[iranfromthezoo]

Hey guys I was wondering if you were like me and oftentimes you`ll find a design you just love and now you find yourself using that design more often than not. Like right now I am stuck in grunge looking stuff. I know I am a young designer and I have alot to learn, but what do you do when you get yourself stuck in that type of design rut? I want to be fresh, new, and different on everything I do. So how do you guys manage that.

[art_director]

It happens to everyone. The cure depends on you. My advice would be to find some inspiration in a new way or place. Go to museums, movies, search the web, hit a book store with a big magazine selection, etc. To me the trick is to avoid looking at what others are doing in this field -- if you can see examples of it you're too late. You need to try and find the new new, you know? Of course, knowing what's happening in advertising and design is a must, copying it is not.

[loki74]

Heh yes this happens to me a lot. And I am a young designer too. Maybe its a youg/noob thing. Oh well. It was pretty easy to get hooked on that Apple/Aqua look once I figured out how to do it almost exactly.

What helps me the best is to get a client who's looking for something else. You will find creativity you didn't know you had, often times just takes someone asking for it.

thats just my experience. (Which isn't much, but whatever.)

[budster101]

Post this when you have 10,000 plus posts in these forums... then you'll be in a real rut...

---

Seriously now:

Hang on loosely, try new things!
Be inspired by many different sources.

Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.

[Randman]

Rather than thinking you have to be "fresh, new and different on everything" change your mindset so you start thinking that you want to be "good on everything". Also, fresh and new mean the same thing and aren't that far apart from different.

[CaptainHaddock]

Well, I'd try to get out of that grunge rut pretty quick! I've never done a single job where it was appropriate.

I'm always searching for new looks and techniques to add to my repertoire. Look at lots of good design work—those "best of" books for brochures, magazines, products and such are good sources. Figure out what makes the designs work. Chances are, it's in the small details you never noticed before. Reproduce those tricks in your own work; don't worry about plagiarizing, because your own touch is bound to show through.

I'm always going through design "kicks", but I wouldn't call them ruts. Apple's own design is a constant source of inspiration...they're one of the few companies out there that not only has a competent design team, but actually leads the design industry in new directions.

[production_coordinator]

When I get stuck in a one track mentality... I'll find something on the other end of the spectrum and create something for fun (maybe for my friends, etc.)

[tpicco]

Buy a copy of Eno's "Oblique Strategies."

[Timo]

^^^Or download the shareware OS program.

[andi*pandi]

trick is recognizing it, and changing it. Are you using grunge to help the project, or your own style? What style would suit the project best? The project's needs should direct style. Sadly, unless you work for mtv or an ad agency targeting teens/20's, you're rarely going to be able to justify it.

I once realized that for 3 projects in a row I'd basically used the same color scheme. I just love purple, blue, and orange I guess.