How to picture creativity
After reading a recent article in
HOW Magazine based on the upcoming book
The Creative Process Illustrated, I was inspired to think about and
illustrate my own creative process.
Though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how a great idea forms, my process of getting to there usually takes a similar path:
- Start with notepad and pen (I like the Uniball Vision fine point pen)
- At the top of the page, write down the date and pertinent project details
- Do creative research—both online and offline
- In the sidebar, jot down words that come to mind: check thesaurus.com for additional keywords
- Sketch possible patterns, icons or motifs
- Create color palettes that may be appropriate (in colored pencil or by noting PMS color)
- Jot down font ideas or print font samples
- Start sketching layout thumbnails (and in my case, it’s literal—I work on a small scale!)
- Put stars next to the best ideas: start developing these ideas further on the computer
I try to keep my sketches neat, as I sometimes scan and email them to clients before I jump on the computer. But I try not to let that keep me from pushing myself and expressing all my ideas. Sometimes that so-called “reject” turns out be a winner!
How do you picture your own creativity?
Read a Q&A with Picturing Creativity book authors here.
