As a design student, I feel like I have a pretty good set of creative skills under my belt. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to add more though. Here are 5 skills I really want to learn how to do whether than be in a classroom environment or at home.
1. Hand Embroidery
This is one of those things that I've been meaning to try but just haven't had the time or resources to do so. I see all these incredible designs pop up on my Pinterest feed from time to time and it makes me want to learn so badly. I'm hoping to go to my local craft shop sometime soon and pick up an embroidery hoop and some different coloured thread. Then once the mid-year break comes around, I'll have no excuse not to give it a go.
2. DSLR Cameras
I'm definitely very capable with the camera I own at the moment but that's because it's the most basic camera ever. It used to be the whole family's and we bought it all the way back in 2012 or 2013. It still produces decent quality photos but because it's just a normal digital camera, it functions quite differently from a DSLR. I took a photography course for a very short time at Uni last year but I can't say I took a lot away from those classes. I really want to learn how to use a DSLR properly so I can take more professional looking photos for both my blog and other things.
3. Animation
This was another creative skill that I encountered last year at Uni. We had to use Adobe After Effects to create a very short animation for one of our designs. I actually really enjoyed bringing a static image to life. Since then, I haven't had much to do much animation but I'd really love to get back into it again.
4. Jewelry Making
A couple of months ago, my friend and I had a craft day where we made our own earrings. It was a great time! Earrings were a definitely a great introduction to jewelry making but I'd love to make something slightly more advanced like a necklace or bracelet. I really want to experiment more with wire and beading. I have so many pretty beads and charms from my childhood that I could use.
5. Cake Decorating
I've been loving cake decorating shows recently. Some of those cakes are honestly works of art! Like things you'd expect to see in a glass cabinet in a museum. I really want to take a cake decorating course one day. Even though baking isn't exactly my forte, decorating is where I think the real fun begins anyway. I love how creative people get with their cake designs. It's so inspiring!
Q: What's a creative skill you want to pick up?
Thanks for reading!
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When you're young, it's your likes that determine what you want to be when you're older. If you enjoy being around animals, you want to be a vet. If you like food and baking, you want to be a chef. For me, I loved painting and because of this, I wanted nothing more than to spend my adult years in front of a easel, exercising my imagination with a brush and canvas. As you get older your mindset towards jobs definitely changes. Instead of focusing purely on interest, I began to take other factors into account such as income and pay, the chances of getting the career, and the length of training required for the role. What I liked and most enjoyed kept getting pushed further and further to the back of my mind, becoming less and less of a priority. Instead of thinking about what I wanted to pursue, I kept thinking about what I had to pursue in order to live a somewhat comfortable life.
As I grew up, I slowly drifted away from the idea of pursuing a creative career and before I knew it, I had my heart set on becoming a doctor. Thinking back, I can't really remember what set off this change in career paths. I was still extremely passionate about art but for the some reason, I didn't think becoming an artist was a realistic job prospect to have. Math and science weren't - and still aren't - my strongest subjects yet with a career in medicine in mind, I persisted through and through. The fact that I didn't enjoy either of these subjects should of indicated to me that my true career lied elsewhere. This, and the fact that whenever I tried to imagine my doctor self, I really struggled to conjure up that image. I began to realise that if I couldn't even visualise myself as a doctor, there was no way that I wanted the job enough nor would be willing to do everything it took to fulfil the role. I didn't try to make myself like the idea of becoming a doctor. That was where I drew the line. If the burning desire wasn't then I there was nothing else I could do for it.
As a kid, being an artist was the only creative job I thought existed. At 5 years old, graphic designers, animators, illustrators and bloggers were completely unheard of. Nowadays, these are the careers I care more than anything about. One of my favourite sayings is, "Do what you you love and the rest will follow." For me, I really enjoy being creative, thinking outside the box and working with my hands. These are what make me most happy and I will remember these three things as the boxes I need ticked off when looking into potential job/occupations. Essentially, I've become my younger self again. I know what I like, my hobbies and my interests and I trust in these to help me find the career of my dreams.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know what you think in the comments!
I'm someone who's constantly drawn towards any artsy task or project. Whenever there's opportunity to express my creativity or think outside the box, I'm always willing to take it. While I would describe myself as "creative" there are definitely times where I feel like my imagination has deserted me. Because I don't think I'm alone in getting this feeling, I decided to dedicate today's post to overcoming creative block.
1. Make a Mood Board
Doing some visual research is always a good place to start. Find artist models online that you can draw ideas from. Print off some of their designs and stick them to a pin board along with some motivational quotes, magazine clippings and a selection of your favourite photographs. I love being able to refer back to a mood board whenever I'm in need of inspiration.
2. Get Outdoors
If you've been sitting at a desk for a majority of the day, whether that's in an office or classroom, it may be time for a change in scenery. While a walk around the block usually gets the job done, I find scenic trails a great source of inspiration. Take a chance to really focus on your surroundings. When I go on these nature walks, I like to let my mind wander. Instead of forcing inspiration, I let it come naturally. Usually my best ideas come when I least expect them to.
3. Go to the Library
Reading is great way to help generate ideas. When you open a book, you're opened up to a whole new world of possibilities. Books are pretty much snippets of a person's imagination so what better place than a library to spark your own creativity. Libraries are great because their supply is so big and varied therefore you're almost always guaranteed to find something somewhere.
4. Put Pen to Paper
Keep a notebook with you at all times. As I've said before, inspiration can come at random. So make sure you're ready for it when it does. Anything that makes you stop and think, write it down. It's a good idea to record your ideas as soon as you get them because sometimes they disappear just as quickly as they come. Even the most crazy and impossible ideas can reawaken the imagination which will then go on to boost your creativity levels.
5. Go to Bed
I know sleeping is probably the last thing you want to do but most of the time that overnight break is all you need to start that creative flow up again. Just because you're stepping away from something for the time being, doesn't mean you're forgetting about it for good. Don't feel bad about going to bed with your project unfinished because letting yourself sleep on your ideas will put you in the best possible mindset for the next morning.
Have I missed anything? Let me know if you do any of these or if you do something I haven't included!
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