Q&A with Dominic Flask: On the Creative Process, and the Power of Limitations

This year’s Camp NaNoWriMo design was created by Dominic Flask. You can see his “noveling by candlelight” design on this year’s poster, the 2014 T-shirt, and on the badges. After you do that, read about Dominic’s design process and how limitations can enhance his creativity:

When you begin a new creative project, how do you approach it? Are there routines that help ensure productivity?

Each project is always a little bit different in the nuances, but there are some big-picture steps that I try to follow.

First up is always research and development, questions for the client, a review of the customer base and competition, etc.

Second is the creative phase. This usually involves a shallow look at things first to gauge some initial responses. That might include sketches or a mood board type of exercise. The second step also includes the first dive on creativity as well, past the shallow look, but not too full-depth yet.