The Sure-Fire Cure for Creative Block

I teach design and animation courses, and one of the things that students have the most difficulty with is coming up with their own ideas. Yes, ideas are difficult to come up with. And when coupled with a deadline, the pressure can be even more daunting…

So, what’s the secret to being creative under pressure?

The answer is: Add a constraint.

Whether writing or coming up with something to draw, it’s important to operate with a set of constraints. Constraints are limitations – or – if you prefer – boundaries with which to focus your work around.

Constraints can be limiting – but a well-defined constraint can give you a solid starting point when faced with a blank canvas. Put another way, unlimited freedom to create what you want can potentially lead to creative paralysis.

In art school, assignments are always accompanied with constraints – via a specific topic or theme (i.e. Pick a vehicle from the 1930’s) or a technical limitation (i.e. use acrylics) or both.

Some of the topics or technical limitations will not appeal to some individuals. But the ones who complain are probably missing the entire point, which is:

Being creative involves TRAINING yourself to be creative, and this comes about when given parameters or constraints. Use the constraints to test your creativity!

So the next time you’re faced with a blank canvas or a blank word processing file, give yourself a constraint to work with. You may be surprised by how set limitations can be simultaneously liberating.

How do you fight creative blocks?
Sound off in the comments below!

-Krishna

Krishna July 30, 2012 creative advice, creative block, writer's block