As with most designers, there’s always that self-inflicted pressure to create that “next best thing.” Throughout college, that pressure came in many forms. Whether it was that little voice inside my head to always “do more” with a project, or a professor pushing me to “take that idea further,” that pressure was always there. To put it simply, designs without meaning were not an option.
And although I’ve moved on from studio critiques & sleepless nights glued to my laptop, that pressure will always be there. The healthy type of pressure that motivates me to exhaust all options before settling on a final idea or concept. But aside from all that, I also think it’s important to sometimes take a step back and allow yourself to do meaningless projects. Projects done just for fun that don’t come with that pressure of pleasing a professor or client. Projects where you can throw some colorful stripes onto a piece of paper and nobody is going to question your decision.
I whipped up these free note card printables the other day when I found myself to be overwhelmed by the daily grind of life. I sat on my floor and did the most simplistic, least brain-powered design I could think of. Stripes.
In the back of my head I could hear my old college professors asking me, “What does this design achieve?” and telling me to “Take this idea further.” But although those voices will probably be forever embedded in my head, I decided to turn them off and just create something because it. was. fun. Something I definitely do not do enough of.
Whether you’re a designer or not, the idea of doing something “just for the heck of it” is something I, myself, am working on. Not doing something because it’s what you think you have to do (or what someone else is telling you to do), but doing it because it makes your little ol’ heart content. And to me, that’s a good enough reason.
Stop by later this week for another result of my theurepeutic design sesh. The BFF of my meaningless notecards…the matching meaningless recipe cards (shown above).
Anni Potash says
I adore these cards! There are so often times I need a pretty blank card & these are perfect! Thanks so much!
Melissa says
Thanks Anni! Enjoy!!
Tanya says
Melissa, thank you very much. Your design is pretty cool))
Chelsea Evers says
Love these! Totally using them for thank yous :)
Niki says
Thank you so much for the printables! I absolutely love these!
Alissa says
You know what would make these even better? Gold, pink and polka dots. ;)
Melissa says
Haha! That gives me an idea – I will make matching ones with a few of your blog design’s elements. Just you wait :)
Jenny says
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the simplest designs are the best. Especially stripes. I love these! If I had ink and paper, I’d print them now. :)