Unfortunately, all designers know that creativity can be rather elusive, especially after a very long and demanding season of work. But how can you do a job that requires creativity, when the tank is empty? Simply put, you can’t. So, let’s dig in and figure out how you can refill your creative tank and climb out of a rut.

Embrace a Little Boredom

Let your mind wander. When we are trying to get over a slump we try to push ourselves harder. Even trying to force inspiration with an over packed schedule and putting ourselves into overdrive. I get it, I have been there and I love a packed schedule as much as the next guy, but creativity doesn’t thrive under constant pressure. Our creative minds need quiet, stillness, and a little space to breathe. Chronic overstimulation leads to mental fatigue, which severely impacts our creativity. So, take a break. Allow yourself to be bored for a little while. Some of the best ideas surface when your brain finally gets a chance to idle.

Get Outside

A breath of fresh air can do wonders for a tired brain. Whether you are the hiking high adventure type, or the sit and watch the sun set type, or somewhere in between, spending time outside helps slow your thoughts and reset your mind. Step away from the screens, notice the details around you. It’s in these simple moments that inspiration often sneaks back in. Who knows? You might even stumble upon the spark that reignites your creative energy.

Change Your Scenery

Sometimes, a creative block is literally built by the four walls around you. If you’ve been staring at the same desk, the same poster, and the same coffee mug for months, your brain goes on autopilot.

Try shifting your physical environment to shock your system back into alertness. Pack up your laptop and work from a bustling local coffee shop, a quiet corner of a public library, or even just a different room in your house. A new environment forces your brain to process new sights, sounds, and stimuli, which can easily trigger a cascade of fresh ideas.

Find Balance

When I’m deep in a mentally demanding project that pushes my creative limits, I’ve learned I need a second project alongside it. Something a little more routine, or even mundane. This balance gives my brain room to breathe. When one task starts to feel draining, I switch gears to the other. It’s a form of active rest that keeps me productive while still protecting my creativity from burnout. Sometimes, stepping away from the “big” work is exactly what allows the best ideas to surface.

Try Something New

Branching out and trying something you have never done before can give you the inspiration that you were looking for. It doesn’t have to be a major change, it could be as simple as trying a new recipe or sketching in a different medium.

Trying something new allows your mind to stretch and grow. This can also open the doors to a new thought process and with that more creativity.

Clean Up

Turns out my mother wasn’t totally wrong when she said, “If you clean your room, you’ll feel better.”

Clutter, whether physical or mental, can block creativity. The simple act of tidying up your workspace can give your brain a sense of clarity and calm. It’s amazing how much mental space opens up when the physical space around you feels intentional.
As you clean, let your thoughts wander.

You might just unlock the idea you’ve been chasing all along.

Justin’s Approach: Embrace Structure and Trust the Process

When staring at a blank canvas feels paralyzing, designer Justin recommends shifting your focus away from waiting for a “big idea” and instead taking practical first steps.

By involving marketing and content stakeholders from the beginning, we were able to align structure, messaging, and visual design simultaneously.

As one of our designers put it:

Diving Deeper

Infinite options lead to friction, whereas constraints spark problem-solving. By simply dropping required text blocks, logos, or layout assets onto the artboard, you force yourself out of abstract thinking and into execution mode.

Sara’s Approach: Fuel, Collaborate, and Recenter

Designer Sara relies on a combination of immediate sensory resets and big-picture realignment to pull herself out of a rut.

Diving Deeper

Sara’s strategy addresses a creative block from every angle:

• The Physical Reset: Never underestimate the power of basic physical needs, a quick snack, great music, or stepping outside can quickly reset your nervous system.
• The Social Reset: Creative blocks often happen when we get stuck inside our own heads. Bouncing ideas off another designer breaks the echo chamber and brings fresh eyes to the problem.
• The Strategic Reset: When art direction feels unclear, go back to the fundamentals. Grounding yourself in the core project goals and target audience removes the guesswork and points you in the right direction.

Final Thoughts

Despite our best efforts creativity can’t be forced, but we can create the right conditions for it to return.

Rest. Breathe. Step outside. Make space in your mind and in your environment.