Once I interviewed for a design job with a leading toy company. I was being interviewed by a panel of the head of all the departments. They asked me how I brainstorm, and I replied "I get my best ideas in the bath". Well apparently they were not in tune with how wonderful a tool the bath/shower is because they gave me the "OMG she's an Alien" look. OK so maybe I am a bit odd, but wouldn't that kind of imagination be just what is needed in toy design?
That was my first outing in the design world after graduation. I ended up in decorative residential lighting. Those people didn't mind at all that I was quirky. Not the socially affecting kind of job I was looking for, but it was a job.
After hearing that several other of my friends use the shower method, I decided to do a little research. I turns out that this is a very effective method of creating.
Here is a link to 20 Reasons Why the Best Ideas Come in the Shower
And Why your Best Ideas Come in the ShowerWhile some suggest using a waterproof dry erase marker on the shower wall. I kind of like this idea of a waterproof Notepad I found on an AOL News post Waterproof Notepad Helps You Record Ideas in the Shower could be the best idea of all.
Notepad in the Shower and Notepad by the bedside help gather those fleeting thoughts that you just can't grab hold of once they have passed. For that matter, I wish I had a notepad in the shower a few weeks ago when I came up with the idea of this post. It took a few reminders from twitter friends to pull it back out of my subconscious.
There is a plethora of posts (I like that, plethora of posts) on ideas in the shower. You can search it yourself to see them all. But the most important thing to remember is if you are having a creative drought, just go to that secluded space and turn on the faucet. Relax and let your mind free to do it's own thing. The subconscious is an amazing thing, and the best tool we have as artists.
8 comments:
Baths and right before I fall asleep seem to be two good times to think up new ideas. There is nothing to distract me so my mind can focus.
Love the waterproof note pad!
Wishing you a great weekend!
I used to get ideas in the bathtub all the time. It is not so odd. I'm going to try relaxing in the shower and being creative. Sometimes the shower just seems a place to be busy and get out.
You are right Susan, I usually don't take as much time in the shower, I think that's why a bath works best for me. But a long shower might work, just have to stay in their a little longer.
Such a funny & interesting post - and obviously I can relate! I think it's one of the few places I really relax. And at least the kids are older that they are not always bursting in on me - well, that's not really true. I love that waterproof notepad! Also interesting that you were involved in residential lighting. I was an engineer, worked at GE Lighting and really wanted to get into lighting design. Enjoyed the times I got to do that work and I realize now that it was due to the creativity!
That's really cool, though I don't get that many ideas is the bath, I usually get more ideas in bed when I can't sleep or I'm about to fall asleep...
I get my best ideas while driving or painting. I kinda get into a zen state when looking at the road spread before me through my windshield and while rolling paint onto a blank wall. I will warn y'all before I get behind the wheel! ;)
I had a one hour commute to college. After a few near misses, I switched from a not pad to a voice recorder for ideas that popped into my head.
Read the title of this...I use to work here and your post reminded me immediately of what my boss use to say
http://ethertonlawgroup.com/client_focus_1.htm
She use to have much more in the body about "shower ideas," must have thought it a bit too personal to share...lol
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