Web designer hitting a creative slump... don't panic

Every now and then, as a web or graphic designer, you hit a low point or slump in your creativity. A stage where you start to question yourself and sometimes question your skills.

The slump can bring about frustration about a project, and now, with quite a number of years in the web design game, I thought I would share my experiences with slumps and techniques I use to overcome them.

remember the good times

I think all designers feel that energy and buzz when we crack that bit of code, get that mark-up to validate or finish a mock-up for a client. It really is a buzz to enjoy your work and get paid for doing this... life is pretty spectacular!

sleep on it

It honestly is that simple sometimes. Just go to bed and try and forget about it. Have a good sleep and believe it or not, nine times out of ten the solution will wake up with you. I have done this loads of times, I have also not done this loads of times and sat there until the early hours of the morning sipping coffee and eating to keep myself awake hoping that my worn out mind and tired body can muster a solution.

look for inspiration

I guess this is the proactive way of dealing with the web/graphic design slump and probably one of the best ways to find a new idea. I am not talking about website galleries - they have their uses.

But I prefer looking away from the web, maybe a magazine or book related to the subject. Photography and art galleries will have you brimming with ideas but I personally find a non-visual inspiration the most effective. Sit down with your eyes closed and listen to a good album. I have done this many a time and found that the music somehow has colors and patterns associated with it.

For instance, I make very different websites when I listen to John Mayer then when I listen to Led Zepplin and sometimes I end up going in a completley different direction due to a song I have listened to and will revise my design.

plan your time

I think a big part of losing your creativity is often worrying that your not going to meet a deadline or your nerves kick in about the end product not being good enough. I have found that the best way to combat this is to plan your time.

Then take this target date and list all the tasks that have to be completed to enable that task to be achieved. Split those tasks up over the days you have until your design target date and presto... you have a plan. Once you have completed your tasks for the day, you must stop. By ticking a task off throughout your day, you will feel like you are making progress.

Hope this helps...