233 TIPS ON GRAPHICS AND VISUAL DESIGN If you’re waiting for a “lightbulb moment” to give you creative inspiration, consider this: Neuroscience tells us that the flash of inspiration only comes at the end of a long neural chain of tiny, incremental ideas. So roll up your sleeves and earn your next flash of creativity. Margie Meacham, LearningToGo Canva is an easy-to-use tool that I use to create designs for web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations, and more. There are helpful templates to explore for ideas, and many are free or cost just $1. This tool is a big help and nurtures my creativity. Try it at Canva.com. Caroline Cerveny, Digital Disciple Network When you are watching TV or a movie, think about what you see, hear, feel, and learn, and how you might apply each of those to your next creative learning project. Take a photo of what you see, jot down some notes, or sketch out a reminder and add that to a folder on your device to quickly reference when you start your next project. Nick Floro, Sealworks Interactive Studios I work in a country where design and the fine arts are not taught in public schools at either the primary or secondary level, except in some private schools. At the university where I teach, the creative design department is part of the College of Science and Technology and therefore admits students who excel primarily in math and science. The majority of our students have never heard of design or attended art class. The first year, we teach foundation modules in a format that can be described as a crash course, attempting to bring in everything they should have been taught in primary and secondary. Unfortunate as it is, I often have to discuss finding inspiration and nurturing creativity as an everyday activity, not just a class subject. I always remind them to journey back to nursery age; or, simpler, imagine a sibling of that age and see how everything inspires them—just the fact that they are alive, they touch, they stare, they shout, they cry, in contrast to how we behave as adults. I tell them inspiration is everywhere if one wants to see it, feel it, use it; and with that, creativity can be nurtured. Henry Miheso, University of Rwanda If you work on an instructional design team, make it a habit to regularly present your work once every two weeks or every month. This is a good way to learn from others as well as receive critiques on your work. It also provides great inspiration. Maria Mejia, Jefferson Health Keep reading about learning techniques, which can generally be applied to eLearning projects. Play games—board games, video games—no matter the nature. Keep your mind active. Practice creative activities such as photography, painting, crafting, etc. These develop our creative “muscle,” which gets stronger as we use it more. Laura Murillo, SweetRush 11 www.eLearningGuild.com