The TURNER team recently read Todd Henry’s
The Accidental Creative, a handy guide for “how to be brilliant at a moment’s notice.” A highly recommended read for anyone who works in a creative atmosphere, it’s filled with tips and practices that will recharge your batteries and clear your mind.
The Accidental Creative is also packed with great quotations from some of the world’s great creative minds, past, present and future. Here are a few that caught out eye …
Creativity is about letting your imagination run wild, right? Not quite. Most of the great creative endeavors have been made within a defined framework. Orson knew that fact well – his masterpiece, “Citizen Kane,” came about in the strict Hollywood system of the early 1940s. In other words, you can still develop brilliant, envelope-pushing ideas in projects … but you have to know what the boundaries are.
You can get lost in the woods when you’re trying to spark your creativity. But sometimes the simplest solutions are the best solutions. In the brainstorming process, try not to get lost in the specifics, which can spiral into complex and unproductive moments. Simplicity is best – you can worry about the details later.
They say you should do what you love. Easier said than done. Still, creativity relies on an enthusiastic attitude. Even if the project you’re working on isn’t near and dear to your heart, try to locate the thing about the project that you can get excited about. You’ll find that the ideas will start flowing.
This one is easy – but worth remembering. Taking notes is a great way to organize your thoughts, whether you’re doing it in a meeting or in your private moments. Write down your thoughts when inspiration strikes! Refer back to them when you’re called upon to be brilliant at a moment’s notice.
We’ve all fallen into creative ruts. Usually the best way to dig yourself out is to say goodbye to your comfort zone. Sometimes a simple change of scenery can work wonders. Take your brainstorming session outside, where the fresh air and sunshine can stimulate your mind.