Nimbo: Exploring and Conquering the Creative Process
Senior Thesis Project
Introduction
The primary goal of "Nimbo" was to challenge the traditional notion that creativity relies solely on inspiration. Instead, I aimed to demonstrate that by committing to a consistent routine and disciplined approach, anyone can unlock their creative potential. This project was also a personal journey of branding myself through the symbols and doodles that emerged from this disciplined practice.
Background
The idea for "Nimbo" stemmed from my own struggles with creative slumps and the realization that waiting for inspiration wasn’t sustainable. I wanted to explore whether disciplined practice could generate creative momentum, and "Nimbo" became the vehicle for this exploration. The project’s name, "Nimbo," was chosen to evoke a sense of lightness and playfulness, contrasting with the often heavy and serious discussions around creative blocks. As my final senior studio assignment, "Nimbo" was an opportunity to showcase my growth as a designer and to experiment with personal branding. This project was not just about producing a final piece; it was about documenting a process and proving a point that creativity can be cultivated through discipline.
Research & Ideation
I began by researching various approaches to creativity, focusing on the habits and routines of successful artists and designers. I delved into studies on how consistent practice can lead to breakthroughs, contrasting this with the idea of waiting for inspiration. This research reinforced my belief that discipline is a critical component of creativity. With this understanding in mind, I planned to fill two sketchbooks with daily doodles, setting a routine that I followed rigorously. The aim was to generate a large volume of work over time, from which I could later select pieces that best represented the diversity and evolution of my creative output. These doodles would then form the basis of my personal brand, "Nimbo."Nimbo Sketchbooks
Execution
With the doodles as the foundation, I developed the "Nimbo" brand. This included creating a logo and visual identity that reflected the playful and light-hearted nature of the doodles. The brand was applied to a range of clothing items, including shirts, sweatshirts, and a hoodie, which were personally screenprinted and sold through an online web-store. Each piece of clothing featured select doodles from the sketchbooks, turning them into wearable art and extending the brand beyond just a visual project.
Design Exibition
Final Nimbo Hoodie Design
Screen Printing Process
Outcome
The final poster is a culmination of the "Nimbo" project, showcasing a curated selection of doodles from my sketchbooks. The poster serves as both a visual summary of my disciplined creative journey and a testament to the power of consistency. The layout is intentionally simple, drawing attention to the doodles themselves, which vary in style but are unified by the underlying theme of persistence. The brand identity was carefully crafted to reflect the project's ethos—light, playful, and grounded in discipline. The clothing items were designed to be more than just apparel; they were expressions of the creative process, making "Nimbo" a tangible extension of my personal brand. The project not only allowed me to explore the depths of my creative process but also provided me with a platform to develop and launch a personal brand. "Nimbo" has shaped my approach to creativity, reinforcing that the key to overcoming slumps is not to wait for inspiration, but to work through them with consistency.