It’s been a long couple of weeks. My days have been up and down, and I’m still unpacking. I finally finished unpacking our guest bedroom tonight, just in time for my brother to visit tomorrow.

I’ll be honest and let you know that throughout this transition, I haven’t had much time (or made much time) for purely creative work outside of my day job. Most of my art supplies and three quarters of my office are still packed, so I honestly haven’t known where to begin.

However, I have made time here in there to get my self back in a creative groove. Life is busy, and when it is at its craziest, it is incredibly easy to put creative work on the back burner. Here’s what I am (trying to) do to avoid that pitfall.

• My Fuji Instax Mini is sitting on top of my backup hard drive on my kitchen table, a reminder that I need to capture the fun, simple moments that make up my life.
• I’ve been staying caught up on White Hot Truth, with my friend Keli’s posts, and with Kathleen’s latest creative work.
• I’m listening to the latest TED talks. The 2010 conference was held two weeks ago, and TED is gradually releasing videos of some of the talks.
• I’m working on a short story. It’s for a class, but I’m really proud of it, and I can’t wait to share the finished version with you.

What do you do to keep creativity top of mind when you’re in transition?

Related posts:

1. 3 Things Inspiring Me This Week
2. TED Talk: The Design Genius of Charles and Ray Eames
3. When Something’s Gotta Give

It was a privilege to be invited to participate in a series with so many other creatives from all walks of life. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Related posts:

1. Podcast with Concept Artist Fredrik Tyskerud
2. Creative Inspiration During Cold Season
3. New Podcast + Interview with Robert Fritz

So, I thought I’d add my own list for the creative community. I don’t have time to list out 100 bloggers, although I’m sure there are many times that many creative bloggers out there. Instead, I’ve listed five that I truly enjoy following and that I think we’ll see do great things in 2010.

Let’s begin! In no particular order…

1. Kevin Kaiser (www.kevinskaiser.com). Kevin is a brand manager and literary agent by day and a creative writer by night. In his designated writing time, he’s working on a project that I am really excited to see come to fruition, and he has chosen to bring his readers along with him on the journey, all the while encouraging readers to write and building creative community.

2. Susannah Conway (www.inkonmyfingers.typepad.com). Susannah is a photographer, creative writer, and explorer of the heart and creative world. Her bio says that she is “a work in progress, always,” and I think that is the single most thing that draws readers to her. She is vulnerable in her creative journey, but by inviting readers into her world, she also lifts them up. Her Unravelling e-course gets rave reviews.

3. Danielle LaPorte (www.whitehottruth.com). Danielle’s blog just celebrated its first anniversary, and I have to say that I am so glad that she made the choice to start White Hot Truth after her last business ended. I am a recent fan, but I have already benefited so much through the great, sincere content that she posts each week. She’s honest, and she doesn’t post unless she has something to say. And it is always a mind-blowing, valuable thing that must be shared. I can’t wait to see what the next year holds in store for her.

4. Kathleen Ullman (www.twigandthistle.com). Kathleen and her husband run the business side of Twig & Thistle together, but I get the feeling that Kathleen runs the blog. It’s full of adorable tutorials and creative resources. One of Twig & Thistle’s products was consigned by Target last year, and I am confident that 2010 is going to be an even more amazing year for them.

5. Janine Vangool (www.uppercasegallery.ca). I’ve written about Uppercase Magazine before, so I’m sure you already know I’m a huge fan. However, I couldn’t in good conscience not include Janine in this list. She has taken Uppercase to amazing heights, and they are anticipating some exciting changes in 2010. Follow her blog to stay up to date!

Related posts:

1. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Create a Vision Board for 2010
2. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Create a One Thing List
3. Art is Everywhere. This Week: “Thin Places” by Kevin Kaiser

Here are three sites I’ve found with adorable handmade Christmas ideas that actually meet both the I-would-actually-have-that-in-my-house and doable criteria that are so essential to stress-free holiday decorating. Hope you enjoy!

1. Felt Ruffle Wreath via www.domestifluff.com

I love this one and can’t wait to try it myself. Go here for the full tutorial.

2. Terrarium Ornaments via Design*Sponge.

Inspired by these ornaments from Land Rich (via Apartment Therapy), I admit this one seems a little more difficult. But still doable. Go here for the full tutorial.

3. Pine Cone Garland via Twig & Thistle

I made this, then changed my mind and hooked the pinecones on another wreath instead. I love the possibilities of this idea. Go here for the full tutorial.

I also love the very crafty tutorials via Elsie, Rachel, and the Girls at Red Velvet Art, and I have a book of Christmas ideas from my MIL that I am excited to test out. How are you incorporating handmade into Christmas this year?

Related posts:

1. Happy Thanksgiving!
2. 5 Things Inspiring Me This Week
3. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Celebrate

Here are a few secrets I’ve found to continue growing creatively, without breaking the bank.

1. Can’t go to the conference? Participate online!

I’m planning my 2010 budget, and while there are tons of great conferences I would love to attend, some of them just won’t make the budget. While I wasn’t able to find “official” free videos of some of my favorite conferences, I was able to find several via YouTube. I hope that more conferences follow TED’s lead in the future.

