How to Develop Your Creative Skills: 7 Tips from Industry Experts
In today’s fast-changing world, creativity is one of the most essential skills to develop, regardless of industry. So what exactly are creative skills in this day and age? Defined as “the ability to think in new, original and effective ways”, it’s clear how important this is for careers in marketing, communication, and the arts. But creative skills are equally crucial in business, tech, education, and science, where problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation matter more than ever.
Yet keeping your creative energy fresh is a challenge for almost anyone. Creativity isn’t something you master once; it’s an ongoing practice. Like a muscle, the more consistently you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.
Tips from our creative course directors
So, how do you develop and strengthen your creative skills? We asked several of our course directors from Berghs’ International Programs to share their best tips on not only sustaining their creativity, but continuing to grow it.
Henrik von Sydow
1. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN REAL LIFE
Stay creatively charged by living curiously. Dive headfirst into culture, conversation and community – whether it’s a great film, an exhibition, a play, a political debate, or a dinner with people who challenge how you think, speak and see the world.
Sara Avedal
2. GET MOVING
One of my best and simplest ways to boost creativity is to move my body. I often go for a run and by the time I get back, I have a whole new set of ideas. Even a short walk can shift how the brain works. Physical activity increases blood flow, dopamine and supports focus, learning and mental flexibility. In other words: you create the conditions the brain needs to generate new ideas and make unexpected connections.
Herman Kipowski
3. SEEK VARIETY & EMBRACE INEXPERIENCE
To design and create, it’s especially important to look for inspiration from a diverse range of sources – everything from accounts on Instagram to seeing something in the subway, someone you meet, or something you read in a news article. I also try to put myself in work situations or projects that are totally unfamiliar. I think the best accelerator for development is not knowing how to do something.
Malcolm Larri
4. LEARN FROM EXPERTS
I’m always inspired by examples of success and resilience, especially in sports, entertainment and business. Keeping up with market trends and evolving tech also keeps me energized, often through podcasts and audiobooks. A few of my favorites are:
Rich Roll: https://www.richroll.com/
Pivot: https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/pivot
Masters of Scale: https://mastersofscale.com/
Michel Megherbi
5. GET UNCOMFORTABLE
I actively look for uncomfortable angles – situations and challenges that force me to think differently. When things get too comfortable, I stop evolving. I find inspiration everywhere: in museums, in everyday situations, in conversations. But honestly, some of my best breakthroughs happen in the shower. There’s something about letting go of the problem that allows the solution to find you instead.
My most important rule: Keep learning new tools and techniques constantly, but never lose sight of why you started creating in the first place. I always look for the joyful feeling I had as a kid. The excitement. That’s how I usually know I’m on the right track.
Emelie Cheng Pollard
6. DO SIDE PROJECTS - WITH LIMITATIONS
Make time for side projects that feed your curiosity. Act on those ideas that bring you joy, even if they might seem impractical, far-fetched, or might have already been done by someone else. Dare to try and dare to fail – but new learnings, skills and connections will be guaranteed. When creating your own briefs, keep in mind that ironically, having fewer options often leads to greater creativity. Limit your word count, colors, time limit, tools, budget, or materials. Setting and embracing constraints forces you to be resourceful and inventive.
Adam Springfeldt
7. DON'T FORGET TO PLAY
Play. Seriously, play.
Pop your filter bubble. Force feed your brain with what's outside its comfort zone of opinions, tastes, and interests.
Listen more than you talk.
Aim to make work that could sit next to Eilish, Kubrick, Kendrick or Kusama.
Creative Programs at Berghs School of Communications
Feeling inspired? If you’re curious about taking the next step in developing your creative skills, a higher education can provide both the structure and inspiration you need. At Berghs School of Communication you’ll find the Advanced Portfolio and Berghs Bachelor programs are designed to help you grow. You can also find more inspiration from our online courses. With a hands-on approach and close ties to the industry, Berghs gives you the tools to turn creativity into real-world impact.