While watching Mad Men last night, I realized that to non-creatives and analytical thinkers, we creative folk may look like lazy asses who work just a few hours a day. For most of us, this couldn't be more from the truth.One will often see Don Draper laying on his couch in his office, having a drink, or skipping out of work at lunch for hours at a time. Yet, he's extremely successful. He's just a fictional character, but the writers obviously did their research. Good creatives can't sit at a computer or piece of paper for hours at a time. Successful work simply won't happen this way. Some days I may sit and design or write for only a few hours or not at all, but I'm constantly working. All day I'm thinking about design, advertising or collecting information and inspiration for later. People like us don't leave work at work, taking a drive to the store isn't just a drive to the store. It's a chance to look at dozens of advertisements, hundreds of other design solutions, and a brain-refresher. You can't force creativity like you can force yourself to solve a math problem. It takes outside stimulation, it takes an untouchable inspiration. For those of us who truly love it, it's a lifestyle, not a job. Happiness is important for creativity. Being active is essential. Sitting in an isolated bubble at your computer will result in dull, copycat-like work. Although design isn't art, design utilizes art - and art is expressive. Graphic design and advertising have specific purposes, but there's still a huge element of oneself in every solution. The work produced will only be as good as the person who produces it; unlike left-brained work, right-brained work is largely a reflection of the worker as a person. So stay happy and healthy. Go for a run, grab coffee with a friend, put yourself into nature and see the world.

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By: John