Even without video, you can still participate online. Just do an online search for attendees who are “live-blogging” or “live tweeting” the event. Join in on the comments and experience the best of both – community networking and session highlights.

2. Can’t buy the latest tutorial? Check out YouTube!

I’ve said this before, but I mean it – if you want to learn something via video, check out YouTube. You might have to watch videos in 2- or 3-minute increments, and you may not have the convenience of having it all on DVD, but hey – it’s free. Check it out!

3. Can’t buy that magazine subscription? Subscribe to their blog via RSS or email!

The publishing industry is changing rapidly, and this is most obviously true in the newspaper world. However, magazines are shifting, too. A benefit to consumers is that many of the top trade magazines are publishing more and more content online – either directly on their websites or on the company blog. When I think I want a particular magazine subscription but I haven’t budgeted for it, I always subscribe to the company’s blog. Besides giving me access to a ton of great content, reading the magazine’s blog helps me to decide just how much I might benefit from the magazine – or not.

There is a benefit here for magazines, too. Some magazines just publish teasers, which is a smart marketing move. If I like the content, then I find a way to budget in the subscription. If not, I just turn off the RSS feed in my feed reader.

4. Can’t buy that audiobook? Subscribe to the podcast!

This tip doesn’t always hold true, but I have found several favorite authors who also publish podcasts. Like blogs, podcasts are a great way for you to test the waters of a particular writer’s style, to see if you connect with the message or not. I usually subscribe via iTunes and sync up my favorites to my iPhone. This gives me the convenience of an audiobook, but for free. I can listen to it in the car while I’m running errands, while I’m on a road trip, while I’m waiting in the airport, while I’m waiting in line… while I’m waiting anywhere. It’s great.

5. Can’t buy that book? Check out the eBook version!

Several of my favorite authors are also bloggers, so I tend to subscribe to their blog feeds so I can stay up to date with their latest projects and get sneak previews of their upcoming publications. However, not all of them blog, so I’ve turned to eBooks as a backup when buying a title in print is out of my budget. Many times eBooks are less expensive, albeit sometimes also abbreviated. You can often purchase a PDF eBook directly from an author’s website, which is what I often do.

However, you can also check out Amazon’s Kindle store for a wider selection of eBooks. The Kindle has taken off in sales, and eBooks are becoming increasingly popular. There’s even a Kindle app for iPhone users.

Have any secrets to frugal inspiration that you’d like to share? Please post in the comments!

Related posts:

1. Top 10 Go-To Websites for Your Morning Fix of Creative Inspiration
2. How to Keep a Stockpile of Creative Resources
3. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Find Inspiration

But in my world, sick days don’t make the deadlines go away. The benefit of an iPhone and a home office is that I can always be at work – even if I’m still in my pajamas.

So how do I stay inspired and creative while trying to rest and make the sniffles go away? I really enjoyed reading this article about getting dirty with creativity, but on sick days, that’s just too much effort for me. So, I’ve compiled a list of go-to options that require the least amount of energy and effort. Most of them can be accessed conveniently from the couch.

1. Absorb through televised osmosis. I’m not kidding! Put on a classical movie, or watch a documentary, watch the news, or watch a network that you never watch. Expand your worldview.

2. Revisit your home library. Did you forget you had that back issue of HOW on how to market handmade? Yeah, you did. And what about that book by Seth Godin? Now is a good time to pick it up, don’t you think?

3. Listen to podcasts. There is a wealth of information available via podcast! I love listening to Jamie Ridler’s “Creative Living with Jamie” episodes, but don’t forget NPR, the Get-It-Done people, and Stanford’s Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders.

4. Watch TED videos. As in the TED conference. Admittedly, this step does require you to scoot yourself up to your computer, or even better, have someone bring it to you.

5. Listen to an audiobook. Chris and I listen to these a lot when we’re on the road, but they’re a great way to spend an afternoon the couch, too. I usually download them through iTunes, but I’ve heard Audible.com is another great resource.

I hope these ideas help you get through cold season and what for many of us is the busies time of the year. If you have any tips to add, please share them in the comments!

Related posts:

1. Creative Living with Jamie Podcast Today!
2. When Something’s Gotta Give
3. Top 10 Go-To Websites for Your Morning Fix of Creative Inspiration

Sometimes as a blogger it is easy to live with a “how can I document this?” kind of mentality, and so it is really important to actively step away and just be.

The last couple of days have been great for that. I haven’t blogged, haven’t worked on article ideas, haven’t done much art of any kind. Instead, I cleared our garden out after we received a hard frost on Thursday night, set up our Christmas tree inside, and helped my husband risk his life hanging lights. We ate cookies and watched movies and veged properly. Although few of those things tops my list of best creativity tips, I have to admit I feel refreshed and ready to go again.

Later today I’ll be posting a little video and my “5 Things” weekend post. Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments!

Related posts:

1. 5 Things Inspiring Me This Week
2. Vacation and Creative Incubation
3. Vices and Creativity

Lately it feels as if my brain has been stuffed between the grips of a metal vise, and every last bit of creativity, energy, and innovation is being squeezed out. Like every last great idea has been tapped, and I have nothing left to give.

