Design Nugget - Mistake Yourself

I was reading through an old Comm Arts this week in search of web inspiration, and stumbled across this article. It's not often that I take the time to read too many articles (I know, SHOCKER, I would rather look at the pictures)...and it's really ironic that this is the one that I happened to read.

This is one of the best articles I've ever read when it comes to creative inspiration and the creative process. I am a classic example of what she talks about when she says, "When you get good at something, you repeat it." It's one of the reasons I am SO GLAD to be working at an agency and not at home, BY MYSELF. It's so easy just to do what you know, or tweak what you know, to make it look good for the next project or the next client.

I love what she says about not wanting to think outside the box, but to trip over the box because of something random she's intentionally done to lead her there. I love that! And it's so true! My best things have come because of a letter I've accidentally typed that suddenly turns into a beautiful graphic element...or a button I've accidentally pushed in a program that causes the most unexpected effect...or even conversations, catalogs, commercials, etc.

I'm not quite sure exactly how to apply this little nugget to my life and my work quite yet – but I am glad to at least be aware of it, and to be actively trying to make mistakes and to veer away from what I know.

Enjoy!