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How to tap into your most creative self

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Research shows that we are all capable of being creative, but for those of us who can barely draw a stick figure, this doesn’t always come naturally. To help bring out your inner Banksy, professional artist and UNSW alumnus Chris Yee has shared key insights on how to access and apply creativity.

Creativity is a special commodity in the workplace these days – browse the latest job ads and you’re sure to find various references to ‘creative ideas’ and ‘design thinking’.

While these buzzwords were once dominated by areas like fashion, music and marketing, creativity is now sought by all sectors as the need for a more visual and creative point of difference is at an all-time high. Further, creativity is proven to advance problem solving, heighten engagement, and is a crucial stepping stone towards the much coveted outcome of ‘innovation’.

Research shows that we are all capable of being creative, but for those of us who can barely draw a stick figure, this doesn’t always come naturally. To help bring out your inner Banksy, professional artist and UNSW alumnus Chris Yee has shared key insights on how to access and apply creativity.

Your creativity makes you unique

Every person has a different and unique sense of expression. You’ll never quite get the same result twice to any given creative challenge. If you think you’re not following the status quo, or what you’re doing is ‘too different’, then keep doing it!

Inspiration isn’t plucked from thin air

Don’t get stuck staring at a blank piece of paper waiting for inspiration – you need to go out and find it. To tap into my own creativity, I surround myself with strong references and inspiration in the field I work in. Every day we are constantly surrounded by visual branding, art direction, and creative design whether it is social media, the places we visit recreationally, or the gadgets we use. There is so much to take inspiration from.

Funnily enough, I also find doing mundane things that aren’t creative at all to be super rejuvenating for me creatively – this includes watching movies, going for jogs, eating banh mi, and so on.

Apply the same process in life and work

The creative process is relatively similar whether you’re applying it personally or professionally. Creativity is, for the most part, a very human and organic process no matter how corporate or systematic a brief could be.

A common misconception is that creativity should always be unfettered – but like work, creativity is most effective when paired with strategic planning, as this often also involves applying ‘design thinking’ to a project.  I find most of my creative ideas come in the pre-production stage, where I’m setting timelines, budgets and most of the boring backend stuff to create a security blanket. The rest, hopefully, is a joy to do and embodies pure creativity!

Trust in the Tube

It doesn’t sound impressive, but YouTube is a great tool to learn raw skills and apply your creative ideas. I was never formally educated in animation but learned 99% of my base skills off YouTube tutorials. My commercial work recently has been focused solely on animation and by learning these skill sets, can apply to my own exhibitions or personal work.

Be patient, but disciplined

Always keep creating, whether professionally or not, everything takes time and results don't come overnight. Be open to new ideas too, the creative industry is constantly changing so it’s important to keep an open mind around mediums, ideas, and social expectations.

I think the most important part of both commercial and personal creative work is time. Being realistic – and then strict – with time and knowing how to juggle your life around it to manage (I’m still figuring that one out)!

Chris YeeChris Yee (BDes ’11) is a Sydney-based artist/illustrator who specializes in traditional “pen and paper” methodologies. After studying graphics and textiles at COFA (now UNSW Art & Design), Chris discovered his love of illustration and incorporated this into his unique style and overall design process. Raised by the power of print, Chris’ main influences stem and vary from ’90s post-apocalyptic manga, rap and punk aesthetics. As well as his own artistic projects, Chris works as a niche freelance creative for select clients including Diplo, Red Bull, VIVID Festival Sydney, Paul Frank, Sony Pictures, Vans, and Harley Davidson.

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