This is what it’s like sometimes when your livelihood depends on your creativity, when your clients depend on your ability to generate great ideas, and a changing marketplace demands constant innovation. Honestly, sometimes I feel completely tapped out.

Calling a Time Out

It’s cold season, so I’ve been stocking up on Emergen-Cs, Oscillococcinum, and other homeopathic preventative meds. Sometimes the same kind of preparation is important to protect our creativity and give ourselves a boost when our creativity is taking a hit.

When my husband feels like he’s getting sick, he has a pattern where he eats lots of comfort food, wears his PJs, and chills out on the couch until he feels better. On days like today, I’ve found that I have a go-to pattern for getting my creative spark back, for getting the courage and energy to jump back in the game – a kind of “chicken soup for the creative soul” remedy.

• Rest. My life and work do not fit within the constraints of 9 to 5, and sometimes, the constantly changing schedule can be physically exhausting rather than creatively invigorating. When I am feeling tapped out, sometimes the cure begins with sleep. Or a hot bath. Or a chill-out movie session. The purpose is to rest, to not think, to not try to be creative, to veg. As much as possible, I try not to worry about responsibilities; I’ll be at my best soon enough, and I’ll deal with them then.
• Rejuvenate. After I’ve let my mind rest, I’ve found that easy creative forays can be really rejuvenating. These are the times that I go through my bookmarked list of favorite diy projects, or I go to the craft store and look for a new tool or some kind of fun project to work on. It is during these times that the “crafter” in me kicks into high gear.
• Connect. It helps me so much to connect with other creatives, to see what they are working on, to hear about their lives, and to be inspired by them. This is why I subscribe to so many blogs in my RSS feed reader and try to follow as many as I can on Twitter. Forums like Deviant Art and ConceptArt.org are another great way to get connected.

After I’ve taken these steps, I usually feel refreshed and energized enough to get back in the game. If not, I simply repeat the process. What do you do when you’re creatively tapped? I’d love to hear your own “chicken soup for the creative soul” remedy in the comments.

Related posts:

1. Vacation and Creative Incubation
2. How to Be an Innovator, Part 30: The Heart of the Matter
3. A Creative Process for Everyone, Part 3: The Manager

Andy’s argument is that designers who cannot answer questions about fundamental aspects of creating good design should basically get out of business until they learn what they’re talking about. His op-ed leaves very little room for break-out artists, or self-made creative entrepreneurs who lack formal training. And as we all know, there are quite a few of us out there.

My formal education is in business. I chose that route specifically, and not because I didn’t or don’t see the value in a Fine Arts degree. Instead, I felt it would strengthen my foundation and help me succeed.

So, here’s my question. If you are a creative director, would you use Andy’s test in the interviewing process, or would you care more about the individual’s portfolio?

Do you think Andy’s test has merit? I’d love to hear your opinions.

Related posts:

1. Artists Wanted: Art vs. Design
2. Dolls, Birds, and Wood-Burned Design
3. Why Creativity Matters

If you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet, click here. I won’t share your info with anyone, I swear.

Need a little extra motivation? Newsletter subscribers get a 10% discount on ad rates. Yay for you, yay for me.

No related posts.

But not because of bad writing.

Or because it was too thick or too detailed or too analytical.

It took me a long time to get through it because after every short chapter, I had to stop and think it through.

It’s one of those books that has the power to change they way you live and the way you conduct your business. It’s subtlety makes for a powerful approach that is likely to catch you off guard.

First, Here’s What It’s Not

I basically bought Ignore Everybody on a whim. I do that from time to time – you know, walk around Barnes & Noble until something catches my eye. On this particular occasion, I had a long road trip ahead of me, and I thought it might be interesting to see what people were writing about creativity.

Plus, Seth Godin endorsed it, and I like Seth Godin a lot.

As you might imagine, I was quite surprised to learn that Ignore Everybody is not really about creativity. Sure, the guy who wrote is creative. He draws quirky, clever cartoons on business cards and sells them. But this book will not help you be more creative.

Something Different

Instead of being your typical book on creativity (i.e., how to brainstorm more effectively), Ignore Everybody is a different kind of book. Much in the same way that Hugh McLeod is a different kind of artist.

Ignore Everybody is essentially a manifesto on how not to be a starving artist and how to not to get lost in the oblivion of undiscovered artists. Ignore Everybody will tell you to make something of your craft, to be a smart business person, to be realistic, to be ready for things to be hard, and to rock on anyway.

This book is full of smart business advice, and smart creative advice. It’s a book I’ll keep on my shelf for years to come, and you should, too.

The good news for you is that I’m giving away a copy in celebration in celebration of Creative Perch’s first anniversary. Go post the best creative business advice you’ve received for your chance to win!

Related posts:

1. Why Creativity Matters
2. Book Review: Purple Cow
3. Anniversary Giveaway Winner!

(Don’t forget to click on the images to get check out these photographers on Flickr!)

Photo by dalboz, Flickr

Mmm, can you smell the pumpkin chai-ness? I can.

Photo by HappilyKnit, Flickr

September generally means rain in my community. Comfy, spirit-lifting boots are just the ticket!

