Making Friday: Blank faces
- Don’t find the time, make the time
Some time in 2007, I had to get some horrible dental work done, and despite my insane workload, I managed to take off two solid mornings to sit in the dentist’s chair. I was shocked that I was able to find time to do something I really, really didn’t want to do, while always complaining about never having any creative time in the studio due to my very demanding To Do List. Studio time is better than root canal. If I could find time for the dentist, I can find time for my creative work.
2. Put it in your schedule
Finding the time will always be tricky, so make an appointment with yourself in your studio that you consider important enough to keep. Fridays work for me.
Unless you keep the creative side of the business going, you’re going to run our of juice, you’ll resent your work, and the whole endeavour will become a burden.
3. Be unproductive
Don’t use Making Friday for doing things you’re supposed to do. Reserve the time for off-the-menu stuff that doesn’t pose questions like “How can I sell this / display it / replicate it / package it?”, cos while those questions are useful when thinking about your biz, they shut down the open-endedness needed for creative exploration.
Don’t let what your business needs restrict what your creativity.
4. It can be on any day of the week
Of course, it doesn’t have to be a Friday, but although I’ve tried various things, I find a rigid schedule works best for me and my team, so we’re back to Fridays now.
That’s it! Just make stuff, like I did with my funny crowd of faces. They might end up in a drawer, eaten by fishmoths, but they keep me believing in my abilities, and loving what I do.