Creativity and innovation are essential skills for any professional who wants to stand out in their field and solve complex problems. But how do you keep up with the latest trends, techniques, and tools that can inspire and enhance your creative work? Here are some strategies that can help you stay on top of the game and avoid getting stuck in a rut.
One way to stay informed and inspired by creative trends is to follow a variety of sources that showcase different perspectives, styles, and disciplines. You can use social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, magazines, books, and online platforms to discover and learn from the best practices and innovations of others. Look for sources that are relevant to your industry, but also explore those that are outside your comfort zone or niche. You might find unexpected connections, insights, and ideas that can spark your own creativity.
Yess like I'm in charge of the fashion trends for heavy metal wear as well as hip hop. I'm using color palettes that are relevant and that also bring the two together on a friendly way. I'm stoked.
Another way to keep up with creative trends is to experiment with new tools that can help you create, collaborate, and communicate your work. Whether it's a software, an app, a device, or a method, you can use new tools to challenge yourself, improve your skills, and expand your possibilities. You can also use them to test your assumptions, prototype your ideas, and get feedback from others. Don't be afraid to try something new, even if it's unfamiliar or intimidating. You might discover a new way to express your vision, solve a problem, or reach your audience.
Don’t spend too much time evaluating if you should try something new or not - the best way to be creative is to just do it. As long as you’re not offensive or destructive, what’s the worst that can happen? Trying new things is always awkward at first because you’re leaving your comfort zone, but once you do it often enough, experimenting becomes your new comfort zone.
A third way to stay on top of creative trends is to join a community of like-minded people who share your passion, interests, and goals. You can find and join online or offline communities that are related to your field, industry, or topic. You can also create your own community by inviting people you admire, respect, or want to learn from. By being part of a community, you can benefit from the collective knowledge, experience, and inspiration of others. You can also contribute to the community by sharing your work, feedback, and resources.
A fourth way to stay on top of creative trends is to reflect on your values and ethics as a creative professional. You can ask yourself questions like: What is the purpose of your work? What impact do you want to have? What are the ethical implications of your work? How do you balance your personal and professional goals? By reflecting on your values, you can align your work with your mission, vision, and principles. You can also identify and address any gaps, conflicts, or challenges that might arise from following or creating trends.
A fifth way to stay on top of creative trends is to learn from feedback, both positive and negative. You can seek and receive feedback from different sources, such as your clients, colleagues, mentors, peers, or audience. You can also give feedback to others, as a way of learning from their work and perspectives. By learning from feedback, you can improve your work, adapt to changing needs and expectations, and discover new opportunities and directions. You can also use feedback as a source of motivation, recognition, and support.
A sixth way to stay on top of creative trends is to keep a portfolio of your work, both finished and unfinished. You can use a portfolio to document your process, progress, and achievements. You can also use it to showcase your work to potential clients, employers, or collaborators. By keeping a portfolio, you can track your growth, learning, and development as a creative professional. You can also use it to review your work, celebrate your successes, and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
It’s not a creative person’s job to follow trends, in fact it’s antithetical to the pursuit. Let the consumer chase the tends you invent.