How to Be More Creative: 8 Strategic Ways for Designers
Have you ever stopped at a bustling intersection, mesmerized by a 3D billboard that seems to leap off the building? Or found yourself fascinated by a surreal fashion design on a runway or the flowing lines of a building that looks like it belongs in the future? These moments stick with us not just because they're beautiful but because they’re unforgettable. That’s the power of creative design.
Everyone knows that designing requires creative skills. You have to come up with new ideas continuously, even every day, to have impressive design products. But creativity doesn’t always appear on command. So, how do you sharpen this skill, stay inspired, and grow sustainably?
Let’s dive into 8 strategic ways to be more creative as a designer with Mosyne by your side.
Learn from Your Predecessors
It will be difficult to force yourself to be creative in a field that you don't know much about. So first, take some time to "recharge" your brain. One of the smartest strategies designers pass down is to “learn by stealth” - quietly absorbing the methods and mindsets of those who came before you.
This doesn’t mean copying or mimicking their work pixel for pixel. Instead, it means stepping into their shoes. Study how a legendary designer breaks down a complex brief or how they transform a blank canvas into a campaign seen by millions. Watch how Saul Bass simplified form to create timeless film posters and how Paula Scher treats typography like sculpture.
Moreover, many designers openly share their process on YouTube, Behance, Medium, or Instagram Stories. Through their work process, learning deeply about how they design each product, you can discover many things. These are invaluable lessons, drawn from the practical experience of the best people. So why do we miss the opportunity to learn?
Study Art Like a Designer
Studying art from different periods and genres will broaden the designer’s horizons and enhance their appreciation of beauty. Learning about art history, famous artists, and art movements will provide the designer with a wide range of styles.
Turn back to the past to see the bold contrasts of Caravaggio, the surreal dreamscapes of Salvador Dalí, or the color play of Henri Matisse. Study how Bauhaus redefined function and form, how Art Deco brought luxury into geometry, or how Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints balanced composition with story. These movements and artists hold timeless lessons in rhythm, balance, contrast, and emotion.
Don’t stop at books or Pinterest boards. Visit a local art museum, wander through a student gallery show, or join a weekend art talk or sketch group. Every exhibit is a dialogue waiting to happen. Conversations with fellow artists or feedback during a critique session can jolt you out of creative blocks and show you how others see what you might overlook.
Collecting Creative Products
Another great way to "recharge" your battery is to make a habit of collecting creative products. A design image from a designer online, a beautiful painting in an exhibition you pass by, a photo taken by a photographer, a line of text with a super impressive font on a signboard, etc.
All of the above visual products are creative products. If you find them beautiful, feel like you can learn about how to be creative in them, don't hesitate to save them in a folder or anywhere you find convenient, so you can open them at any time.
This collection habit will help you have a treasure trove of reference materials. This is the place for you to explore many different creative styles. This is also a rich source of inspiration for you. It is very possible that you will come up with a new idea when looking at a beautiful image in it. This is also the way many designers create design products.
Strengthen Your Creative Thinking
At its core, creative thinking is built on three key pillars: novelty, independence, and effectiveness. In other words, your ideas should be fresh, uniquely yours, and truly work to solve a problem or communicate a message.
Understanding these elements gives your creativity direction. It helps you avoid getting lost in trends or creating without purpose. When you know how creative thinking really works, you can push boundaries with confidence and still stay grounded in what your design needs to achieve.
So, take time to study how creative thinking operates. The deeper your understanding, the stronger your foundation for long-term growth in design.
Take More Photos
Although it sounds a bit confusing, taking photos diligently really helps you be more creative. It is not natural that many designers are also good photographers. Sometimes the opposite is true. Designers and photographers are both lovers of beauty. They always want to capture every beautiful frame they encounter. Those frames will be their source of creative inspiration in a moment of inspiration. This is completely possible.
Sketch Anything That Comes to Mind
For designers, ideas are more precious than gold. Ironically, ideas don’t always show up at your desk when you need them. They often appear at the most unexpected times. They might pop into your head while you’re walking down the street, chatting with a friend, or even half-asleep at night. And if you don’t capture them quickly, they tend to disappear just as fast.
That’s why many designers make a habit of sketching their ideas the moment they appear. Sketching does not necessarily have to be beautiful. A rough outline, a few messy shapes, or a quick note about what the idea is for can be enough to hold onto the spark. The point is to get it out of your head and onto paper (or your notes app) before it slips away.
Even ideas that seem odd or silly at first might turn into something useful later. What matters is creating a habit of catching inspiration when it shows up. Think of it like keeping a visual diary to support your creative process, not to impress anyone.
Build Connections in the Creative Industry
If you're more introverted, the idea of networking might feel a little overwhelming. However, building connections doesn't mean forcing small talk or reaching out to strangers without reason. It simply means surrounding yourself with people who share your passion for creativity.
You should really connect with many creative people if you want to learn about creative skills. Connecting and sharing with people in the industry helps you exchange a lot of information, valuable practical experience, and even future learning or job opportunities. At the same time, participate in some common creative projects for beginners to have the opportunity to collide with reality.
Practice Creativity Through Personal Projects
To acquire a certain skill, you will need to practice and train it. Creativity is the same. This skill can be practiced through very small actions. Try paying attention to your daily actions. Instead of doing things the way you are used to, try doing things in a new way that you think of.
If you want to focus more on creativity in design, try collecting design exercises or projects from the Internet, and then creating your own product. Practicing diligently through the above exercises will help you become much more proficient with creativity.
Conclusion
How to be more creative is a journey that every designer continues to explore throughout their career. The 8 strategic ways for designers we’ve explored aren’t quick fixes, but they’re powerful habits that build up over time. Choose a few to start with, make them part of your routine, and let your creative voice evolve naturally.