Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a good weekend!
So, I am currently a graphic design student finishing up my BFA. I also have a internship, freelance jobs, and a actual career position starting soon. My school is an advance program so I have a lot of my plate already, on top of everything else.
Lately I have been feeling...not so burnt out...but unmotivated to work on my projects or just jump into the creative side. Soooo....how do you guys get your motivation? how do you jumpstart your creativity? how do you get out of a creative block rut?
[font=verdana]art shopfor studying motivation, I look at "studyblr" on tumblr.
for creative motivation, I listen to my favourite music ~
Music is good, and reading random things can help.
Inspiration can be found anywhere. c:
I feel like actually looking at art and stuff can help with motivation (though looking at something "too good" can be scary and have the opposite effect I guess). Like for example, reading webcomics and such can also get me in the mood to draw.
So maybe looking at graphics could give you some motivation. If you have some older work you could look at that too 'cause thinking of how you have improved could inspire you to make better stuff.
Music, for me, is always a really good motivator. Sometimes I find songs that really just pull me in and start stirring the creative pot. Though when that's not enough, I push myself into working out. Usually a walk or a vigorous 30 mins on an elliptical helps me out tremendously. It burns off my frustrations from the day and allows me to focus again.
When I need a boost to get working again, I try to listen to music I've never heard before or don't normally listen to, either on the radio or something random on youtube. Sometimes trying a new food helps too. I guess it's like getting a change of scenery, but for my ears/tastebuds? And I'm not a really adventurous eater lol but even little things like a different flavor of something I already like can help.
I like listening to some of my favorite music, or reading something fun like an old, familiar book. I also like taking a nice, hot bath with a fun bath bomb with some nice colors and scents to really perk me up and make me feel more creative.
Good music is usually a strong motivator, but if you're having trouble finding motivation I would recommend unplugging for a few hours. No phone, Facebook, youtube etc. Maybe do some stretches to help wake up. If you're running into problems finding ideas at all then stop. Take a break, go do something unrelated and let yourself breathe. These moments are a good time for other projects that have been put off, whether it's cleaning, or something else.
I always feel sooo much more motivated after spending time at an art museum. It's nice to be surrounded by so many different art styles. Maybe that might help c:
I hate to be the cause of an addiction but....caffeine. I had to quit due to addiction to soda but it always got me either cleaning like Cinderella or doing art like Rapunzel.
I am often inspired by my art supplies themselves. It only takes me halfway usually (I still don't know WHAT I want to make) but if I grab a supply or medium I haven't used in a while, it gets me all excited to crack into it again and maybe try a new art style. I happen to like mixing mediums, so sometimes I'll grab a color I haven't been able to use before (insanely neon gel pens…) and I'll say to myself, "maybe if I wash over this with watercolor paint, it won't claw my eyes out every time I look at it without sunglasses."
To be honest, though, I'd suggest that you just take a break if you can. Sometimes the muse needs a rest.