Generating Ideas For Your Design Or Canvas Art Based Projects

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1. Properly define the brief outcome that you want - Begin by stating, possibly on paper as a written statement, the exact outcome that you want the idea to satisfy. This could be a list of requirements that you want the piece of work to fulfil. Think about the effect on the viewer. How do you want them to feel? What do you want them to think? What exactly do you want to communicate to them? As soon as you have this clear target the way to your concept will become much clearer. That is to say that you enjoy this way of working as opposed to a more intuitive approach, which leads me on to technique number two...

2. Don't define the brief outcome that you want - By having absolutely no limits on the effect you want to achieve with your concept you allow your intuitive and inspired processes to reign free. This technique can allow for extremely random and 'out-of-the-box' solutions to emerge. Experimentation is a sure-fire way to come up with ideas that are particularly inspired and innovative. The drawback is that it is easy to move to far away from the brief and it can take longer as more reiterations are needed until you happen upon an idea which fulfils the brief. Most people will probably prefer some kind of middle ground between the first technique and the second when generating ideas for design work and canvas art.

3. Pick a random subject - This technique involves randomly selecting a subject and then simply creating an idea that involves this randomly chosen topic. Somehow combine the brief you are working on with the arbitrary theme and you will find that your mind has the innate ability to weave connections into the basis for new ideas.

4. Let your mind wander - By actually taking your mind off the brief you can allow the subconscious more freedom to work its magic. If you sketch down completely random images and doodles you will find that your pencil will automatically find new solutions.

5. Try less - Sometimes the more you try the harder you find it to generate ideas for your design work and canvas art. A much better approach to doubling your effort is to fall back on tried and tested ways of producing work. This reinstates the flow needed to produce quality ideas.

6. Work in a way you enjoy - Many good ideas emerge spontaneously from simply doing what you love. Making sure you enjoy the process is important. Choose to work with media that you are comfortable and confident with. Once you have a chosen skill or technique, such as painting with acrylics for example, you can then express your ideas in a more free-flowing manner. Good sketching skills are a perfect way to express your ideas and render them quickly. Find materials you enjoy using and which allow an easy transition from your mind to the paper or computer.

I hope this article helps you. Good luck generating ideas for your design or canvas art based projects.

Being the Best Artist You Can Be When Producing Design Work and Canvas Art

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It is most satisfying to produce work that genuinely represents your true voice. When you are creating work that reflects your proper calling and resonates with the purpose of your existence you make artwork that is genuine and that others will love also. In this article I describe my ideas on finding your individual style as an artist or designer so that you can focus more time and effort making the work that really works for you and your audience.

In my experience there is a common thread that emerges through a person's work that suggests the archetypal message or story that is emerging through that person's design or canvas art. Finding your own voice often entails a process of listening to the voice that is trying to emerge as opposed to forcing your conscious ideas upon the creative process which can often be counterproductive. Our conscious thinking is quite often survival based and reflects the lower ego needs of a human being. These ego needs, such as the need for approval, can often sabotage the purer artwork that is arising. Throughout the ages the best artwork has generally reflected the higher values of humanity such as deep philosophical questioning or social change. Finding your voice as an artist is about sensing the direction that life is taking you and allowing that process to direct the artwork. What part of the story of life is your art telling?

Throughout every piece of work you have created since you started to make art (which may even mean going back to when you were a young child or teenager) is a clue as to your purpose as an artist. It is about discovering these messages that continue to arise and then piecing them together into the overall communication of your life as an artist. To get a better idea about your purpose as an artist ask yourself these questions...

• What common threads have emerged throughout your work?
• What subject matter or themes is your work continually pulled back to?
• What is the direction of your work?
• Which pieces have been most satisfying and why?
• How does your work usually function when perceived by a viewer?
• Are you interested in communicating particular ideas and informing the viewer about new perspectives?

And remember that as an artist there will always be a continual process of discovery. The creative process of an artist is always in flux and motion. Your work will grow as you grow and change as you change, and as the context of your life changes. A good piece of advice is to not be too eager to find out how the story ends right away because this might not be possible. Some will be successful and discover their purpose and always have that clear understanding of the message they deliver. Some artists will only truly understand their work with the benefit of time in hindsight. Some others may never understand their work at all, leaving their contribution behind to be appreciated and understood by others. Hopefully, all will enjoy the process. In my humble opinion the most effective indicator that you are focusing on your purpose as an artist is that you are happy producing the work you are producing. An enjoyable process is a purposeful process.

I hope this article has been helpful in assisting you with your design work and canvas art.