It’s late, so I’ll keep this post short. Happy Friday, everyone, and Happy Fall!

Related posts:

1. Flickr Fridays, End of Summer Edition
2. Flickr Fridays, Bokeh Edition
3. Flickr Fridays, Autumn Treats Edition

Photo courtesy SXC.hu

Guest Post by Chris Wilcox

So at the present moment, I’m sitting at my dinner table trying to re-insert myself in the creative realm and come up with a design for a website. Sometimes I look at other artists work to get inspired (yeah, big surprise right!?) Well, over the last several months, I’ve had this recurring train of thought, and the other day while I was doing my swim workout, I decided I’d write about it and see if it resonated with any of you. Oh, and by the way, thanks to Dee Wilcox (my beautiful wife and talented creative) for letting me be a guest writer on her blog.

Ok, so here it is. Usually every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I get up at 6:15am to drag myself to the gym to play racquetball with two friends of mine. We’ve been doing this for almost a year now, and even though getting up is usually the hardest part, I’m always glad I’m up and running early. Well, I’ll be honest, I’m not that bad at racquetball, and since I had been playing for several years before my friends joined me so naturally, I thought I’d be able to beat my friends pretty effortlessly. For several months, that turned out to be the case.

However, as the months progressed, I noticed that they started getting much better and that I had to start actually playing to win. Well, even though they were progressing, I started to notice that if I just exerted myself about 50%, I still could usually win. Well, this is where I started catching myself starting to do something. Almost every time, without fail, I’d find myself in the lead, maybe up by 6-7 points and poised to win. Then, it was always at this point that I’d start to slack, and within a few minutes, without fail, I’d find myself not only no longer in the lead, but behind by several points, and then, usually, I’d be congratulating my friends on beating me.

Now, it didn’t really bother me much in the beginning, but after several weeks of continually losing, I started to wonder why I naturally seemed to start backing off right when I needed to dig in. I started thinking that being in the lead is the easy part, which, strangely enough, can also be the hardest part.

So let’s leave this point behind and move on. So needless to say, this intrigued me and I started to wonder if I do this in any other area of my life. So fast forward several months down the road, and I started to notice a pattern in my life. I would find myself really start making progress in certain areas and really enjoying this new found sense of discipline, only to start to lose steam in the middle and towards the end of whatever I was doing.

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who had decided to really push himself to accomplish what he calls his “K2.” We were talking about how most major accomplishments are won and lost in the end. Recently, I decided that I wanted to start swimming as part of my cardio workout, and let me just tell you, that is no small chore. It always interests me that once I achieve a certain level of success, I meet someone or learn something that shows me I have so much farther to go. I think that is healthy personally, but none the less, I started swimming.

In the beginning, I asked what a good workout would be for a beginner and found out that 15 laps was a good start, so I got in the pool very excited to start my new workout routine only to be disappointed that I could only muster the strength to get 6 laps. Well, over the last few months, I’ve been able to get between an average of 15-20 laps in a workout, but recently, after I was on my way home from a somewhat difficult day, I decided that I wanted to push myself as hard as I ever have and really go for 1 mile in the pool (which is 35 laps-70 total). Needless to say, that was extremely intimidating as I was lucky to break beyond 20, but I was determined. I noticed that I could get to about 27 or 28, and then I was hurting. I was starting to cramp, my strength was fading, and I had swallowed so much water I was starting to feel sick, but I didn’t want to quit. Pushed through to 30 and then I was fighting. I still had 5 more to go. Just enough to be too much, but close enough that I couldn’t quit and it hit me.

This is where I usually lose. Starting was the easy part. Anybody can’t start something, but the real point is are you willing to fight for it, not in the middle where we all start to feel it, but just beyond the middle when you’re done, exhausted, have nothing left, have no more creativity and are completely frustrated. I can sit here and tell you story after story where this comes into play in my life and as I started noticing this pattern, I became educated about how I approach situations.

I want to be a finisher. We need to pay attention to the patterns in our life and ask ourselves what are we 10% away from finishing. Are you within 1 year of school and too exhausted to go on? Have you been pursing a dream of doing something only to not see any progress after several years? Are you too afraid just to take the first step?

If you’ll begin to notice the patterns in your life, you’ll be better able to start attaining your goals because you’ll know the point that you need to dig in. You could be just days away from your breakthough. You could be a week away from those few pounds you’re trying to lose. You could be a year away from the creative opportunity you’ve been working so hard for. Remember, the battle is won and lost in the last leg. Push through when you’re exhausted because chances are, you not that far from reaching your destination.

Related posts:

1. Currently Reading: How to Be an Explorer of the World
2. Get Your Creative Groove On. Part 23: Remake, Remix
3. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Set a Deadline

Last week I read an old post on Salon.com by D.A. Blyler titled, “The Seven Vices of Highly Creative People.” I laughed through most of it, but when he started talking about food and epicureanism, I felt like I should be looking over my shoulder, like any moment, someone would be point me out and say, “You! With the food vice!”

Let me set the backstory for you. One night in a bar, Byler and his friend Bobby witnessed the negative effect a talk show featuring Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, had on the barroom audience.

