Navigating the dreaded Creative Funk…

One of the toughest challenges of being a designer is when your creative well runs dry. You might have experienced a golden period where everything you touched sparkled, only to suddenly find yourself in a creative wasteland, surrounded by crumpled paper, empty white spaces, and failed ideas.

The current climate doesn’t help much either. If, like me, you work from home, finding that elusive spark can be a daily struggle, constantly battling confidence-sapping demons. There’s only so much inspiration you can draw from sites like Pinterest and Designspiration before your creative hamster falls off its wheel.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not an oncoming train. There are ways to navigate this creative desert and turn it to your advantage. First, don’t beat yourself up—this is perfectly normal. We’re not infallible, and sometimes our minds need rest and recharge. Embrace the downtime. Get moving—go for a walk, as fresh air works wonders for the soul. Exercise releases endorphins that can recharge your brain with positive energy. Connect with friends, fellow designers, or like-minded business people. Read and write more; writing down thoughts can help ignite your creative fires. Play some video games—escapism can be priceless, relieving the pressure we often place on ourselves. Soon enough, your mind will be brimming with ideas again.

I often find that a trip to London (or any city) offers fantastic creative motivation, like a design sweet shop. I absorb everything—advertising, colours, fonts, menus, shop windows—because inspiration is all around us if we open our eyes. My best ideas often come from these visits, sparked by something new or challenging that raises the bar for my next project.

Creativity naturally ebbs and flows. I take advantage of the highs, knowing that this purple patch will eventually end. During these intense bursts, some of my best work has emerged, especially when facing tight deadlines. This forced focus helps combat overthinking, much like doing homework the night before it’s due. Time, or a lack of it, can be your best friend in these situations.

A blank page or a bad creative brief can be daunting for even the most seasoned designers. If a project doesn’t spark ideas, ask more questions. Never be afraid to push back and challenge the brief. An excellent brief leads to phenomenal creative output. I once worked with a designer who feared the white page, but given a small idea, they would often exceed my expectations and deliver pure magic.

The creative funk will always exist, but I’ve found that accepting it and living in harmony with it is far better than declaring war on it. Trust in yourself and your ability; moments of brilliance are often just a walk or a talk away. You’re not always going to be in the zone—it’s a rollercoaster of good days, bad days, good weeks, and bad weeks. Embrace it; this is all part of your design and creative DNA.