The Creative Process

[melissagay]

In a conversation last night with whirl_twirl, I was recounting my creative process, for no particular reason other than I'm trying to finish a painting and misery loves company. It got me thinking, though-- do any other of you on my exceptionally creative friends list experiences anything similar in your own creative process

Comments

[superflippy]

I can definitely relate to #1. I have so many wonderful ideas! I will change the world! I don't just think I can, I know I can!

The problem is, once I get started I see how much time it's going to take and so I never finish. I suppose that if these projects were my job, it would be different.

So, creative process for stuff I actually complete:
- I am either inspired by an assignment or...
- I have a deadline to meet and no idea, so I go for a walk, get a coffee, let my mind wander and pick the first idea that seems not lame.
- I sketch my idea, usually in very little detail
- I begin fleshing it out on the computer. I am totally sucked in. Food, sleep, nothing matters as I kern these letters one more point, adjust this spline a fraction of an angle.
- Go away, come back the next day and see all the flaws in what I did, start refining it. Can't believe I didn't realize how banal initial idea was.
- Am proud with final result: I may not have the credentials, but I am a real designer! or...
- Deadline approaches before I can finish to my satisfaction. I compromise to get project done and decide never to associate my name with the final product.

[melissagay]

Those deadlines certainly do shape the final outcome, don't they!