Keeping a journal or a sketchbook is a personal experience for everyone, and only you can find the best approach to suit your needs for creative expression.
Lucky for us their is more then one way to keep a journal or sketchbook, and more then one type of journal/sketchbook you can work in.
Besides a written journal where you can work out the emotional aspects of your art and process, or a standard sketchbook where you work out your design development, you can also have a visual journal, a technical journal, and a business journal.
Lucky for us their is more then one way to keep a journal or sketchbook, and more then one type of journal/sketchbook you can work in.
Besides a written journal where you can work out the emotional aspects of your art and process, or a standard sketchbook where you work out your design development, you can also have a visual journal, a technical journal, and a business journal.
A Visual Journal - is used to record, collect, and explore objects, subjects, situations, and experiences. The information in your visual journal should expand your design thinking, explore your aspects of visual design, and become a central resource for your work. Your visual journal could include sketches, drawings, diagrams, sample objects, photo's, literature, or anything stimulating.
I love art and jewelry magazines for inspiration, so my visual journal is a binder with ripped out pages from the magazines in page protectors. It also helps so I don't have stacks and stacks of magazines all over my house.
Find a way to collect your inspiration in a format that you will have easy access for everyday use.
A Technical Journal - can be used as part of you regular sketchbook and journal process. Save some space to record your process of exploration, and the outcome. Think of it as a recipe book. Use it to record supplies, where to purchase them, how they are used, and special requirements. A technical journal is one way to avoid having to constantly reinvent the wheel.
A Business Journal - is a place to track your business activities connected to your business. I use my planner to track my business activities, and with the information I gather I hope to be able to set better goals for next year.
Which ever type of journal you choose to use, each one will help you discover your creative style and guide you to create and run your business.
Have you ever tried any of these types of journals? Share your experience of how keeping one has helped in your creative process.
I don't keep a journal for my craft, but now you've got me thinking about it. Sometimes I get ideas and if I don't write them down, I don't always remember to use them. It probably would be a good idea to keep track of how things went one year to the next. For example, I could keep track of what sells during the holiday season so that next year I could have a jump start on it. I could also use it to tweak ideas. I'm just not that organized!!! But this would also give me a good excuse to peruse the gorgeous handmade journals on Etsy. :)
ReplyDeleteI do actually keep a journal for my three kids. I write in them periodically (not as much as when they were babies) about funny things they say or milestones. It's fun to go back and read that. Those journals are basic ones I bought at Target years ago, before I knew anything about Etsy or handmade. Now I know better!
I have an inspiration journal to jot down my creative ideas and keep pieces of inspiration in. I also have a journal for writing in but am not the best about making time to do so. I need to schedule time each week to do it because I really like looking back on what I write about my life, family, etc. and would hope that my children would treasure it one day too.
ReplyDeleteMaybeads and Kerry thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI keep a sketchbook, a visual journal, and a business journal. I don't use them as often as I would like, but to help me get into the habit I am going to start a 30 day journal challenge.
Stop back again soon, and join me.