Design Epiphany

I think all artists go through this. I think all of us here at PS have experienced a dry spell when working on our layouts. It is normal. I don't know if this would help you, but I recently watched a program on famous artists. I did not know that Picasso in his early days painted very realistic. But he was not happy with that style just because it was the trend. He deviated from it to create what he felt inside and thus developed his own style, which we all know today as crooked faces and bizarre shapes. I think sometimes the block comes when we feel we have to follow trends instead of following what we know inside. A sharp shift, or what seems to be, can sometimes bring a whole new, exciting and refreshing opportunity.

Dear Marisa, I find it very admirable that you were able to articulate your troubles and feelings in such a profound way and that you still remain positive, focusing on a brighter tomorrow. Everyone here already said such wonderful things. I agree with them all and couldn't formulate it in a more beautiful way. I also think that it is very important to create what you love and not to create simply to create. There are already so many wonderful pieces published on this site in short periods of time, so it's okay to sit back for while every now and then, to do some self-reflecting and to find new inspiration. I've seen your style change somewhat over the years and always loved seeing you dive into new trends of the digital scrapbooking world, like washi tape, wood, paint, plastic pockets, gold, and lately also the more doodling style. I used to see a lot of grungy and distressed paper textures in your bundles, but nowadays it evolved into a more modern and clean look. What I haven't seen change is your love for bright colors, cute things (like butterflies and flowers and such), your playfulness and touches of fun and your references to paper scrapbooking which I absolutely love! The bundles you create always contain a rich variety of papers and type of elements and your sense of color is fabulous. I always love to create layouts with your designs and am often inspired by it. I hope you'll be able to find your designer identity again and regain your love for designing.

I think what you are going through is part of the process. Art is all about searching ... no matter what that art may be. I have gone through many a metamorphosis through my art life. I find I change and when I change then my art has to change to. Congratulations on being able to 'see' your next step.

Marisa, wow. I love how open and honest you are about your designer's block and design identity crises. It's hard to be open about that sort of thing, especially to your customers. As you know, I too am a designer and I also jumped right into digital design. I learned photoshop and within a couple of weeks, started selling my designs. I jumped straight into the deep in, over a waterfall and even a year later, when I applied to guest design on sites, I had someone tell me that I had no clear design style and was all over the place. I too was creating just to get stuff out there and none of it was bad but I had to ask myself those same questions you spoke of. "Do I like it?" "Would I buy and use this?" and of course "What do I want to design?" I started really zoning in on what I wanted to create and what sold well for me and looked at how my customers and creative team described my designs and eventually found my niche.

As for what I think your style is, you are quite eclectic in that you are very good at all different types of design which is why it can be hard to pinpoint I am sure but in looking through your designs and thinking of what I have downloaded and used of yours, I believe that what I see as the most inspired designs are the ones that are personal to you like the ones from your travels and your life. The chinese new year or ocean themed collections are nice but they are no where near as inspired and personal as your collections named after places you've been or your artsy packs such as the passport stamp pack and gesso strokes and such. The doodles are nice but again, don't seem personal to you. Your textures and scanned items and things I know you personal created by hand or hand a connection with really stand out as your design style. You love rich colors and metallics and put a bit of fine art into your designs which I LOVE!

Keep on going, we all go through ruts and remember "Not all those who wander are lost." -JR Tolkien Sometimes, wandering and exploring who you are doesn't mean you're lost but that you are simply taking the time to find yourself.

I don't really have any good advice. I think that you voiced part of what I've struggled with when I've thought about designing. I'd really like to, but there are a whole lot of reasons I don't. I hope that you find a good path for yourself and that you make yourself happy first and foremost. :)

I think like Sheila, it's better to design the papers and elements YOU would use on YOUR layouts. A few months ago, I started designing, and I was trying to think what others would buy or want. But I wasn't happy and I wasn't using what I was designing. So now I've rebranded and decided to design what I like to use on MY own personal layouts. And with only 5 kits so far, I've used my kits more than I ever have before!!!

somethings to consider: your recent move, the huge growth of your website and all it's admin needs, the explosion of change and diversity in the digital scrap world in the past couple of years....
ideas for finding more joy in your work: new sources of inspiration including: music, art, drama, literature and basing designs on what you like - looking for new websites/galleries that you haven't spent time on before, especially if they are really different from what you are used to -
the addition of multiple designers has added to the volume and variety of your site and may free you up a bit to focus on what you really enjoy and not have as much pressure to meet all the needs of your users.
you and jordan have the best scrap site on the internet (always have) that is based on a generosity and love for digital scrapping. you have loyal and grateful users that support and wish the best for you! please allow yourself all the time and space you need to sort through this period. all artists and their work go through seasons of change and growth, and it will be a delight to continue to watch your art grow in whatever way brings you satisfaction and joy. your experience will help many of us with our own struggles. your art work and website have brought so much joy to me (and so many others) over the years and i wish for it to return to you double.
I do not know if my perspective on your art work is accurate, but my guess is that it is based in traditional scrapping with a fun, playful and upbeat feel to it. (no idea if that's any help at all!) i'm always grateful for all you continue to do!