Coming Up With Artistic Concepts Is Not About Reinventing The Wheel

by Hussain Almossawi, creator of “The Innovator’s Handbook“

As an structure or design skilled, you already know that creativity is vital to your success. However generally, it may be robust to develop new concepts, particularly once you really feel caught in a rut.

It may be tempting to really feel that your creativity is simply pretty much as good as your final mission and that arising with one thing new and modern is a matter of ranging from scratch. However that’s not essentially the case.

Actually, maybe the most effective items of recommendation on the subject of artistic pondering is to not stress over the ultimate consequence an excessive amount of and benefit from the course of. Ultimately, the tip purpose can be to create one thing distinctive and particular. Those that created lasting concepts usually by no means imagined on the time that their work can be remembered or celebrated, however they let their ardour and persistence drive them by each hurdle, one step at a time.

Let’s have a look at six suggestions that may assist you to to give you artistic concepts, even once you really feel such as you’re caught.

1. Don’t Stress It.

Among the best methods to place your self in a creativity pit is by placing an excessive amount of stress on your self. In the event you always fear that your concepts aren’t adequate, you’re more likely to really feel caught.

As a substitute of stressing about being artistic, attempt to calm down and let the concepts circulation. The extra you stress your self, the tougher you will see that it to give you something.

Think about that you simply’re simply enjoying round with the thought at hand (even when skilled deadlines loom) and see what occurs. Chances are you’ll be stunned on the concepts that come to you once you’re not nervous about whether or not or not they’re adequate.

2. You Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel.

You’ve doubtless heard this earlier than: “Don’t waste time reinventing the wheel.” And for good cause – it’s usually higher to construct on what already exists than it’s to begin from scratch.

There’s no must really feel like each concept you may have must be model new and utterly distinctive. Actually, a number of the most profitable concepts are constructed on current ones. It’s all about standing on the shoulders of the giants who got here earlier than you and taking the thought in a brand new route.

Take into consideration how one can construct on what already exists and put your individual spin on it. This doesn’t imply that it is best to copy others’ work however quite be impressed by it and add your individual twist.

3. Don’t Copy, However Be Impressed by Others’ Work.

Copycats abound in our world. It is smart when you concentrate on it. Those that have created world-changing improvements create a way of surprise and admiration inside us. So, it’s solely pure that we might need to attempt to replicate their success.

Nonetheless, whereas it’s essential to be impressed by others’ work, creating your individual concepts is important. In any other case, you threat being a copycat quite than an innovator.

So how are you going to discover the stability? A method is to take inspiration from a wide range of sources and all types of industries whereas additionally staying true to your individual voice. This fashion, you may create concepts firmly rooted in what you’re enthusiastic about whereas being influenced by the good minds that got here earlier than you.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Carry on Different Abilities.

Working alone could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it may be useful to have uninterrupted time to discover your individual concepts. However, it may be isolating and make it troublesome to get suggestions or perspective.

To create really modern concepts, it’s usually useful to deliver on different skills. This could possibly be within the type of a colleague, good friend, or member of the family. However it is also an expert, resembling a coach or marketing consultant.

Having somebody to bounce concepts off of may also help you to see issues in a brand new gentle and give you options it’s possible you’ll not have considered by yourself. Collaboration is a particularly highly effective instrument for concept era, and the extra various your crew is, the stronger your concepts could possibly be pushed to the extremes of what you thought doable.

5. Keep Curious.

Probably the most exceptional character trait of a top quality designer is a way of curiosity. When was the final time you requested your self: “I ponder how that works?” Or “Why did they do it that means?”

Asking questions is an effective way to open up your thoughts and develop new concepts. Once you’re curious concerning the world round you, you’re extra more likely to see issues in a brand new gentle and give you ingenious options.

If you end up feeling caught, attempt to faucet into your sense of curiosity. Ask your self questions on the issue at hand and see the place they lead you. Many A to B paths take a flip towards an sudden C vacation spot that yields way more artistic options.

6. There’s No Proper or Flawed.

One of many largest myths about creativity is that there’s a proper and unsuitable approach to do it. This couldn’t be farther from the reality! In actuality, there are countless methods to be artistic, and what works for one individual could not work for one more.

Discovering a course of that works for you and means that you can faucet into your creativity is important. There’s no must power your self to observe a selected components or methodology. As a substitute, experiment and mess around till you discover one thing that feels pure and comfy for you.

Many instances, superb concepts are killed of their infancy as a result of we’re too nervous about them being possible, doable, and even presentable to the general public. So as an alternative, we play it protected to keep away from embarrassing ourselves.

However the actuality is that it is best to go loopy and wild, as a result of there isn’t any proper or unsuitable throughout your ideation and exploration phases. All loopy concepts could be adjusted to adapt to actuality when it’s time for execution. The impossibly executable concepts usually result in new improvements and manufacturing processes as a result of they permit us to seek out new options and ask the appropriate questions. Dream massive and go all out on blue sky concepts!

Give Your self Freedom to Design.

Design innovation requires a little bit of dangerous freedom. Nice minds keep curious and open-minded. Dive into your sense of curiosity and ask your self questions concerning the world round you – and let your self be impressed by the sudden on the earth round you.

So, is there a proper or unsuitable approach to be artistic? Solely once you stifle your potential by falling into limiting beliefs and fears of the unknown. The essential factor is that you simply’re snug along with your course of, permitting you to faucet into your creativity. So go forth and create!

Hussain Almossawi is a famend designer and innovator who has labored throughout industries around the globe creating and consulting for corporations, together with Nike, Apple, Google, Adidas, EA Sports activities, Intel, and Ford. In 2019, Hussain based Mossawi Studios, a multi-disciplinary design studio specializing in creating memorable, iconic, and daring experiences. He’s the creator of “The Innovator’s Handbook: A Brief Information to Unleashing Your Artistic Mindset.”