I have a process for tackling a new strategy that I’ve developed over the years that works well for me. It begins with a mind map – today’s version of a freeform sketch. This gets all the ideas out there before the left brain can step in the way and try to ‘over think’ everything. Who cares what sequence everything is in when you want free flow of ideas to spring forth undaunted. After all that, I put the resulting ideas into a traditional outline which makes the left brain happy once more. From there I can then compose my plan of action in Powerpoint (uggh), Visio or whatever.
For simple projects like an advertisement or artwork, I always turn to the old number 2 pencil and piece of vellum. Nothing beats it. From there it’s on to Photoshop to flesh it out a bit more. The final step is whatever tool you like or find appropriate.
What do other creative types do? I am always curious about that one.
