The creative spirit needs nurturing, even in the best of times. We are constantly seeking to replenish the storehouse of ideas, experiences and images we use for inspiration — what ”The Artist’s Way” author Julia Cameron called “filling the well.” And these are far from the best of times.
Overwhelmed by weeks holed up at home, too many video meetings, childcare demands and an alarming 24-hour news cycle, you may find your creativity harder to access. But challenging circumstances can also drive innovation. And it is innovation, reimagining and reinvention that will ultimately lead to a successful recovery.
As a strategic design and branding agency, we consider creativity our stock in trade. While we work from home, doing our best to flatten the curve, we are using some of our favorite resources to help us think beyond our four walls. Give them a try and get inspired!
- Take a virtual tour. Museums and libraries may be closed, but you can still take advantage of institutions offering online tours. Fill your mind with great works of art. Some of our favorites — the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Let your inner artist shine. Check out Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems to practice your skills and to learn more about the bestselling kids’ author.
- Try out new forms of social media for a different perspective. TikTok might be for the younger set, but it can serve as a window to what’s trending in that space. The same goes for YouTube or Pinterest. Peruse #creative or #diy. You can always find inspirational or humorous videos of people creating things.
- Watch some of the best work from independent filmmakers. SXSW is releasing this year’s film festival on Amazon Prime.
- Take advantage of webinars and online lectures to feel more connected and continue to learn. We like the webinars on Adweek — with subjects concerning branding, creativity and the shifts in marketing, you are sure to find something that will pique your interest.
- Expand your palate. The grocery store may have limitations on your usual staples, so use this as an opportunity to try some new recipes. Subscribe to NYT Cooking or visit Epicurious.com, food52.com, delish.com or tasty.co.
- KonMari your space. Since most people are staying home anyway, take the time to see how you can improve your environment. Elevate and design your space and life.
- Write a haiku — it’s a form of poetry that anyone can do. It will stretch your imagination as well as provide humor or reflection into your own personal situation. Check out our most recent haiku here!
- Say hi to TED. Watching TED Talks is a great way to broaden your mind and acquire new ways of thinking. Great subjects to search include Design, Innovation and A New Perspective, among others.