originally posted at Cornett IMS Blog
Being creative is not a 9-5 job for most, but rather a way of life. Creatives are passionate, constantly striving for perfection on a daily quest for excellence. Creatives think, read and observe. A lot. We are constantly stuffing our brains with ideas and thoughts. I am sure I am not the only one who has woken out of a dead sleep at 3am, and HAD to get up sketch out a layout. While waiting at a doctor’s office or supermarket, I often browse through magazines I don’t ordinarily read to see how their industry is marketing to their consumers. Inspiration is everywhere.
My wife often jokes about what a curse it must be… not being able to look at an ad or billboard without analyzing the typeface used, the use of white space, or the pantone colors used. Quite the opposite of being a curse, it is a blessing. A blessing to be able to make a living expressing your thoughts and feelings, all the while crafting effective communications for your clients. Their success is our reward. Creativity is not just picking out colors and photography, but solving a complex objective with simple imagery.
To grow creatively, one must apply their unique outlook to everyday life, not just client projects.
Children are naturally creative and blessed with vivid imaginations. I know… I have four of them. One way I manifest my creativity daily is making up “pretend stories” with my kids at bedtime. I ask them each to select a character or element for the story, and to use their imagination. My daughter Justina (6) often selects mythical animals, such as a pink and purple polka-dotted talking Pegasus horse named Sparkles. My son Wesley (3) is partial to large shiny blue monster trucks that go fast, fast and super-fast. These trucks serve as rescue vehicles and fuels his desire to be a fireman when grows up.
My task then is to improvise a story incorporating these items. I begin with once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Justina, and handsome prince named Wesley, then weave their selected items into a fantastic story, where their characters use their special powers for good. These stories are great teaching moments, such as Wesley using his big blue truck to pull a school bus out of the mud and save the day. He loves being a hero. Justina loves working with mythical creatures, to save animals in distress by giving them magical carrots she grew in her garden that helps hurt bunnies get well quickly. Once the story is over, they are eager to add to it with their own details. It helps me exercise my creative muscles, and allows this dad to tap into their creative minds that don’t have restrictive, pragmatic boundaries.
How do you apply creativity to your day-to-day life?