I can’t quite describe the level of annoyance that the bald business guru brings to a room of gentle drinkers, trying to enjoy themselves while the rest of the populace is at work, but a sudden wail from a man in the far corner, similar to that of a small dog yanked forcefully by the tail, alerts everyone that something is terribly wrong.

(A brief disclosure: I like a lot of what Covey has to say about work and habits and productivity. Is it practical? Some of the time. Will it kill your soul as Byler’s bar buddies suggest? Umm, that’s a topic for another time.)

Byler and his friend were outraged and indignant, and therefore set out to write the 7 Vices of Highly Creative People. From drinking and smoking to fashion and propensities toward bankruptcy, Byler covers it all.

While I can’t say that any of the seven vices truly enhances creativity in any way, I did recognize my own weakness for food. For me, Byler’s words ring absolutely true:

Let us bow to the wisdom of the marvelous chef Julia Child… When asked about so-called health foods and non-fat products, she gnashed her teeth and stated emphatically that she never would buy such crap, that they have nothing to do with the enjoyment of life.

Make no mistake, the highly creative do enjoy life… When it comes to food, they want to eat well, and eat properly. In other words, foie gras, fresh asparagus and filet mignon will always win out over a plate of french fries and greasy burgers. At least it will for those who are truly creative and whose imaginations permeate their lifestyles as well as their art.

I couldn’t agree more! I’m not much for foie gras, but I’ll attend a cheese and wine tasting any day. In this way, my imagination certainly permeates my lifestyle as well as my art, much like I imagine fashion does for many other artists.

So, how about you? Do you have a creative vice? If so, is it more an outlet of your personality, or does it actually enhance your creativity?

Related posts:

1. Creativity and Comfort Food
2. Why Creativity Matters
3. Creative Living with Jamie Podcast Today!

Last week we talked about how artists are more focused on process and on the act of creating, whereas business leaders have an entirely different set of goals.

• Managers are primarily concerned about the bottom line.
• Their goal is product/service/customer satisfaction.
• To achieve this goal, they are focused on group creativity and group workflow.
• They lead from terms like synergy, teamwork, and innovation.

In my interviews and talks with other creatives, it seems that artists have to take a step back and try to look at their own creative processes from a bird’s eye view in order to really define it or describe it to another person. What this tells me is that, as they’re creating, artists don’t think, “Okay, step one: I need a problem. Step two: I need to research possible solutions.”

That is how a manager thinks, but even more importantly, a manager thinks through this process in an organizational context.

The Universal Traveler’s Model

A manager’s approach to creativity and innovation usually follows Koberg and Bagnall’s Universal Traveler Model (1981).

• Accept the situation (as a challenge)
• Analyze (to discover the “world of the problem”)
• Define (the main issues and goals)
• Ideate (to generate options)
• Select (to choose among options)
• Implement (to give physical form to the idea)
• Evaluate (to review and plan again)

In this light, it kind of looks like math, doesn’t it? Why? Because managers are focused on the bottom line.

Innovation and Accounting

It’s hard for leaders to go balls to the walls with creativity, to let it all hang out, to risk everything for that one single, fantastic, breakthrough idea. It’s a business leader’s job to manage risk in order to maximize profitability.  Given these constraints one wonders how leaders can foster workplace creativity. The good news is, it can be done.

How to Manage to Optimize Creativity

When you’re leading for innovation, it’s important to remember that the same principles of the creative process apply whether you’re in a group or individual setting.

• People. You need a diverse group – different personalities, different beliefs, different skill sets.
• Environment. A risk-accepting, un-bureaucratic environment often works best, but learn from the people you’ve hired, and be willing to give them the environment they need to work at peak performance.
• Establish Expectations. Whether it’s workflow, organization, communication policies, or deadlines, establish expectations up front.
• Resources. Give your creatives the tools they need to succeed. Be it access to good stock images, conference attendance, a better system,…
• Openness to Risk. This is the single most important key to a successful creative group environment. Be willing to let your team fail, and they will… But when their efforts are still celebrated and the attempt is valued, eventually they’ll knock it out of the park and blow the top off of your expectations.

If you’re a creative, how do you like to be led in a group setting? If you’re a leader, what has frustrated you most about leading creatives? What has given you the most joy?

Related posts:

1. A Creative Process for Everyone
2. How to Get Your Creative Groove On. Week Four: Run With a Team
3. A Creative Process for Everyone, Part 2: The Artist

Let me first say this. Andy doesn’t post every day, but when he does post, it’s full of meat. His Gestalt Principles series is something I have to work through bite by bite. On Inspiration was no different, except that I found it incredibly engaging and couldn’t stop reading. I did pause frequently with the words, “Now, wait a minute…” on the tip of my tongue, only to discover that what he had to say was so true.

My toes got stepped on big time, and after I finished reading, I found I had a lot to think about.

Andy’s post is titled, “On Inspiration,” but really it should be “Inspiration: Forget About It,” or “The Myth of Creative Inspiration.” Maybe I’m being dramatic, but Andy does more than downplay inspiration and its role in the creative/design process. He calls it unnecessary.

