The creative mind works best under certain conditions.
As a prelude to talking about staying impassioned, there needs to be a discussion about art. There are two fundamental categories of art, fine art, and commercial. In this discussion, these two categories will stray from their textbook denotation. First is a fine art and to bastardize its definition for this conversation let it be any art that is for art-sake only. This is art for the artist and has no direct intention for the consumer. It being bought has no impact upon its categorization because only the creation process is in question. The second is commercial art, which is directly created for a customer. Defining the division is crucial because as art becomes less for the artist it becomes increasingly hard to stay impassioned.
The fatigue or loss of passion experienced when artists engage in the creation of commercial art comes from many sources. Repetition, low level of creative input, stagnation, and burnout are just a few reasons for creative apathy.
To keep a healthy and productive level of creativity there are some key practices and habits that should be fostered. And some key pitfalls that should be avoided.
Fuel, Rest, Patterns, and Purpose.
The impetus to create comes from different sources when you talk about art. Fine art is sometimes the artistic output of pain and suffering, while other fine art comes from beauty and passion. Commercial art is initiated by instructions and orders. The creativity that comes from that point can be fueled by either of the two previous catalysts but what happens when these are nowhere to be found. Some of the best designers I know thrive from the puzzle and the new. And part of their process is to reinvent themselves while others use tricks and patterns to start. This brings me to the first pitfall of designers.
Repetition can overcome blocks but repetition also can stunt creative growth.
It is done everywhere. Advertisements, websites, and broadcasts are just a few places where designers use repetition of creative tricks to move quickly away from the stark white of a blank canvas. Even though it is an excellent way to move forward on a project leaning too heavily on this will cause you to grow tired of your own creation. A good way to overcome this pitfall is to design for different mediums. Design principles are all similar across many mediums but each medium has its own rules and is consumed differently by its audience. If you design mostly flat items design something in 3D like a mug or a beer bottle. If you design digitally then take a crack at a brochure. Not being able to utilize your crutch will have surprising effects because you might bring new things back to your primary medium.
Creative input makes better creative output.
A true quagmire of a situation is when as an artist you have no creative output. Either is client dictated or the hierarchy at your establishment makes it impossible to do anything other than be a set of hands. This setup is a true killer when it comes to creative people. Establishing boundaries with clients, account executives, and managers can help.
Being an artist doesn’t give us a license to be a diva or an anarchist.
Be careful not to dismiss everything after all we sill answer to these figures, but in a good creative environment, there should be a clear division of input that allows the correct expertise to be heard. In the moments of the extreme, it is recommended to have outside projects to offset this ambition killer. Having a purpose is needed to survive. And to have a fabricated outside purpose is better than sinking deeper into feeling un-valued.
A healthy creative mind comes from hard work and exercise. Setup a regiment set aside time to “be” creative and to “be” restful. The duality will give better performance. Have an extra creative hobby because it will inspire growth. And continue to develop your skills because the design will never standstill.