need ideas?
November 6, 2008
Recently I was kind of stuck on an assignment… not coming up with any good, usable ideas and feeling that creeping sense of despair: “I will never come up with another good concept again in my whole life. I’m doomed!” (Ok, I’m a little melodramatic, I know this.)
So in the afternoon, after wallowing around the studio and much teeth gnashing, Colin invited me to take a walk through the woods with him and talk about it — saying that I knew what to do in situations like this because it’s been part of the illustration course I have been teaching this year.
Oh yeah. He’s so smart. :)
So we left and ideas started flowing again once we were out there crunching along in the leaves. I wasn’t doomed after all!
In case you ever find yourself in my shoes, I thought I’d share with you one of the handouts I have been giving out at my classes. A fun little sheet on Ways to Get Ideas. (Click the image to see it larger.)
I think one of the best ways to get ideas rolling is to change your scenery. “Fuhgettaboutit” as the handout says. Often times I sit there and try to force ideas out when all it takes it a little down time. Some mind marinating to let the ideas work themselves out on their own. Making tea. Going to the library. Taking a walk. Just change your setting and leave the story be for a while.
It also helps to talk about it with someone. I find that if I explain the story or assignment to someone who’s not entrenched in it, I explain the core ideas first which is really important. Actually saying out loud the key elements of the story. And from there, kicking around ideas seems easier. Also, hearing some suggestions from someone else always starts the ball rolling of “Oh yeah! But what if you change that and make it this instead!” Even if they are bad ideas, it helps to air them out.
I’m also a big fan of word association. It ties into the key elements again… writing down the core ideas and branching off from there. Like a story about a cat would lead to words like tail, paws, sneaky, curvy, hairy, halloween, meow, litter, fish, sleeping in the sunshine, etc. Also writing down opposite ideas because sometimes the juxtaposition makes it interesting.
And writing all your ideas down as quickly as possible. Even if they are stinker ideas with no merit at all and you’d rather die than show anyone. That’s ok. Write those down too. And get them down before your inner critic has a chance to censor you. (Cause she can be a real hooker.) Lots and lots of ideas lead to a few good ideas.
I read a quote once that said:
I find that extremely reassuring. Think about all the different perspectives and views out there held by all these unique and different people. Each one would probably have a different take on any given topic. (Just look at Illustration Friday for proof!) So there are always tons of ideas out there. And all you need to do is find 2-3 to flesh out and make good. It’s easy in that light!
Ok, now I’m stoked… time to start on the next assignment. :)
November 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am
such an inspiring post penny. thank you. love your cute cardigan. xox
November 6th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Awesome. You are SOOO right.
As someone who is so focused on the creative process, blocks, freedom, subconscious, plans, etc. And someone who used to use visual art as a way to help students learn, conceptualize, understand and plan in our HS English class, all I can say is you are right on the money.
And that’s a great handout. And great quote.
Cool.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Jillian Tamaki recently did a similar post on her blog about how she generates ideas. It’s pretty good and her process is similar. You should check it out. jilliantamaki.com, her October 19th entry.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:25 am
wait a minute, in my theory if you know there is an answer which means you are trying to corelate to something you know? and you will be satisfied with that answer only when it is close to your thought process?
comment please?
November 6th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Pratap: I’m not sure I follow your comment exactly, but if what you’re saying is that you won’t be satisfied until you find the one correct solution, I think you might be missing out on finding some other interesting solutions through an idea generating process.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Great post. I will be putting these to use.
The bean is looking pretty cute from out here!!
November 6th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
you rock the kashbash, sishta :)
November 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
omigosh I totally just went to your blog while “goofing off” so I would not throw camera, lights, jewelry, etc. against wall in frustration! I love you so much! Thank you for giving me just what I was obviously in search of… xxoo C
November 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Those ideas from your class have really helped! I find that sometimes I end up going back and using some of the ideas that didn’t work at that time but even months later help to get the ball rolling on something else. Does that make any sense? I have been staring at this screen too long!
November 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I don’t normally get stuck but I love the “flow” you had with all of this!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I love the handout–good reminders there. Every Friday when I check the topic for IF I always go through this mental process where I think to myself: “No, I can’t think of anything for that topic. I just won’t do it this week”, then I start thinking of ideas, “Ugh, that’s such an obvious approach to the topic”, then after a few minutes of wrestling with it in my mind, I’ve notice that I’ve become committed to making an illustration. At that point I can get down to work.
I also started keeping a visual file of magazine images or pictures that I can flip through when I need a little inspiring.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:10 am
you’ve been tagged check out my blog. Glad that you got some ideas also. Hope that that little girl of yours is doing well. The girls and I will have to stop and see you guys sometime.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:34 am
love it- thanks!
also, checked out your magazine spread yesterday at the library and i was beaming with pride for you!
November 7th, 2008 at 8:52 am
So lovely,Thanks!
…And I like the sentence of jack foster!great great great.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
hey P! fun and helpful post. it’s good to know we all get stuck sometimes, and these are all helpful things. i do a lot of them myself, but sometimes I forget when i’m ‘in’ a stuck moment. i printed out your reminder sheet and hung it up. yay. i particularly like the part about thinking of opposites and juxtapositions…thanks for the inspirrations girl. xojsue
November 10th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thanks for sharing this, Penelope!
November 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thank you for sharing this! I think I’ll copy it down and hang it on the wall in front of me. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only one getting stuck and feeling this way :)