# Creative Strategies for Overcoming Blocks Sat, 15 Feb 25 --- ## 1. Session Purpose & Mindset - **Goal**: Help participants kickstart their design briefs and progress toward a tangible outcome. - **Overcoming Overwhelm**: Acknowledge uncertainty in early stages. Embrace iteration rather than avoiding the project. - **“Show Up” Principle**: Even without clarity, start somewhere (research, moodboard, wireframe). Trust that clarity will build over multiple design sessions. **Actionable Tip**: Schedule small, repeated design sprints. Even a short session builds momentum and reduces procrastination. ## 2. Gathering Requirements & Clarity - **PRD (Project Requirements Document)** - Centralize all meeting notes, references, research, and client calls in one place. - Distill the brief into clear objectives, user needs, and constraints. - **Discovery Calls & Note-taking**: Use AI note-takers (e.g., Granola) or ChatGPT to summarize and create bullet points for essential deliverables, user pain-points, and expectations. - **Persona & Use Case Exploration**: Identify user motivations, fears, and desires (e.g., trust factors for wedding reel clients, environmental concerns for eco-product users). **Actionable Tip**: Before wireframing, synthesize user insights (fears/desires) into a short list. Let that guide feature prioritization and content structure. ## 3. Research & Moodboarding - **Divergent Exploration**: Collect examples and references broadly (Pinterest, Arena, design awards sites). - **Convergent Filtering**: Narrow down visuals and layout inspirations based on project story, brand vibe, and usability needs. - **Asset Considerations**: Decide if you need photos, AI-generated visuals, or 3D mockups (and test how they fit the story). **Actionable Tip**: Save references in a Figma moodboard or dedicated folder. Tag them by what aspect you like—color, layout, typography, or imagery. ## 4. Content & Copywriting - **Storytelling**: Especially for deep-tech or big emotional products (e.g., weddings, eco-plastics), craft a narrative that hooks the user. - Example: Urgency about environmental impact before introducing the product. - **Copy First**: Some participants wrote out headings, subheadings, and bullet points before focusing on final visuals. - **Fears & Desires**: Weave user concerns directly into the copy (e.g., wedding clients’ fear of missing precious moments). **Actionable Tip**: Draft a “section-by-section” copy outline in a single doc. Validate it with potential users/mentors before refining the visuals. ## 5. Wireframing & IA (Information Architecture) - **Use Tools**: Reloom, Galileo, or mid-fidelity wireframe kits for quick structure generation. - **Section-by-Section**: List possible sections (hero, features, portfolio, testimonials, FAQs). Trim or expand based on scope. - **Progressive Detailing**: Start with simple placeholders and rough flow; refine to incorporate brand visuals and final copy. **Actionable Tip**: Generate multiple wireframe variations (particularly for the hero section) to test different approaches quickly. ## 6. Visual Design & Iteration - **Hero Section Iterations**: Duplicate and try different fonts, color schemes, or images without overwriting prior versions. - **Mood & Tone**: Decide if you’re aiming for a minimal, corporate style (e.g., straightforward corporate site) or a cinematic, emotional style (e.g., for wedding reels or urgent eco-story). - **3D & Mockups**: Evaluate if creating custom 3D assets (Blender, Spline) or using stock/mockup templates is worthwhile for the brand message and timeline. **Actionable Tip**: Always keep old versions—this helps you revert or borrow from discarded ideas when a creative block hits. ## 7. Story-Driven Approaches - **Crafting a Narrative Flow**: Hook → Tension (problem) → Solution → Validation (social proof) → CTA. - **Emotional Resonance**: Use imagery and copy that convey urgency (e.g., plastic waste) or personal significance (wedding memories). - **Length & Depth**: No strict rules on page length. Use enough sections to tell a compelling story or address user doubts. **Actionable Tip**: Identify the emotional core (e.g., “regret of not capturing moments,” “environmental crisis”). Make that a focal point in hero or early sections. ## 8. AI Tools & Tips - **ChatGPT / Custom GPT**: Summarize meeting notes, generate sections, or refine copy. - **AI Notetakers**: Granola or similar apps to capture live calls, produce transcripts, and highlight action points. - **AI Wireframing**: Reloom/Framework AI/Galileo for quick structural ideas. Often a good start but still needs manual refinement. - **AI Imagery**: Midjourney or other generators for brand-related visuals (wedding scenes, plastic pollution images, etc.). **Actionable Tip**: Use AI outputs as raw material. Curate, edit, or combine them with your personal design sense—AI rarely gives final polished solutions. ## 9. Mindset & Overcoming Blocks - **Iterative Approach**: Accept that strong designs require multiple sittings and progressive clarity. - **Connection Beats Isolation**: If stuck, consult peers, mentors, or AI chat to spark new ideas. - **Blank Creative Time**: Take purposeful breaks (walks, journaling) and let ideas incubate. **Actionable Tip**: When in doubt, produce _something_. Even a poor draft triggers feedback or fresh thinking, which is better than staring at a blank page. ## 10. Next Steps Guidance 1. **Commit to a Brief**: No progress happens until you pick a project scope. 2. **Centralize References**: Gather all notes, transcripts, moodboard items, and research in one doc or Figma file. 3. **Prototype Early**: Wireframe a first pass quickly—don’t wait for “perfect” clarity. 4. **Refine & Iterate**: Revisit copy, layout, and visuals in rounds, soliciting feedback. 5. **Integrate Story**: Align visuals, copy, and calls-to-action in a cohesive narrative. 6. **Validate & Polish**: Show mentors or peers. Confirm the design meets user needs and brand style.