29 Ways to Stay Creative—Part Three
by Jen White
I LOVE to see things that take BIG thoughts and break them down for LITTLE people like me. In this new series of blogposts, I am wanting to share and discuss an infographic I found called 29 Ways to Stay Creative by Islam Abudaoud. Because there is SO much fantastic information packed into one little graphic, I’m planning to split my series into five parts. Here is part three.
#11 Surround Yourself with Creative People
Do you participate in the galleries and forums of your favorite digital scrapbooking site? I consider myself a fairly creative person, but I know for a fact that I’m not the only one. I am inspired every single day by other scrapbookers, but that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t take the time to engage. Here are a few tips:
- Take a couple minutes to browse the new posts of your favorite galleries.
- Subscribe to a forum. You’ll not only gain great ideas, but you’ll also have the chance to give back. Here’s how:
- Join in a group of creative people in your community.
#12 Get Feedback
My poor son Carter (age 17). I’m always calling him into my office and saying, “Which one looks better?” or “Does this sound stupid?” He’s actually a pretty good judge. Of course, I don’t always take his advice. Sometimes I just do it to see if he likes the same thing I do—don’t tell him that though! Here are some ways to get feedback:
- We have a Community Gallery. Upload your scrapbook page and ask for creative critiques. Then, wait for advice from experienced scrapbookers. Take it or leave it. Your choice.
- Take an online class. Because of the nature of learning, classes are a great way to get feedback as you go.
- Send a screenshot of your scrapbook page to a girlfriend. Better yet, send it to a girlfriend who does not scrapbook. Those are the kind of gals who are always WAY impressed with your effort!
#13 Collaborate
I have to admit this one had me stumped for a minute or two. I’m telling you right now, I don’t like anyone touching my handiwork. But wait. What about scraplifting, grayscale templates, and quickpages? Those are sorta like collaboration, aren’t they? Think on this:
- Scraplifting. It’s not a bad thing. Most people would consider it an honor. When you are plumb out of ideas, simply find a page you LOVE and try to copy it. Scraplifting is actually an excellent way to refine your Photoshop skills because it takes the pressure of being creative off your shoulders. Join us for Scraplift Saturday in Community. Jenifer Juris made a page for us to scraplift. Get all the details here.
- Templates. Need someone else’s basic design ideas to get you started? Start with what they’ve suggested, then add and subtract ideas and layers until it’s your own unique creation. Grab a FREE template in our FREE Fundamentals class. Enrollment is required, but it’s FREE.
- QuickPages. These are an amazing creative tool. Just slip your photos in and you are off and running with not a bead of sweat to show for it. What could be better?
Tell me what you think. Do you do any of the above suggestions? How do you think they help you?
29 Ways to Stay Creative for Digital Scrapbookers
part one | part two | part three | part four | part five
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Author: Jen White | Contact Us
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3 Responses
David
A few years ago I read a Photoshop magazine in which there was a regular section about groups of people who got together to design a piece of digital art. No decision was made about what the final output would be. The first person just created something and then passed what they had done onto the next person who then added their own input to what had already been done. And so on and so forth until the last person had completed the work. The only condition was that nobody was allowed to alter anything that had already been created.
Try doing this with a digital layout????
Michele Kendzie
All great ideas and I do almost all of them. However, lately I’ve been looking for a new digiscrap home, after getting too busy to scrap for a couple of years, and it has been discouraging finding just the right place for me. So much that I’ve considered not bothering to visit forums anymore, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that, and you’ve reminded me why: the inspiration!
The item on your list that I haven’t done much lately that I think I’d like to pick up again is scrap lifting. I like that it’s more free than templates because I am starting with a blank page and just choose what parts to copy and easily change things around.
Terri
I love your idea for these posts. They are thought provoking. I use templates a lot because I am NOT a designer. I still feel creative when I put my own twist to the templates with colors, embellishments and photos. The classes and tutorials are also absolutely wonderful!!