Before you object (like I did), read this excerpt:

Doing professional work shouldn’t require that we constantly invoke some supernatural explanation for the source of our craft. We’re not sorcerers, for Pete’s sake. We’re just designers. Design is art and craft and skill and concept and execution …fueled by paying attention to things other people ignore or cannot grasp. We don’t have to imply that we graduated from Hogwart’s in order to explain what we produce. And if we’re any good, we don’t require inspiration either.

Truly, inspiration is entirely unnecessary in our work. Oh, it does a doozy on those rare occasions, but if we staked our livelihoods and our clients’ fortunes on the condition of our being truly inspired, we would all of us go bankrupt.

True, no?

And then there’s this:

When it comes to inspiration, we designers can be excruciatingly expert at hyperbole. We cite inspiration regularly, but despite our many, repetitive, flippant claims we seldom actually meet with it. What we’re talking about in almost every case is nothing more than simple motivation.

So what I’ve concluded is this:

1. Neither inspiration or motivation is required… but they make the work more enjoyable.
2. Inspiration is truly divine… it cannot be conjured. However, it can be courted.
3. Motivation helps… but for designers it comes down to skills, observation, and work ethic. (This is where resources, maintaining a creative arsenal, and trendwatching come in.)

A New Set of Questions
Andy’s post really made me think about my own work ethic and approach to design, and it made me reconsider the ideas I present here on Creative Perch each day. I cannot promise inspiration, but I am dedicated to getting the ball rolling. So, I have a new set of questions for you:

1. How do you stay motivated?
2. When have you felt inspired?

I’m particularly curious about the idea that inspiration most easily comes to us when we are not focused on ourselves. Do you think that’s true?

Related posts:

1. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Read for Inspiration
2. Creativity vs. Design
3. Top 10 Go-To Websites for Your Morning Fix of Creative Inspiration

I’ve spent the last eight days on a physically relaxing vacation with my wonderful husband and our good friends. My husband soaked in the sun and water and couch time and wondered what could possibly be more relaxing. I, on the other hand, found my mind constantly trying to work on problems. All the free time I had at my disposal failed to give my mind a break. Our very busy vacation to New York last summer was far more relaxing for me.

I learned this week that I need a fair amount of distraction to really allow my mind to rest, while other creatives need complete physical and mental rest.

So, I’m curious – what kind of vacation is most creatively rejuvenating for you?

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1. Every Monday is Tip Day! Begin a Creative Practice
2. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Take a Break
3. When Something’s Gotta Give

Photo courtesy SXC.hu

Last week I wrote a post titled “A Creative Process for Everyone” that sparked a lot of feedback and Twitter retweets. It generated more conversation than I expected, and so I promised to flesh it out more this week.

If you remember, we compared the artist’s creative process with that of a manager or leader. Per the Wallace Model, the artist’s process looks a bit like this:

• Preparation—definition and research
• Incubation—setting the matter aside
• Illumination—the sudden appearance of a solution
• Verification—testing the solution

Basically, the difference comes down to a difference in goals. The artist is focused on creating art and the process of creating art, while the business leader has a goal to meet, be it a PR goal, a financial goal, or a product development goal.

A reader on Twitter helped me see this more clearly when she said, “Process is my thing.” I went on to read a blog post she had written on this topic, and I realized that for her, creating is about the process of discovery and seeing where the art takes her. She doesn’t work with a predestined idea of how the art should be. Instead, she lets it take her where it wants or needs to go.

Her friend, with whom she argues these kinds of points, is more of my persuasion. I must work with an end in mind. I get my supplies together, I do my research, I begin with a sketch and then wait for the concept to become clear before I fill in the details. My steps are rather defined, as I work through the process rationally.

At first I wondered whether my creative process is less like an artist and more like a leader or manager. However, I’ve come to realize that even though the individual elements of my creative process may be more defined, if you look closely at the “process” person’s creative process, you’ll see the same elements – the loose creation of a color palette, painting slowly for a bit, stepping back to see where the art is going, and then vigorously moving forward as the direction becomes clear, refining along the way. Preparation, incubation, illumination, verification.

I have never participated in an intuitive painting or art class, but I’ve read about many of my online friends’ experiences, and I’ve considered how freeing the experience might be. In my everyday life, I must have a plan, and I’ve applied the same approach to my art. I’m curious to know – As an artist or creative, are you a process person, or are the elements of your creative process more defined?

More on this topic to come next week!

Related posts:

1. A Creative Process for Everyone
2. A Creative Process for Everyone, Part 3: The Manager
3. My Creative Process

Understanding the creative process is valuable because it can help you maximize your own creativity and personal approach. However, sometimes understanding the elements of the creative process can be confusing. There has been an ongoing attempt to break this very individualistic process down into doable steps so that it can be leveraged more effectively in a business environment. If you Google “steps of the creative process” or “creative thinking models,” you’ll receive a wide variety of results that can be a bit difficult to sort through and break down in an applicable way. In my research, I’ve noticed two lines of emphasis: the artist’s model and the business leader’s model.

