It’s not only writers who suffer with bouts of creative blockages; many people are known to experience a complete obstruction in their creative thinking from time to time too.
If you’re suffering with a bad case of creativity block, these unusual yet inspirational infographics should help.
Dept. of Tips and Tricks
In Dept. of Tips and Tricks we learn the truth behind what art directors say (and the truth behind the language of their respective illustrators) as well as a brief exploration of the use of labels in illustrations – the conclusion to which is that “labels are usually used to hide weak ideas.”
There’s also a handy “abstract-o-meter,” which helps illustrators and designers ascertain how acceptable their abstract drawings and ideas are. However, surely how acceptable your choice between “completely realistic” or “utterly abstract” is would be dependant on the nature of your design project?
Art, Schmart
Art, Schmart is designed to put to rest the minds of those artists, illustrators and designers who suffer with a Picasso inferiority complex.
As the infographic proves, some of the most successful artworks throughout history have actually been some of the simplest. For example, Andy Warhol’s ability to copy and paste images resulted in some of the most recognized and memorable pieces of 20th-century art.
Basically, Art, Schmart tries to demonstrate that it’s creating something attractive, memorable and articulative of your message that matters – no one cares whether or not it could be in the running for the “21st-century Da Vinci” award.
I Confess
Another infographic that could put to rest the minds of designers and illustrators who think they’re just not good enough, I Confess teaches that none of us is perfect, and we all have our sore points and weaknesses.
One of the stand-out illustrations on this infographic is the pile of books that sits below “I steal.” Featuring the names of famous illustrators throughout modern history, this image shows that we do all steal, whether or not we admit it (or are even aware that we do it).
We’d be strained to say that in the 21st century, anything is ever a truly original idea. We might take an idea and twist and shape it into something new, but the fact is that by now, it’s pretty much all been done before. We just need to learn how to take the greatest ideas, put our mark on it, and mold it to fit our purpose.
My Life With Editors
In My Life With Editors we learn that we all suffer with the same trials and tribulations at the hands of editors.
As much as we try to please, they’ll nearly always find something wrong with our work, and it’ll nearly always be a completely irrational criticism (see the image of the stars and stripes flag and the “comments” from editors, including a request to change the stars to state outlines).
While this is an extreme (yet not entirely unfeasible) example, it should put to rest the minds of designers who have been made to feel “just not good enough” time and again by an editor with a far too inflated sense of their own self-worth, importance and talent.
Periodic Table of Metaphors
When we hear the word “metaphor” we tend to think about the spoken and written word; metaphors are commonly used in poetry and prose, and we regularly use them in everyday language, most of the time without realizing. I simply love this one (found it courtesy of Tom Peters of cartridgeink.co.uk)
However, metaphors are a highly effective way to tap into human psychology and encourage people to complete an action, whether that’s buy something, click on something or repeat something to a friend.
With this in mind, turning to metaphors when you’re stuck for design inspiration could be the solution to getting your creative juices flowing. This periodic table of metaphors should help get you started.
This was really HILARIOUS.