Hot-Wiring Your Creative Process: Strategies for Print and New Media Designers

2. Basic Creative Wisdom

CREATING IS THE MOST INTENSE EXCITEMENT ONE CAN COME TO KNOW.

—TEXTILE DESIGNER ANNI ALBERS

Before we delve into specific design approaches, useful paradigms, best practices, tips, tricks, and hacks, let’s begin with some fundamental, across-the-board wisdom that every creative maker of stuff should possess. This wisdom in and of itself won’t make you a great designer, but without it, you will never become a great designer. If these pieces of advice aren’t your style, then you should probably change your style. If these pieces of advice don’t seem to apply to you, then you should probably apply them to you. Or may I suggest an exciting career in chartered accountancy?

To design something, to put it out there and say, ...