Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / Do you want to be an Architect? / The Creative Process for an Architect

The Creative Process for an Architect

November 6, 2013 by Bob Borson 28 Comments

People frequently ask “Where does the inspiration come from during your creative process?” … enough so that I thought I would try to answer that question in the form of a post. When I’m staring at a blank piece of paper, how do I start? Where do I get my inspiration??

To answer a question about creativity, I think most people need to take a step back and  think about their creative process. Most people tend to focus on the “creative” part of the equation when they really should be focusing on the “process” part. It is a process … it takes time, and despite the fact that legendary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto said “You can’t chew pencils and spit ideas”, being creative is work and you shouldn’t expect to sit down and be struck with genius … at least not all the time.

I tend to break my own creative process into three different and distinct categories:

Distraction noun \di-ˈstrak-shən\ : something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention : something that amuses or entertains you so that you do not think about problems, work, etc.

Inspiration noun \in(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən\ : something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone

Creation noun \krē-ˈā-shən\ : the act of making or producing something that did not exist before : the act of creating something

.

Pretty straight-forward but I don’t really know which one to use when the ideas aren’t flowing .. so let’s start with the easiest one – Distraction.

Distraction - Pencils in the ceiling

Throwing pencils into the ceiling is about as juvenile as distractions come but it seems to work for me. I’ll never have that big of a pencil collection stabbed into the ceiling because I like my pencils too much … I eventually go and retrieve them before too long.

Distraction - toys 02 black and white

This is ‘CubeBot‘ and it is one of the few toys I have around my work space. CubeBot came into existence when I bought him for an office gift exchange and I recommended to one of my office mates that he should select my present – thinking he would like it. Despite his initial trepidation, he took the gift and CubeBot immediately came to live up at the office. Eventually I had to buy my own CubeBot because my friend HATED when he would come into the office and find that “someone” had messed with HIS CubeBot. The bottom right hand picture is what I found one day when I came into the office [sad face], someone was tired of my antics.

It was a great distraction while it lasted.

.

Next, let’s move on to ‘Inspiration’.

Distraction - books and magazines

Seeing something that you like, and then taking the time to understand why you like it, is a very rewarding process that frequently affects the way you ultimately see a thing. There is no shortage of books and magazines in my office – and I am deluged with new design magazines and trade periodicals daily. While the information is sometimes outdated by the time I see it, the process of critically looking at what other designers are doing is very inspirational.

.

Finally there is ‘Creation.’

Life of an Architect Bob Borson

There is a story behind why I started this website – and it is summarized by saying I needed a creative diversion. In the beginning – back in early 2010 – things were somewhat slow at the office and I needed a creative outlet … and Life of an Architect was born. I am constantly amazed by the amount of effort required to maintain this site. Just coming up with the topics is a challenge in and of itself but the real challenge is how I have had to learn a million new things in order to fill out some idea of concept for an article and then execute it in a way that reflects the point I am trying to convey and still maintains some “bob personality” along with it. Maybe it doesn’t sound hard but it is – at least it’s hard for me.

To date, this site has existed a total of 1,396 days – that’s almost 4 years – and I have written 551 articles, prepared 4,359 images and graphics, and made 3 terrible videos. They aren’t all winners but I had to start with a blank screen when I created each one. This sometimes involved research, teaching myself new skills … and most importantly, it forced me to evaluate why I think about something the way I do so I could try to explain my position/ reasoning to others. At times it feels like the worst kind of homework (the “voluntary” kind) but even 4 years later, it still fills a creative void. On ‘Life of an Architect’ I can do whatever I decide to do, I can explore my own interests, and I can chase any rabbit I want down the rabbit hole.

The very definition of creativity is the act of making or producing something that did not exist before – I can’t think of an example easier to point at than this entire web site. If you ever wanted a reason why you should start your own website – for professional or personal reasons – if you’re an architect, there only needs to be one reason – creativity.

So that’s a look at my own creative process – or at least, how I jump-start my creative process. Sometimes it means not doing anything, while at other times, it means that the act of constantly trying to be creative actually helps me when I need to be creative.

Cheers,

Bob Borson signature

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

Small, Big, Really Small, and Just Right

Residential Construction Costs

EP 94: Ask the Show - 2022 Spring Edition

Conference Calls are Killing Me

Photography and My Life

Cork Flooring: A modern floor choice

Concrete Floors

Life of an Architect Playhouse Competition - 2012

Deconstruction versus Demolition
Renzo Piano Kimbell Art Museum Sneak Peek

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Filed Under: Do you want to be an Architect?, Observations Tagged With: blog, design, Do you want to be an Architect, Writing a blog

Search Life of an Architect

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance - or if you simply want to show appreciation for the content produced on this site

Thanks!
Other Amount
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

Trending on Life of an Architect

Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Ep 176: Little White Lies
Ten Cathedrals to see before you die
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Reflected Ceiling Plans
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Architectural Graphics 101 - Layers
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2025 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...