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Hey Right Brained Human 👋🏼 !

Welcome to another week of Being Right Brained – Inspiration and ideas for designers and creative folks to work, think, and feel better. (In case you missed my last newsletter, see the full archive of past editions here)

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Here's what I do before I start to design – 10 ideas that guide my creative practice and help me work, think, and feel better.

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#1 Keep it simple, silly!
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​I often overcomplicate my ideas because I think I am showing off my abilities. But in doing so, I either over-execute or attach too polished a concept to my designs. , I forget that the real challenge lies in simplicity. This is exactly why you break your approach down to something that is easy on the eye and the brain!

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#2 Think of the most obvious things first
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This is so liberating! Start by sketching the immediate thoughts and visuals that come to mind, without resisting them. Once that's out, challenge yourself to think deeper and go beyond the obvious.

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#3 Stop judging!
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​Allow yourself to think of the silly stuff, the bad, the ugly stuff. Be reckless while brainstorming! Don't judge your ideas, don't always aim for perfection right off the bat; it will lead to a creative block. Remember that the road to a brilliant idea is often paved with many rough drafts!

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#4 Let it grow!
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I start with a simple idea, write it down, and draw it out. When I start working with Illustrator, it has transformed into something stronger. This change happens because I don't fixate on what I drew before and keep an open mind throughout the creative process. I try to give it room to grow at every step of my development process.

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#5 I always tell myself:

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#6 Walk away, but don't leave.

Before finalizing or sending out your work, take a pause and come back later.
You'll either get clarity or find the scope for improvements. Whenever I'm unsure about presenting something to a client, I sleep on it. And when I revisit, VOILA! The answer often becomes clear!
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#7 Move on!
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​In the creative process, it's important to let go of ideas that didn't develop the way you wanted them to, or that don't match what the client wants. When you accept that something isn't working, moving on can help you gain more time to pursue and refine other concepts that really hit home.

#8 Spot your peak hours
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​I tackle projects that need fresh thinking during my body's peak hours - when my mind and body are most in sync. This is the "Biological Prime Time" for productivity. For me, this peak time is from 11 am - 2 pm or 7-10 pm. So, I allocate my high-energy tasks to these windows without overthinking it.

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#9 Work with moodboards.
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I can't stress enough the value of visual or verbal moodboards. They provide direction and momentum. When drowning in ideas, a mood board aligned with your project's vision can highlight the most fitting ones. And if you're drawing a blank? A mood board can spark the inspiration you need to get started.
​Here's a well-put article I found on how to make a mood board.​
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#10 I forgive myself and be my biggest cheerleader.

I forgive myself for the days full of missteps, procrastination, and striving for perfection and not-so-great ideas! I also try to remember the successes - I remember moments when clients raved about my designs, logos were approved in just two tries, challenging clients started to warm up, and unexpected early payments. These moments aren't just memories, they're the energy I need at the start of any project, especially for the gigs that really matter to me.

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​Over to you now! ✨

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​📣 I am hosting my first-ever meet-up in Bengaluru!
I'll be at the Dyu Art Cafe on Wed, 18th October, 7.30pm - Come say hi!

Click here to register

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Here's my last week's top-performing post on Instagram ⚡️

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Stay creative,
Apeksha
Right Brained Human

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