following story:

Mullah (theye're not real popular right now) Nasrudin once road into town backwards. The people came running out (Nasrudin was the local color) and asked, "Why are you riding that donkey backwards?" He replied, "Didn't it occur to any of you that it might be the donkey who is backwards?"

I have been having a world of fun with donkeys ever since.

 

[urameatball]

get some sleep

 

[woodly6]

The most influential(sp) thing to me is music, I am so emotional about music, it can inspire me to no end.

 

[greenfirs]

Sounds like you burned out.

Take a vacation and see if that helps. If you burned out badly, you may never recover.

 

[Oalex]

Smoke some dope dude and then sit on the side-walk of a busy street and start brain-storming on what this weeks terrorist attacks might be (like the guys at Holywood, working with the FBI). When you have five real good plots, then email them to CCN's viewer coment line. If they are aired then you're back on track (that is your creativity is back), if not start all over again.....

 

[chess9]

Not to worry, mon ami, you have simply hit your version of "writer's block". Flaubert would writhe for days on the floor trying to come up with just the right word to express a feeling. Although Beethoven and Mozart had more ideas than time on this hallowed ground, they both suffered periods of great creative strain.

When I'm dealing with a difficult problem, the first thing I do is put it away. Ignore it, or, actually, pretend I'm ignoring it. After a few days I come back to the problem and usually can find the most creative solution for it.

I also run long distances now and find it to be the best release of the intellectual tension that blocks creativity.

Try listening to some music outside your preferred genre. Read some poetry written in German, French, Italian, or Spanish. Try Pablo Neruda.

For me, being alone and avoiding mundane issues helps.

Ultimately, we don't know what drives the creative process, but usually time helps clear the cobwebs. Be thankful you have any creativity!

-Robert

 

[littlelee]

id say dont use a computer as im always glued to it doing the same old things

 

[jjones]

some people are naturally gifted and others have to work at it. i'm one of those that has to work at it. music is good. even though you said not to mention it, a little weed or a couple of shots of tequila are sometimes good for getting me kick-started. but that's also because i enjoy it. a little meditation may help.

i do think though, that for most of us who aren't naturally gifted but feel we have something inside that's creative, the best method is not to focus on anything in particular but to just get started on something, anything, in a little way and continue from there. just the act of getting started usually works me through any blocks i may have.

 

[sciencetoy]

Desperation works for me. I'm always way creative right before the deadline.

 

[Shudder]

LIsten to new music, even if you think it blows

I suggest Mr Bungle.. that'll get some creative juices going.

 

[LadyJessica]

You can induce a manic state by using drugs or not sleeping for 2-3 days. Either one should increase your creativity.