5 Tips for Creative Professionals
Are you a creative professional? Do you ever feel undermined by your personal creative process? Do you ever feel like a fraud? Do you feel like the only one in your field faking it ‘til you make it?!
Art is my life and my life is art.
-Yoko Ono
Photo Courtesy of Seth Dobie.
I’m here to let you know that you’re not the only one who feels this way. You can make anything happen. You know what you’re doing. I personally know that these thoughts can be hard to believe, but they’re true. So, if any of my questions above resonated with you, check out my top 5 tips for creative professionals:
OWN YOUR PROCESS
As creatives, our work processes vary. Sometimes my creative process personally changes from project to project. If you’re anything like me, you might find it difficult to be a designer in a world where we are expected to show our process from concept to completion, to show our work, and the steps we took to get from point A to point Z.
In school (if you went to school), we are trained to always show our work. We sketch and draw and design 10 concepts when we only need 3. We are taught to go through the motions and methods of design, and I get it. I completely understand the importance of this process. Most things aren’t perfect the first time around. There are corrections and adjustments to be made. So, for a potential employer to see these steps helps them understand your process so they know who they’re hiring.
I find this difficult though, because sometimes my projects are simply the realization of a concept or idea. My A to Z is literally those 2 steps. A. Think of an idea. Z. Create said idea. And there’s nothing in between. I often work best by creating and developing as I go, because that’s the way my brain works. My final product always comes out so much better than a sketch could ever convey. However, I’ve had industry professionals make me feel inadequate for this process as if seeing the final product isn’t proof enough that I can get the job done.
I was recently chatting with a friend who brought up this issue as well and I felt such relief in knowing that I wasn’t the only one. I believe that if I think or feel something, then there’s a good chance someone else feels it to. So, if this sounds like you, know that you’re not alone. You are not the only one who struggles with the restrictions that come with designing for a company.
So how do I deal? I’ve learned to own my process. My portfolio contains projects where all I have to show is the finished product.It also contains projects that show the process, whether that process is an image that sparked inspiration or 17 sketches. So, whether you’re like me, or your process is entirely different from mine, that is what makes you unique as a designer. Own it.
2. FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT, BABY
I’m going to let you in on a mind-blowing fact. We all fake it ‘til we make it. We cannot possibly exit school, or training, or an entry level job knowing everything there is to know about everything. Even advanced professionals need to fake it sometimes. It’s what we do. It’s why we are creative. Creativity is not limited only to the things we make, but the way we solve problems. Of course, it is important to be honest with yourself and your capabilities. However, you don’t need to limit yourself to only what you know.
The wonderful thing about the technological age we live in is that we have all the information available to us via internet. I know successful industry professionals who have admitted to YouTube tutorials on the regular. It’s just like Marie Forleo always says, “Everything is figure-out-able.” And this is especially true today. Don’t be afraid to expand your work ethic to that of which you do not know, but know you can learn.
3. YES, YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL
I think this section ties in well with the previous one, because the “fake it ‘til you make it” mentality can contribute to impostor syndrome. However, I’ve learned that no matter how much of an expert I’ve become in certain fields, I still suffer from impostor syndrome all the time. Why? Because instead of owning my capabilities, I compare myself to others. And as I’ve mentioned before, all creatives are unique so why in the world should we be comparing ourselves to others? We shouldn’t.
There are so many motivational speakers, life coaches, and inspirational entrepreneurs who have touched base on this topic before me. So, I’m going to leave it to one of my faves, Marie Forleo (2 references in one post. Am I that obvious?) to give her advice in this video on “How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome and Stop Feeling Like A Fraud.”
Personally, I overcome this obstacle by surrounding myself with cute (and sometimes cheesy) affirmation cards, like this adorable, red card from Moo. All methods aside, I truly believe the best way we can contribute to the creative world is to be honest in our work. If you do that, then there’s no way you can be a fraud.
4. NOT EVERY JOB IS FOR YOU
You need to know, like really know, that not every job is going to be right for you and you won’t be right for every job. And that’s okay. It’s a little bit of an ego buster to think this way, but in reality, it’s a very good thing. For instance, some people don’t mind sitting behind a computer all day, while others do. I have a friend who will not accept a fashion design job that requires her to sit behind a computer screen all day because she is hands on, and computers are not a big part of her process.
Remember what I said about owning your process? My friend prefers to draw her designs by hand rather than in Illustrator (and her hand illustrations are amazing) so for her, a computer age job does not jive with her vibe. And that is okay.
As designers, we are expected to meld to the aesthetic of a brand, which makes sense. But that doesn’t mean you should force yourself in to a bubble you don’t want to be in just to work. While it doesn’t hurt to expand your creative horizons and try new things, if you have a style or a process that isn’t working for your current job or isn’t fitting in with a job you’ve applied for, then get out there and find a place that is more fitting for you as a designer. You will be much happier in the long run.
5. CREATE. WHATEVER IT IS, JUST CREATE!
“Create” wood rock gifted to me. Courtesy of World Market.
Creativity is a muscle, and if you don’t exercise that muscle you will lose the inspiration and desire to keep going. Being creative is like working out. When you make a conscious decision to start going to the gym, getting yourself there is the biggest step. Once you start going, and you get in to a routine, it becomes easier and easier to get yourself there and work out.
When you take a long hiatus from working out, it becomes more difficult to jump start again. It feels like you’re starting from square one. Honestly, it can be really depressing, but you must pull yourself out. Once you allow yourself to make the decision to start again, you jump start that muscle, and it’s as if you never left.
Creativity is the same way. If you abandon your creativity, it will abandon you. You will always have your skills and muscle memory, but your inspiration and drive need to be fed regularly. So, when you find yourself lacking the desire to get back on the create-train, just create! No matter what it is, or how difficult it seems. Perhaps you’re a graphic designer but feel like painting, or you’re a painter and feel like writing. Let go of fear, forget about mistakes. Whatever it is, just create! Do whatever it takes to get back in shape, because once you do it’ll feel so fulfilling.
Have any tips you’d like to share with creative professionals or any stories about overcoming these obstacles? Please feel free to share in the comments section below!