BECI ORPIN //
DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR
Get personal. Personal projects require the most
motivation, but they give you creative freedom
and a chance to experiment with mediums and
ideas you wouldn’t otherwise get to work with.
Plus, they can become part of your folio and lead
to commercial work, too. Switch things up. If
you’re in a creative rut and things aren’t working,
move on to another project – something
completely different. If that fails, go for a walk
or a bike ride! Experience the world. The best
inspiration comes from actual experiences, not
looking at images on screens. If you can, make a
decisive effort to go to exhibitions, travel, see live
music, and eat delicious food. Those things hit
all your senses, and that’s where good inspiration
comes from. Do some sleuthing. If you find an
image you really like online, research that image- who made it? Why did they make it? What else
did they make? This can lead to a whole world
of inspiration you’ll never find on social media.
Invest in a sketchbook. Writing things down
about briefs you’re working on; experimenting
with different media; and taking notes about new
things you discover, all help with creativity. It’s
a different process to working on a computer,
and a great reference for future projects.
GRACE MCQUILTEN //
FOUNDER OF THE SOCIAL STUDIO
Look, and look again. Look closely at
everything, great and small – it can be a
constant source of surprise, revelation,
dismay, and often inspiration. The same can
be said for the other senses: sound, smell,
taste and touch. Celebrate creative talent.
Sometimes being creative is as simple as
recognising the creativity in your midst, and
encouraging others to develop their skills
and ideas. Be generous with your time.
Move your legs. Crossing geographic, cultural
and language boundaries, the simple act of
walking creates space and time for ideas to
develop, while also linking those ideas to the
bigger world we’re part of. It can be a political
act as well as a personal one. Make room
for creativity. That may mean listening to the
ticking of a clock, procrastinating, twitching in
your seat or staring blankly at a wall. It also
means turning off notifications for new
emails and text messages (I know, I know!).
Find your moral compass. Be mindful
of the impact of your own work on others,
and the world. Be self-critical and open
to feedback.COMMUNITY
DESIGN
get involved