If you live your life in a creative industry, chances are you’ve tried to overcome designer’s block one way or other.  You having trouble coming up with the next greatest idea in design or you’re having to work out a very specific design detail and just can’t figure it out.  In short, you’re just plain stuck!

Yep, I’d say we’ve all been there and in my experience I have found a few different ways to shake my creative block out and carry on with the design.

1.  30 Minutes of Free Sketching

This is probably the easiest first step to try if you are trying to overcome designer’s block.  Looking back at architecture school, they would make us get in the habit of doing this during the first couple years, and though I hated doing it at the time, I now realize it really does work.

Want to know more about Architecture School (and what I miss about it?!) Check out my post here!

The point of this exercise is to m=not overthink anything.  You don’t need “perfect” sketches and you don’t need to sketch for hours.  Literally, just pull out some trace paper and see what comes out of you in thirty minutes.

2.  Music

I think music and architecture go hand-in-hand.  Nothing feels better than zoning out with you work or drawings while you are jammin’ out to your favorite tunes!

One thing that might help you if you are just stuck in the design process is switching over to a different type of music.  I’m a huge hard rock/metal fan, but sometimes I find that listening to instrumentals (soundtracks like Harry Potter for instance) can really allow me to almost meditate while sketching.

3.  Pinterest Search

Ok, so this has always been a little trick of mine.  Whenever I just can’t seem to come up with a specific design solution or idea, I just go to Pinterest!  This is essentially my Google Image search, but what I love about it is that I can create a board for particular projects and always refer to it later.

Pinterest is also where I keep a lot of my favorite “spatial” moments and architecture photos for inspiration on new projects.

Check out my Pinterest profile here and follow me!

4.  Switch Gears

So I think it is probably safe to say that most architects have more than one project or task going on.  So switch gears to get over that designer’s block!

There is no reason to stay stuck on a design that (at the moment) is going nowhere.  Plus, usually once you move to a different project the answer will pop out of nowhere.Some times the answers are even within the other projects we have going on.

5.  Ask for help

If all else fails and you just can’t overcome designer’s block, it’s time to put a little pride aside and see what your co-workers think.  Even if you work in a small office, that doesn’t have a lot of architects, you can still bounce ideas around and get other people opinions about what you are facing.

Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in the detail of the problem, you don’t see the big picture (which is staring you right in the face!)  Asking anybody around you who will listen can really help.  Plus, I don’t know how many times I’ve even just gone to someone for help and end up answering my own question!

So what about you?  Got any go-to moves to help get you out of that creative funk we’ve all found ourselves in?  Let me know!  I’d love to try them out!