Yesterday I celebrated the culmination of The 100 Day Project! This consists of choosing a project to do every day for 100 consecutive days. You share your process on Instagram with the hashtag #The100DayProject. This year, it started from April 7 through July 15.
It’s weird because for the longest time I have run away from challenges that requires to do a daily task for a certain amount of time. Even for a week! So, here I share why I did it, how I keep consistency and what I learned.
Why did I did it?
I think that definitely a big factor that pushed me to do it was the lockdown in my home country due to Covid-19. It wasn’t that I had more “free time”. It was the fact that I didn’t have to go out of my house to any commitment. I felt because that was out of the picture, it would be easier to make the time every day.
Another reason I did it was to increase my surface design catalogue and define a style I would like to pursue. I do know I love minimalism and geometrics. But this project showed me that I do love to use bright colors. I thought I was more of a muted kind of designer.
How did I keep consistency?
I have learned that creativity shows up once you show up. Some days are greatest than others, but still. The hardest part of this project is to keep consistency.
I got two words for you: support group. I learned about this project through a peer group I am part of from a Surface Pattern Design membership. I just joined them. Let me tell you, I am a very committed person. But there were so many days, at 9:00 p.m. when I would just think “well, maybe today is my last day. No one will care…”. But then I knew some people will notice. Not that they will judge me for not posting; but instead I knew they would cheer me up if I posted. Your support group doesn’t have to be people doing the project. It could be a friend or a family member that you share what you are doing with.
What did I learn?
1. To better define my style: To create a big amount of work helps you to see in a macro vision what things “are so you”, a.k.a., your design style.
2. To be okay with pivoting: I did start with a design plan. But to plan is not the same as to do. Even when this project may feel as an added work load, it still meant to be work you enjoy. Pivot, pivot, pivot! It is interesting to let yourself create what it feels to create. You learn a lot about your style and way of working.
3. Take it day by day: Don’t let it overwhelmed you. Some days you will love what you create. Others…not that much. That’s okay. At the end you will end up with some designs you will absolutely love. And if it wasn’t for this project they would have never come to exist. The point is just to create!
You can see my process throughout this journey in my Instagram account: @naydacruzstudio
See you there!
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