When creativity is the driving force of your entire life (work, hobby, relaxation, holiday), it's normal to have fluctuating levels of creative motivation. When your motivation takes a dip-dive, it's comforting to have a structure or strategy in place for maintaining your momentum.
At AW, we have reliable methods for reconnecting with inspiration and process to ensure we can always make creativity work with us, for you.
1. We always return to the studio.
When the day is long and projects are challenging, we can always trust a moment in the studio to play, experiment and regroup.
At AW everyone is encouraged to have an active personal arts practice, whatever form that takes, whether it be yoga, painting, carving hand planes or writing. Integrating creative activities into our work processes, such as drawing, researching and collaging is also key to developing authentic and unique outcomes. This approach also helps drive collective professional and personal development, as well as nurturing lateral thought processes and creative problem solving.
2. Flexible leave and working arrangements are important to the AW crew!
Our directors know how vital relaxation and time out is to the health and vitality of our staff. We can work from home, the office or any optimal space, as long as there's WiFi of course. Personal creative projects such as art exhibitions are encouraged, as well as attending industry events (more on that later), lunchtime stretch/napping and semi-regular coffee breaks. We work smart, as well as hard.
3. Art is a part of our professional creative process.
When working on client projects our development process begins with a sketch on paper, on canvas, as a series of photos, on a Pinterest board or a list. Relying on these methods as a starting point, as a comforting routine, is a helpful pathway to free-flowing creativity.
4. We talk about it.
Our office is open. By keeping the conversations open and honest, we all feel welcome to talk about how we’re feeling and what we’re thinking. It's normal to experience dips and peaks in creativity. Normalising this across our business practices with encouragement, understanding and support, has been a vital part of how we adapt to changing times!
Conversations about non-work things over a gin or coffee are also considered an AW essential – building real connections as friends and a creative community. This part of our culture is vital and deeply treasured.
5. A finger on the pulse.
Staying in touch with your industry is a great way to stay inspired and motivated to create. As much as possible we try to contribute and listen to the current dialogue surrounding art, design and culture, learning from others and sharing our own discoveries. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 lots of galleries, museums, artist initiatives and collectives have been shifting to the online space, so you can comfortably, safely and in your pyjamas, explore creative wonders.
6. A sense of community and shared human resources.
We help each other. Sometimes all you need is a prompt, some positive words, critical chit-chat or inspiration from your friends. Having a community of diverse humans to draw upon can make all the difference. If you are looking to connect with other creative beings around you, look to local art studios, galleries, community groups, events – connect with everyone online and stay up to date with what's happening around you. Become part of the conversation. Look up your local crew and say hi (digitally).
Our recommendations for those on the Gold Coast include:
GC Arts and Culture Facebook Page
HOTA
The Walls GC
Mint Art House
Level Up
Bleach
Swell
Dust Temple
Ladies Wine and Design
M-Arts
+ more.
In the time of COVID-19 creativity, as work or personal practice, can feel elusive and a challenging pursuit. Step back, take a break and saying no is all a part of coming to terms with the new world we exist in, after all that’s what we have done to continue doing what we do. Look after yourself and know that it is okay not to hustle but to respond to our collective shift as you feel is right.
Animations by AW Junior Designer, Elke Gill.