The Creative Drought We Don’t Talk About
I wonder who started the myth that creatives are an endless font of brilliance, cranking out original ideas over breakfast like they’re on some kind of magical caffeine drip. We all know that’s not true. Sometimes, the ideas just aren’t flowing. Cue the panic. Before you start spiraling, here’s some good news, you don’t need divine inspiration to look like a creative genius. In fact, with the right moves, you can trick everyone (including yourself) into thinking you’ve got it all figured out. Here’s your crash course in faking it until you make it—creative-style.
1. Borrow (aka, “Draw Inspiration From”) Existing Ideas
All the greats did it. Picasso, Warhol, pretty much everyone on Instagram. The trick to looking brilliant when you’re fresh out of ideas is to “repurpose” concepts that are already out there. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just give it a new coat of paint and call it avant-garde.
Take a concept you love, twist it, turn it upside down, daar het jy dit! What was once “referencing” is now a “modern reinterpretation.” Feel free to toss in words like “homage” and “reinterpretation” to give it that art-school glow.
2. Embrace the Buzzword Potjie
When in doubt, jargon it out. There’s no shortage of industry buzzwords to hide behind… synergy, disruptive, paradigm shift, innovative… you get the idea. Stack enough of them together and you can almost guarantee no one will ask for a deeper explanation.
Here’s a tip from a pro – the more buzzwords, the better. Imagine you’re pitching to a client who just read a trending LinkedIn article on “agile brand development” and wants to feel like they’re in the know. In other words, just keep saying things like “strategic integration of touchpoints,” and watch them nod.
3. Go Monochrome, Call It Minimalism
If the design ideas just aren’t sparking, remember that less can be more. Create a clean, stripped-down, black-and-white look, add a single striking colour for “contrast,” and you’re suddenly the minimalist mastermind.
Minimalism is basically creative shorthand for “I ran out of ideas but want it to look intentional.” With the right attitude, a simple design becomes a “bold artistic statement.” Add a sentence about the power of simplicity, and suddenly, everyone’s applauding your restraint and vision.
4. Use Abstract Shapes and Call It “Expressive Design”
If minimalism doesn’t work… go abstract. Smudge it, blur it, and layer random shapes in unexpected ways, and call it “experimental.” If anyone asks what it means, just say, “It’s meant to evoke emotion.” Boom! — thank me later.
Clients will see what they want to see, and you can play the role of abstract genius. The more obscure, the better. Just throw in a cryptic explanation, like “It represents the fluidity of human experience.” Nailed it.
5. Recycle the Same Layout in Different Colors
If it worked once, it’ll work again… and again… and again. Simply recycle an old layout and swap in a new colour scheme. It’s a classic move that’s been fooling people for ages, and the best part? It actually works.
Pitch it as a “new seasonal variation” or a “bold reinterpretation of an existing design.” The client will likely praise your “continuity in branding,” and you get to pat yourself on the back for extending a single concept into three separate deliverables.
6. Add a Poetic Tagline (Even If It Doesn’t Make Sense)
When in doubt, slap on a moody, mysterious tagline borrowed an emo band. People love that stuff. The more vague, the better. Throw in some words like “awakening,” “limitless,” or “undiscovered.”
A cryptic tagline gives the impression of depth, even if you have no idea what it means. Your client will assume you’re working on a whole different plane of genius, and your colleagues might even think you’re deep in your creative feels.
7. Use Stock Photos, Just Make Them Look “Ironic”
Stock photos can be your best friend in times of creative drought—if you use them ironically, of course. The key is to pick the most stereotypical stock images possible and present them with a wink.
Choose a painfully generic photo, slap on a moody filter, add an artsy tagline like, “In a world of endless choices, sometimes simplicity speaks louder,” and you’ve created an “ironic” masterpiece. People will think you’re making a statement when really, you just Googled “business man pointing at charts.”
8. Over-Explain the Concept (So No One Dares Question It)
Here’s a psychological trick, if you want people to believe your idea is brilliant, just explain it like it’s incredibly profound. Use complex language, reference obscure theories, and act as if every colour choice was meticulously planned for maximum impact.
The more convoluted your explanation, the less likely anyone is to challenge it. It’s reverse psychology at its finest—when they feel out of their depth, they’ll assume it’s just that good.
9. Put a Trendy Twist on an Old Classic
Vintage is cool again, and so is anything “retro-inspired.” The best part? You can literally recycle ideas from decades ago and call it “retro chic.” Add some grainy textures, faded colours, and nostalgic fonts, and you’re golden.
Tell people it’s “timeless with a modern twist,” and suddenly it’s the freshest thing since sliced bread. It’s basically recycling with a hip, stylish veneer—everyone wins, especially you.
10. Give Your Concept a Fake Backstory
Ever notice how people love a good origin story? When you’re out of ideas, invent a dramatic backstory for your concept. Make it sound like this campaign was born out of some emotional epiphany, or inspired by a distant memory of a “profound experience.”
Clients eat this up. They’ll think you’re connecting with the brand on a deeply personal level when really, you’re just trying to make it through the meeting. Just start with, “This concept came to me in a flash of inspiration,” and watch everyone hang on to your every word.
No but really… Sometimes, the best ideas don’t come when you need them to, but with these tried-and-true tricks, you can look like a creative genius even when the inspiration is running on empty. The key is all in the presentation—if you sound confident and add just the right amount of irony, you can make any idea feel fresh and exciting.
So next time you’re staring at that blank canvas, don’t panic. Remember, creativity is as much about selling the idea as it is about the idea itself. Now go forth, create (or look like you’re creating), and let everyone believe you’re at the peak of your genius.
