Tips for Freelance Designers to Overcome Creative Block and Boost Productivity

No one is immune to creative block, not even the world’s foremost designers and other creative professionals. It’s an insidious problem that can instill self-doubt and put a damper on your career, especially if you’re a freelancer whose every project needs to be a winner.

Luckily, there are ways to break through even the most stubborn creative blocks and become highly productive again.

Step Away

Unless the deadline is fast approaching, taking a break from current projects is the best thing you can do to reignite your creativity. Put whatever it is you're having trouble with on hold. Step outside and commune with nature. Do something that has nothing to do with design, and make sure it’s relaxing. Sometimes, our brains need time away from tasks that weigh heavily on our minds — a reset. It might seem like a waste of time, yet any activity that lets you get back on track is anything but!

Seize Inspiration When It Does Strike

Proactively seeking inspiration is among the most helpful habits for easily breaking through creative blocks. Regularly draw inspiration from your surroundings – nature, that eye-catching packaging you saw the other day, or the designers you admire. Create a folder and fill it with inspiring designs. Make a note whenever you encounter something memorable out in the wild. Once a creative block does come, you’ll have a treasure trove of ideas to reference.

Set Limitations

Every designer who’s had to abide by one too many ridiculous client briefs yearns for complete creative freedom. However, it can also lead to choice paralysis. Instead, try placing limitations on the tools and techniques you use.

Limit your color palette, use just one font, or emulate a classic design style you’ve never tried before. Such constraints force you to adapt and re-engage the creative spark more often than not.

Engage in Other Creative Pursuits

Striving to master everything about your particular type of design is a worthy and necessary pursuit, but focusing on the same principles and themes while excluding other creative avenues can lead to burnout. One way of dealing with this is to pursue other creative interests.

If you mostly create branding and logos, why not check out product or interior design? You could also pursue creative activities not directly tied to design, like photography or 3D modeling. The new skills and perspectives you’ll pick up will make you more competent at your specialty while presenting sources of inspiration you wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

Sort Out the Technical Stuff

Juggling multiple clients with different project requirements and quirks is challenging enough. Not being diligent about file organization and security will stress you out more, so take some time to take stock of and organize your assets. 

Ensure project files (and layers!) follow logical naming conventions and versioning and are easy to find. Arrange your color palettes, templates, font libraries, etc., so that frequently used and important ones are easy to reach. Bookmark your favorite asset repositories and online sources of inspiration. Most importantly, implement a system to keep your files and accounts secure.

It's a good idea to encrypt and back up project files so they're safe if anything happens to your device. Since you're likely working with illustration software, web design platforms, stock image sites, and a host of other online services, it's crucial to protect your accounts with unique and strong passwords immune to brute force attacks. Consider using a reliable password manager, regardless of the nature of your work. Password managers for nonprofits and small establishments can help your one-man team and quickly generate distinctive passwords for each account and store them securely.

Engage with Other Creatives

As a freelancer, it's easy to forget you're not in this alone. Countless communities bring together designers and other creative professionals as a way of exchanging ideas and skill improvement. Become part of such a community, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback or advice. Peers with different skill levels and life experiences will likely offer solid advice you haven't even considered.

Moreover, contributing to such a community will expose you to others' work and allow you to pass your wisdom and expertise along. Both can boost motivation and creativity immensely.