Text: Anni Hakkarainen
Illustrations: Anni Hakkarainen
In the creative work field, for example among individual artists or singers, you hear people tell where they get their inspiration from and what keeps them going. Many of them seek inspiration from family members and everyday life. They also gain tranquility and inspiration from nature. Many also put emphasis on the necessity of inspiration to be able to work on the creative field and how hard it can be to be productive without it. For many it can be a very uneven stream of feelings that changes every day. I heard this a lot when I was younger, since then I have noticed how little need there actually is for inspiration and how it’s more about having the right skills and a creative mind.
I have been a practicing artist and creative person for most of my life, so drawing has been a way express myself for many years. Through my hobby of creating and being creative it has become a familiar and enjoyable process. I’ve also realized how necessary it is to create because it helps me to process and regulate everyday stress and emotions. For example, I can draw fanart of my favorite tv-series to process my passion and love for that form of media or on bad day I can draw my emotions to feel better. In the same way, others reduce stress by cleaning, exercising, by playing an instrument or walking in the quiet nature.
I’ve done illustration and graphic design jobs as freelancer for individual clients, but also for bigger companies while working as an intern. Through my own experience I’ve found differences when creating art for myself or graphic design for a client. The difference being that working on my personal drawings is easier and more fulfilling because I have clear picture of what I want to create and working for someone else is harder and more exhausting because I must find the energy to create since the client’s commissions aren’t coming from my own emotions or the need to be creative. While working for others I want very clear and specific instructions to minimize the use of my creative energy and try to mostly rely on my drawing skills while producing art. I make sure to send progress pictures of my work and be open for critique at any point when working on client commissions, so I know what is or isn’t to their liking. This has helped me to be able to create without inspiration so that I can finish my work on time and provide for myself in case I’m working for money. You can be an artist without inspiration, but to work as one you have to learn how to utilize your current skills and combine them with new skills. Be able to communicate professionally with different people. get ready to kill your darling creations only the client’s opinion matters and you have to be able to work with there ideas. Working in this field is at least in my experience exhausting but rewarding, seeing people be happy whit something you made is wort the effort it takes.
Here are a few tips that have helped me to evolve my creativity and idea flow, so I don’t have to rely only on inspiration. First, make creativity a part of your everyday life by mindlessly doodling, writing or humming depending on your preferred creative output.
2.Find people who make you feel excited to create more and better, someone to look up to.
3.Don’t be hasty, mastering your craft will take a lot of time and effort.
4.Don’t be a perfectionist and don’t ask too much of yourself.
5. You can also try to get out of your comfort zone and try an entirely new hobby without setting expectations for yourself.
Making creativity a part of everyday life can help come up with ideas more easily, remember to focus on learning new things and having fun.