We all will admit that at some point in our lives, we get baffled by the new array of innovations that seem to strike our world today. Ranging across a wide spectrum of fields, new technologies are created on a daily basis, which invariably tends to make life more fun and interesting.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that none of this would be possible without creativity. As a matter of fact, creativity is the mother of all invention, and the more time passes, the more abundant it becomes. You can call it an endless virtue. That is why in a bit to ascertain this, Maya Angelou opined that “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
However, for the purpose of this article, we’ll be focusing on freelance product designers and how they can reach the peak of creativity in their craft. And with that being the case, we will first be looking at who product designers are, and what valid approaches they can adopt in becoming more creative, because believe it or not, the quality of any product designer is determined by their level of creativity.
Who Is a Product Designer?
For the purpose of clarity, we will be looking at who a product designer is in order to give us a comprehensive view of what we are about to discuss. A product designer is one who is responsible for creating new products to meet the needs of the customer.
In some scenarios, a product designer could either choose to work alone or, as it is in most cases, with a group of other designers. As such, for product designers to succeed in their fields, they have to be very creative. Let’s look at 15 ways they can do that.
1) Rekindle your mind
Just as the saying goes, no man is ever an island. And as much as we’d love to think of ourselves as being totally independent in a specific field that we are good at, we still need to learn. Let’s look at the lives of great authors like Shakespeare and George Orwell. These writers never stopped reading until death. Why? Because they knew that a total dependency on one’s talent often leads to a lack of inspiration.
So, as a product designer, try widening your horizon by at least checking out the latest design style of competitors and the manner through which they write and design their product. That way, any product designer will be able to grow their skill and creativity level.
2) Be receptive
If there is anything common among successful product designers like Jonathan Ive, Apple’s Chief Design Officer (CDO) and Philippe Starck, it is how receptive they are. And what do we mean by this? Receptive people are always open to new ideas. No one can actually be good at anything if they aren’t receptive.
This is because we live in a dynamic world where things change every second. And when one is receptive, they will be able to learn new ideas from associates or through studying and improve their level of creativity.
Now how is this applicable to a product designer? If you choose to restrict yourself from learning new ideas, whether you like it or not, you will find yourself stuck in an old-fashioned style. You will find it difficult to advance because you won’t be growing.
3) Abandon pride
Pride goeth before a fall, the Bible says. And in this case, the context is no different. So many product designers have failed in the art of creative design simply because they felt too big to ask questions. To them, asking questions would be a blow to their self-esteem. However, the reverse is the case.
You can only earn and look smart when you ask questions. So, as a product designer, if you wish to grow in your level of creativity, always ask questions when you’re found wanting.
4) Join designers’ forums
Iron sharpens iron. And just as Albert Einstein said, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. So, to become an avid product designer and enhance one’s level of creativity, chatting with other consumer product design firms will help you do just that.
5) Try again
As a product designer, you must have had a project that you failed in the past. Try going back to it, but this time with a new idea and approach. This way, your degree of creativity will be renewed and increased.
6) Sign up for an art course
This is vital, especially if as a product designer, you find yourself lacking in creativity. Such courses will teach you how to develop the inner creativity in you that you never knew you had. Over centuries, art classes have proven to produce the best level of creativity among designers. So, find yourself an art class and enroll in it.
7) Become a tutor
It is a common adage that the best way to earn more knowledge is by sharing it. So, if you’re a product designer, form a class and teach others. You’ll be surprised at how much you will learn.
8) Take up challenges
You can never grow without challenges. Just like in the gym, if you don’t challenge yourself to carry heavy weights, the body can barely grow. Thus, the same is applicable as a product designer. From time to time, try taking on projects you know are hard.
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That way, you will force your mind to producing some high degree of creative thinking. The truth is, you never know how creative you are until being creative is the only option you have left.
9) Be adventurous
The main significance of going on adventures is the fact that you’ll be exposed to nature’s beauty. And once your mind has been decorated with a vast array of beautiful sights, creativity becomes inevitable.
10) Get a personal notebook
Sometimes there is more to life than meets the eye. As a product designer, you might come across an infographic or design that doesn’t make much sense at the time, but who knows – what you saw may form the basis for one of your designs someday. So, when you stumble upon anything related to design, take it down. It might just be another life saver.
11) Rearrange your schedule
You can never grow as a product designer by following through the same pattern every time. To enhance your level of creativity, try rearranging the way you do things. For instance, while creating a logo, you customarily start with sketching before painting – at some point try painting before sketching.
12) Take a break
Just as resting is a part of bodybuilding, it’s also a part of learning. In the process of becoming more creative, at some point, you should go on vacation or holiday. The brain functions properly when it’s put to rest. Remember, attaining a good creativity level is a process and not an instant goal.
13) Get motivated
The human mind is an engine, and at some point, needs to be refueled. And there is no better fuel for our brain than motivation. So, as a part of being creative, try listening to motivational materials that will help you believe you’re the best and that you can become the most creative product designer alive. Remember, things only happen to those who believe.
14) Practice daily
Ever heard of Cristiano Ronaldo? If so, I believe you’ve heard of his consistent daily efforts in soccer, which has made him stand out among the rest. In product design, practicing daily will not only help you build your creativity level, but will also make you stand out among other designers.
Practice makes perfect, and if as a designer you practice your art daily, the sky will be the limit.
15) Know your time
People often underestimate the power of working in their time, and most often, it dawns on them. Before you start learning or practicing your art of designing, know that time favors you. Don’t copy another just because you saw the person working at midnight.
If you’re comfortable with working in the daytime and sleeping at night, please stick to that. Our body chemistry works differently and shouldn’t be compelled to work differently.
In a nutshell, becoming a creative product designer is simply a personal decision. If you wish to grow, all you have to do is follow the above 15 approaches, and you’ll be amazed at how far you’ll go in becoming the best of designers.
Most product designers that we know of today like Marc Newson and James Dyson stuck to some or all of these instructions, which is why they are at the top of their game today. However, if you still wish to have a conversation with a real product designer or hire a 3D modeler or CAD designer, then simply check Cad Crowd.