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      designer secrets: the creative process

4/6/2015

19 Comments

 
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As you may know, I am mostly self-taught in all things graphic design. I find classes and articles wherever I can, but I found that there is very little information out there about artists and their processes. I don't know if that's because they are too busy creating to share their wisdom, or if they are afraid that others will steal their work.  Whatever their reasons, the lack of information is extremely frustrating. I thought that I would take a few blog posts to share some of my design secrets to help those of you who are as frustrated as me.

The first design secret is one that I just figured out and it has made my life so much better. Design Sponge regularly interviews creative business owners in a series that they call Life and Business. A few weeks ago they interviewed the artist Cecilia Ruiz. Her interview stood out to me because of it's honesty, especially this quote:

"The biggest lesson I have learned is that in every project (or almost every one) there is a moment of darkness…internal darkness. There is always a moment when doubts, insecurities, anxiety and procrastination arise and it is only with work and through work that one can see the light on the other side. I keep re-learning this with every project I take. Sometimes the dark cloud passes fast and sometimes it lingers for a couple of days. I have learned to be patient and I try to embrace it since it is just one more stage of the creative process."

This. is. me. I experience periods of darkness in every single project that I do--every single one. Sometimes it lasts for days or months, or sometimes I cycle through the process several times before the project is actually done. Before I read this quote, I thought I felt internal darkness because I was inexperienced, an amateur, or not a real designer. It is so liberating to know that this is something that all artists experience, no matter how good or experienced they are. Now that I know this, I can anticipate the depression stage of a project and embrace it like she says. Because, as frustrating as it is,  the process truly does move me to dig into the most creative depths of my soul.

I created the Creative Process poster (pictured above) to hang up by my desk to remind me that designing is a process. I almost added a separate button that says "I am here" to remind me where I am in the cycle.  I've seen different versions of this creative process in several different places (one in Show Your Work), but this is my version. You can download it below so that you can remember that creation is a process, and anything worth creating will take time and emotional investment. Or you can purchase a physical print in my Etsy shop and keep my creativity going :)


DOWNLOAD IT HERE
OR
PURCHASE HERE
19 Comments
Meg
4/6/2015 11:58:37 am

I love this!!! thank you so much for sharing! (and btw, I consider you a "real" designer) I think I do this pretty much all the time too - and why I have a hard time finishing things :) Also, I love that you put all the diet "cola" cans... SO ME!! :)

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:23:08 am

Thanks Meg! It's nice that I'm a real designer to someone!

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Madge link
4/6/2015 04:08:14 pm

Thank you for sharing this. I am going to print this and hang it in my studio! I really needed this today! Hugs- Madge

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:23:24 am

You're welcome Madge!

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Christine Ishmael link
4/6/2015 05:38:40 pm

Rachel - I just love you. I love this print and it's exactly how a lot of creative people feel...we all tend to be our worst critics...can't wait to print it and frame it and hang it in my creative workspace! Love you!

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:24:03 am

Love you too Aunt Christine!

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Gina
4/8/2015 03:26:55 am

Love it! It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the creative process comes immediately and effortlessly. It's always reassuring to learn differently. In Italy, I was encouraged to learn that even Michelangelo's first works on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel show mistakes in scale that he adjusted as he worked. If his works were a process, why shouldn't mine?

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:28:07 am

Thanks Gina, I'll have to look up Pixar Philosophy. Where do you find all these troves of useful information?

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Gina
4/8/2015 03:35:46 am

p.s. I just remembered that I read an article about Pixar's creative success being a safe environment to fail. A quick Google search on "Pixar Philosophy" looks to hold a lot of valuable insight into their creative process.

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Sarah
4/8/2015 03:34:09 pm

These pictures turned out really great!!!! So impressed!!

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:28:25 am

Thanks Sarah!

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Miranda Winslett link
4/13/2015 09:31:45 am

Yes! I needed to hear this today! Also, love your illustration so much I'm going to share it on my social media feeds. :))

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Miranda
4/17/2015 09:28:51 am

Thanks Miranda! We all have those days. :)

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Gina link
4/16/2015 01:16:00 pm

Oh my gosh! This is EXACTLY how I feel. Bless you for making this; it's going on my studio wall.

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Rachel
4/17/2015 09:29:28 am

You're welcome Gina, it's nice to know we're not alone!

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Heather | Decor Fix link
4/21/2015 11:05:17 am

I just LOVE this! I'm an interior designer and "decor coach" and the same cycle applies to my work (and the resistance my sweet clients face as they attempt to create a home they love.) This is so darling.

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Rachel
4/21/2015 03:15:58 pm

Thanks Heather! I agree that this applies to anyone who does anything creative. It's just part of the nature of trying to stretch ourselves to create something new.

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Priya link
4/25/2015 05:42:54 am

omg!!!Exactly how I feel now hahahh!!!I have just started my etsy shop and the process is exactly this.Loved this post!!!

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Ashlee link
12/6/2020 07:44:54 pm

Nicee blog thanks for posting

Reply



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    Hi! I'm Rachel and welcome to Citrus and Mint! Here you will find unique hand drawn illustrations for yourself or  someone you love.

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  • home
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    • fabric >
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        • pemberley
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      • bundles
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