Photo by GERAS, Courtesy SXC.hu

The Artist’s Creative Process

An artist’s creative process rarely follows a defined order of steps. Creating is a right-brained activity that occasionally taps into the left side of the brain. However, creativity requires an ability to suspend disbelief, the ability to be irrational, and overall a greater freedom than the left side of the brain typically prefers. Back in 1926 Graham Wallace proposed a model for this process that is still widely taught today:

• Preparation—definition and research
• Incubation—setting the matter aside
• Illumination—the sudden appearance of a solution
• Verification—testing the solution

In the real world, this may be the process by which a clothing designer researches trends, decides he or she wants to develop a new line of dresses, lets the idea rest and works on something else until a new idea occurs to him or her, and then begins the process of creating the idea and testing it in the marketplace. Many times, however, these steps run into each other and are not so easily defined.

Photo Courtesy iStockPhoto

The Manager’s Creative Process

As the world descended into a global recession last year, business leaders quickly recognized that greater creativity and innovation would be needed to pull the economy out of the rut into which it had been dug. Thus, managers and creative directors the world over are looking for ways to leverage the creative process in an organizational model. Many different creativity models for the organizational environment have been developed and tweaked since Wallace’s first model was published; however, the one I have noticed to be most referenced in business texts today is Koberg and Bagnall’s Universal Traveler Model (1981).

• Accept the situation (as a challenge)
• Analyze (to discover the “world of the problem”)
• Define (the main issues and goals)
• Ideate (to generate options)
• Select (to choose among options)
• Implement (to give physical form to the idea)
• Evaluate (to review and plan again)

In this scenario, a manager may call his team together, present a challenge and begin a brainstorming session. After the best idea is chosen, the team will work to implement and evaluate it.

In the next few weeks we’ll break down and compare these two models and see what we can learn and how we can benefit from them. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what your personal creative process looks like. Is it more like the artist model or the manager model?

(For a fuller explanation of the progressive definition of the creative process, please visit http://www.directedcreativity.com/pages/WPModels.html)

Related posts:

1. A Creative Process for Everyone, Part 2: The Artist
2. A Creative Process for Everyone, Part 3: The Manager
3. My Creative Process

Be Creative Everyday

A friend I follow on Twitter often comments, “Sending art out into the world.” This is usually just after she has shipped a new series of commissioned art or prints out to her customers.

To me, sending art out into the world is the heart and philosophy behind guerrilla art. There are also added benefits of watching people’s reactions or sharing an important social justice message.

With this in mind, a few weekends ago I spent a Saturday morning creating this macrame and Fimo tag. Later that day as my husband and I were leaving the farmer’s market, I tagged a pole in a large covered parking area. This parking area is free on the weekends and gets a lot of exposure. My little “Be Creative Everyday” tag is barely visible from a distance, but the curious observer will see my message.

It isn’t much, but it’s a start. This small experience of tagging a pole was really quite liberating and got me excited about creating more tags in themed colors, like love notes for Valentines Day and lazy day quotes on Labor Day.

Have you gotten your guerrilla art groove on yet?

Related posts:

1. Get Your Creative Groove On. Part 22: Engage in Guerrilla Art
2. Flickr Fridays, Guerrilla Art Edition

How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith

I came across this book first at the Urban Outfitters in Denver last Christmas and again in Dallas a month or two ago. I didn’t buy it because I didn’t have time to really look through it, and I can be a picky book buyer. However, I was picking up a few items on Amazon and noticed I could get this book for an incredibly great deal (just putting me over the $25 Super Saver free shipping mark ), and since I know I like Keri Smith, I thought, “Why not?” Into my cart it went.

I’m glad I decided to not be so picky and let a new book into my collection. This one is fantastic.

How to Use This Book - Instructions for Life

I especially love the instructions for reading the book. In my opinion these instructions should be applied to life as well. Treat life as an experiment! And start with whatever makes you feel a twinge of excitement.

Creativity Meets The Scientific Method

I’ll touch more on this last one over the weekend, but let me just say, Never underestimate the power of field notes, and Observe. Collect. Analyze. Report. Always.

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1. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Choose to Be an Explorer
2. What are You Doing for World Creativity and Innovation Week?
3. World Creativity and Innovation Week

Jessica Hagy’s blog Indexed has a way of making reality poignantly clear.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have too many ideas or too much going on to focus in on one clear direction. When it comes to creative inspiration (and really, life in general), sometimes a clear view is exactly what you need.

Related posts:

1. Art is Everywhere. This Week: Early Adopters on Indexed
2. Inspiration is for the Birds
3. Top 10 Go-To Websites for Your Morning Fix of Creative Inspiration

Which got me thinking, where do I go for my morning creative inspiration fix? After I’ve gotten the coffee going, of course…

So here’s my list of Top 10 Go-To Websites for Your Morning Fix of Creative Inspiration, in alphabetical order because that’s the order in which they appear in my feed reader, and thus in which I read them.

