This is graphic design tip #21 on how to make your work area conducive to creativity. This was in response to design tip #21 in our post, 101 Graphic Design Tips for Business Success.

Are You A “Clutter Creative” Or A “Zen Minimalist” Graphic Designer?

Whether you work in a commercial office space, private cubicle or the comfort of your own home, how you structure your environment can have a tremendous impact on your ability to court the your creative Muse.

The best way to do this is different for everyone. Some people need inspirational quotes and pictures, while others need an environment clear of distractions.

You may view yourself as a “clutter creative”, and work best surrounded by creative triggers and treasures, or you may find yourself more productive as a “zen minimalist”, comfortable with the barest or inspirational essentials. What is important is that your environment be inspiring to you.

And even if you are not a “super-neat-freak”, it is still a good idea not to have your creative sanctuary scattered with items that are not beneficial to your design process. Try to keep your creative world free of old coffee cups, used tissue paper and half-eaten croissants.

Creative Groove: Get Rid Of Distractions

You are the foremost expert on what type of surroundings you need to tinder creative spark. There are also a few things that are almost always detrimental to an optimal work environment.

Pets, phone calls, IM or online chat, are all a few distractions that can get in the way of premium production time. Studies show that it takes you twenty minutes to get into a “creative groove” so every interruption will pull you off the track of getting your work done.

In order to optimize your time wisely, try to minimize all activities and demands that can pull at your focus and detract from your ability to create and construct. Try to schedule your creative moments when you can be free of focus-stealing activities.

If you have everything in place and your operative environment still fails to inspire you, try something completely different. Take a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains, a yoga class or a good long run. Sometimes you need to just take a break and step away from your project in order to replenish your creative juices.