We've all been there: you're staring at a design brief, deadline looming, but you just can't seem to get started. Whether you realize it or not, you could be struggling with designer’s block.

You’ve probably heard of its similarly frustrating cousin “writer’s block,” so you can imagine what designer's block is. Ahead, we’ll explain why designer’s block happens, and what you can do about it. 

What’s designer’s block? And is it a real thing?

Designer’s block is a creative slump or mental barrier that prevents designers from coming up with fresh ideas or executing their projects effectively. Stress, perfectionism and burnout can all contribute to that feeling of being stuck creatively, but how do we get ourselves unstuck? 

Well, first you should know that this kind of block isn’t unique to the web design industry. “The creative process is universal and applies equally to writers, artists and designers,” says Gerard Puccio, PhD, a specialist in creativity studies at Buffalo State University in New York.

Puccio says there are three main types of creativity blocks.

• Emotional: how our feelings undermine our creative imagination, like when fear and anxiousness override our thinking and limit us.

• Perceptual: the various ways in which we feed our imagination through our senses. “Perception is a stimulus to creative imagination, and when we experience the world in traditional patterns, or in a rigid and inflexible manner, it is difficult to generate original concepts and ideas,” Puccio says.

• Cognitive: how we think. “The brain is wired to conserve energy and therefore establishes patterns to be more efficient," he says. Consider how brushing your teeth or tying your shoelaces requires very little thinking—these are well worn pathways in the brain. "While patterns and habitual ways of thinking save us time and energy, they can limit our imagination.”

How to overcome designer’s block

Now that we’ve established the types of creative blocks that designers experience, here are 10 tips for managing them.

01. Limit self-criticism

Self-criticism is a key obstacle to creative imagination. “Self-criticism can facilitate a defensive mindset or enable fear to set in,” Puccio says. “The brain cannot multitask when it feels judged, so our minds stop exploring and making new connections. It defends itself.”

Keep in mind, designer’s block has nothing to do with your web design skills. One way to manage judgment: practice balancing creative and critical thinking sequentially rather than employing the two simultaneously. That means learning to suspend your judgment during your initial brainstorm period to more easily engage in free-thinking. Then, when it's truly time to judge, shift from creative thinking to critical thinking. 

02. Forget about perfection

Limiting self-criticism is easier said than done; it takes practice to be kind to yourself! But one of the first steps is letting go of the idea that everything needs to be perfect, especially during the initial stages of a creative project. 

Basically, it’s okay to get weird and messy; some of the best ideas come to us when we’re not concerned about what other people think. (And hey, weird web design is a thing.)

“Neuroscience shows us that when we get caught up in perfectionism and self-criticism our minds stop wandering,” Puccio says. “We literally stop making new associations and connections. However, when we relax and allow our minds to freely wonder, we're more likely to hit upon new combinations and new insights.”

Mind-mapping, moodboards or sketching by hand are all simple tools that help us engage in what’s called “divergent thinking,” or rather, thinking that allows the mind to freely explore options and to make new associations. 

03. Use AI tools

AI web design tools can help you practice divergent thinking, too. “Looking forward, the most successful ideas likely won’t come from bright thinkers alone," says Jan Bieser, senior researcher and speaker at Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, which published a study on AI and creativity. "They'll come from those best at mindfully steering intelligent machines while remaining firmly in the driver’s seat.” Check out the latest Wix Studio AI tools.

04. Take a mental break

“If you ask people when and where they have those aha moments, they’re usually not at work," says Steven Smith, PhD, who studies creativity at Texas A&M University. "They’re taking a walk, driving in the car or taking a shower.”

Those aha or eureka moments are part of a creative process that can be broken down into four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination and verification. During incubation, we stop actively working on the problem and engage in low-demand tasks like walking or driving or showering, allowing our minds to subconsciously process ideas. Illumination is the "aha" moment when a breakthrough solution emerges from the subconscious and is recognized by the conscious mind.

05. Embrace constraints

Studies suggest that limitations can actually foster creativity because they force innovative solutions within defined boundaries. If you’re feeling stuck, try establishing time limits to solve a problem to encourage quick thinking and less over-analysis. Restricting font choices or color palettes can also help narrow down options and encourage you to think more creatively within the available parameters.

06. Collaborate

Collaboration can be a powerful tool for overcoming creative blocks. Working with others, especially those who approach problems differently, can help generate new ideas. A fresh set of eyes or an open brainstorming session can lead to breakthroughs you might not have discovered solo. 

07. Bring the outdoors in

Our physical environments play a huge role in stimulating or stifling creativity. Numerous studies have shown that access to nature can boost creative output, but since we can’t all escape to the forest every time we have a creative block, we can make simple changes in our workspaces that can bring the outdoors in. Introducing elements like plants or natural lighting can have a significant impact on your overall mindset while working. 

08. Practice designer self-care

Stress and anxiety make it harder for us to think creatively or work through creative blocks. 

This is why self-care is critical. In addition to taking regular breaks or finding time for physical activity, incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing can help manage anxiety and provide clarity when approaching new design challenges. Setting boundaries like limiting work hours and managing client expectations is also essential for reducing pressure.

Finally, engaging in hobbies outside of design offers a mental escape, which can also inspire fresh ideas without the weight of productivity. 

09. Look for new experiences

The mind is stimulated by novelty. Puccio says that one way to clearly break a mental block and to simulate imagination is to expose yourself to new concepts and experiences. 

“The more we feed our minds, the more material we have to combine into new concepts,” he says. “Openness to experiences is one of the personality traits most associated with successful creativity.”  So, “to create new patterns in our brains, novel experiences are critical.”

10. Engage in a creative ritual

Many experts, including Puccio, recommend developing a creative routine or ritual. Whether it’s starting your day with a sketch or creating a dedicated time for brainstorming, a consistent routine can train your brain to shift into creative mode more easily. Maybe one day it will be just as easy as brushing your teeth.

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