Someone once told me when I am stuck in my design thinking to just keep designing. I did not understand at first how I could simply keep designing when I felt like I just had no ideas left in me. But that was not what it was about. It was about learning how to stay inspired, using my environment, resources and finding new ways to think about solving the design problem. It included me doing more research, digging deeper into my concept, thinking about it in a more complex manner, and then simplifying it down again. A good part of my design process is knowing methods that work best for me.
I always like to start out with making wordlist and move to mind maps, I think too quickly for list when brainstorming ideas. Next, I select a concept I feel could have a good outcome and I begin researching everything and anything I can to add layers and context to my projects. Sometime I just get stuck, but being visually stuck is my equivalent of experiencing writer's block. Sometimes it requires a break, some sleep, and a fresh set of inspiration the next day before I get back to it.
I enjoy getting off of technology and using the world around me to re-inspire myself. Whether that be going to the library, talking to people about the topic, or just walking around observing. It is always a fun new adventure for me. Here are some of my favorite resources.