1. ChangeOrder. When I first discovered the power of being able to aggregate my favorite blogs into a feed reader, this was one of the first sites I chose. When I need a reminder about design principles, color inspiration, or even business advice, I turn to ChangeOrder for insight. David’s longevity, wisdom, sense of humor, and insight come through in every post.
2. Decor 8. Holly Becker magically provides a seemingly impossible amount of decor, design, and fashion inspiration through her Decor 8 blog each day. I am constantly amazed by her finds, as well as the depth of her reporting and her beautiful photography. Even if you’re not a home decor person, I’m sure you’ll find inspiration at Decor8.
3. Design Sponge. Grace Bonney, the writer and chief creator behind Design Sponge, fills each post with creativity and insight. Some days I learn savvy business advice; others, I learn something I never knew about decoupage. Grace also posts several times a day, so my feed reader is constantly bursting at the seams with new bits of inspiration.
4. E.Soule. My flirtation with Polaroid photography began eleven years ago when I earned my first paycheck as a waitress and purchased my very first Polaroid camera. However, my obsession began much more recently when I discovered Elizabeth Soule’s film photography website. Beautiful work! There simply aren’t words.
5. Fast Company Blogs. Fast Company has established a reputation for keeping its finger on the pulse of (nearly!) all of the artistic and technological innovation happening across the globe. They offer blogs on several different themes. From Fashion Week to the latest Gizmodo feature, Fast Company is my go-to for creativity and inspiration news.
6. Gwen Bell. I know I’ve mentioned Gwen before, but I just can’t leave her out here. From her lists of recommended reading on Delicious to her occasional but always witty and thought-provoking blog posts, Gwen’s blog is always on my morning “must check” list.
7. HOW Mag. Admittedly, the HOW Mag blogs are brief. But little bits of inspiration can go a long way. Definitely makes the list.
8. Marc Johns. Marc Johns is a semi-infamous illustrator of Post-it Notes. I just love his work. He has a new book out, although Amazon delivery appears to be delayed.
9. Red Velvet Art. I’ve been following the Red Velvet Girls for a while now, and I just love their creative work. They have such flair, such style! And they each have their own individual perspective, which adds more dimension to the site than your average personal art blog.
10. Seth Godin. Everyone knows Seth Godin – at least in principle. And if you don’t, you need to. Seth is a marketing, technology, and innovation treasure trove. Sometimes Seth’s post inspire me; most often, they challenge me to do better work and to make today more remarkable than the day before.

There are so many other amazing, inspirational sites that I cannot impress upon you enough the value of a feed reader. However, these sites have made my Top 10 list because they post often enough that I can literally visit their sites every morning and be inspired. I hope you’ll incorporate them into your own morning ritual of creative inspiration.

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1. 5 Secrets to Frugal Inspiration
2. Inspiration is for the Birds
3. Creative Inspiration During Cold Season

Well, maybe a little. I knew he was very outgoing and that I was more introspective and less vocal. Over the years we’ve learned how to complement one another, but it has and still does take a lot of work. A lesson from the Myers-Briggs personality typing before we got married would have been extremely helpful.

You see, he’s an ENFP, and I’m an INTJ. Which basically means that on all but one measure, we’re incredibly opposite. And both very creative.

MBTI and Creativity

For me, the differences between my husband and me turn the traditional concept of the creative personality on its head. As it turns out, a more complete understanding of the Meyers-Briggs testing measures holds the key.

Creative individuals tend to be more intuitive (“N”) rather than sensory (“S”), more perceiving rather than judging (“J”), more extroverted (“E”) rather than introverted(“I”) and more thinking (“T”) rather than feeling (“F”). ¹

This means that the ultimate creative personality would be an ENTP. This group of individuals makes up 3.2% of the population.² Chris and I are a cross-section of that group. His personality type shares the extroverted, intuitive, and perceptive qualities of the “perfect” creative personality and encompasses 8.1% of the population.³ My personality type encompasses only the intuitive and thinking aspects and makes up less than 1% of the population.⁴ We’re fit to be tied.

Maximizing Creativity

Is it any wonder then that Chris and I are often at our creative best when we are working together? We certainly have different viewpoints and approaches, but our differences make our ideas stronger.

If you don’t know your MBTI, take the Jung Typology quiz for free online and find out. I’ve taken it multiple times over the last three years and found it to be very effective. Knowing and recognizing the dominant traits in your personality and in the personalities of those close to you can open the way for new understanding and maximized creativity.

Who in your life strengthens you creatively? How can you apply what you know about your MBTI profile to maximize your personal creativity?

1. Thorne, Avril and Harrison Gough. Portraits of Type: An MBTI Research Compendium. Palo Alto, California. Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. 1991
2-4. http://www.knowyourtype.com

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1. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Identify Yourself
2. Can Creativity Change the World?
3. Every Monday is Tip Day! This Week: Connect with a Salesman

Art vs. Design Competition

Artists Wanted, a collaborative project between several New York City artists and creative organizations, recently issued a new call for artists to help settle the score between Art vs. Design.

You can submit your own art or design piece for a chance to win one of two grand prizes (over $11,000 in prizes including exhibiting your work at a gala reception at a major Modern Art Musem in New York City). The fee to submit is $25.

Alternatively, you can participate in the challenge by voting. Simply choose which moves you more: Art or Design?

I’m working on my own submission (due by May 31st!) and voting in the meantime. Will you participate with me? Let’s settle the score once and for all between Art and Design.

Related posts:

1. Creativity vs. Design
2. TED Talk: The Design Genius of Charles and Ray Eames
3. Dolls, Birds, and Wood-Burned Design