What a Difference a Break Makes
I’ve got a confession. I’m not an avid reader. When I get my hands on a book, I like it to be short, sweet, and most importantly, relatable. That’s why I love John Cleese’s creativity. In his 103-page book, Cleese explains the significance a break can have on your creativity. I have found this to be incredibly beneficial and impactful when working on certain UI design projects.
“A break is the potential solution to a problem you’ve been wrestling with,” Cleese wrote. During a break, we’re using our intelligent unconscious, which allows us to perform our tasks without requiring us to concentrate on them.
A few months ago, I began one of the most challenging assignments I have ever faced – animation for UI design. At first, it wasn’t easy for me to grasp the concept of creating keyframes or expressions. At one point, my concentration was suffering so badly, I had to take a few days off so my brain could rejuvenate. Once I got back to work, something just clicked, and that little lightbulb above my head turned on. I was able to complete my assignment more fluidly and expediently because my mind was clear, and I was more focused.
Cleese suggests that when taking a mental break you should take location, location, location into consideration. “The greatest killer to creativity is interruption,” Cleese writes. “Find a safe place where you can play.” The longer you’re there, the more your mind calms down and settles. My safe space is my She Shed. There are very little distractions. There’s a comfy couch, a desk and minimal technological offerings. The “Disturb and Die” sign helps too.
[Hold on. I’ve got writer’s block. Please excuse me while I take a walk. … Ah, what a difference that break made.]
So, what happens when you’re taking a break and a new app idea pop into your head? What do you do with it? According to Cleese, you don’t want to get too creative too soon. During the design process, this is especially true because you will go through so many different iterations. Your initial vision may not be like your final vision at all. This becomes evident during the user testing stage, or even during a Crazy Eights design sprint.
Cleese also makes a point about how if you’re not writing (or creating) what you know, you need to do your research. This is where competitive analysis is key. The bigger the leap, the longer the creative period (UX timeline) will likely be.
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So, the morale of Cleese’s short and cheerful guide: feeling creative is a frame of mind. Where is your go-to break destination?
