The Power of Small Progress in Art and Design

small progress illustration

Have you ever looked at someone’s finished art and thought: “This looks awesome! I want to do that too!” You dive in and give it your all, only to find that your attempt is not as good as theirs and that it may take years to reach their level. At this point, you might consider giving up or going back to your comfort zone. But what if I told you that there’s another way? That you could reach their level by improving just a little bit at a time? Small progress of let’s say 1% at a time.

Sure, you might object that it will take years. But consider this: the years will pass anyway! The real question is whether or not you’ll get better every day as the years go by. The trick is to keep trying to get better. How do you do that? By aiming for just 1% improvement at a time.

Small Progress Until You Reach 100%

Start by identifying your weak areas and the things you want to focus on. What do you want to get better at? Here’s a personal example: I wanted to improve my ability to draw backgrounds. What was I doing? Whenever I drew a character, I spent extra time researching and studying what makes a good background. Then I applied that knowledge to my drawings. Was it a perfect background? No, of course not. But it was 1% better than the last one. And the next time I focused on backgrounds, it was 2% better. Then 3%, 4%, 5%, until I was 100% better than before.

Improvement Becomes Inevitable

The key is to keep doing your creative work and keep aiming for that 1% improvement. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to look good. But every time you try, you’ll learn far more than you would by simply repeating what you’ve always done. Improvement becomes inevitable. There is no need for specific goals or rigid habits. Just keep doing what you are doing and ask yourself: “How can I get 1% better?”

I can promise you this: as the years go by, you will reach a moment where you realize, “Wow, I’m actually good at this”. And someone will look at your art and say: “This looks awesome! I want to do that too!” So take this mindset and try it!

Still not convinced? Here’s a small list of the pros of the 1% improvement mindset:

Pros of Getting 1% Better

  1. Continuous improvement adds up over time, leading to significant progress in the long run. James Clear has a nice image that visualizes this!
  2. Focusing on small growth reduces the pressure to achieve perfection right away, making the journey more enjoyable and less stressful.
  3. Celebrating small victories builds confidence and motivates further progress, creating a positive feedback loop.
  4. Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities fosters a growth mindset and accelerates skill development.
  5. Small improvements allow for flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances or feedback, leading to greater resilience.


Suggest a Topic

suggest a topic

When I sit down to plan upcoming posts for my blog, I find that some of the most insightful ideas often come not from me, but from the experiences and interests of you, the reader. That’s why I’m excited to introduce a new way for us to work together: a topic suggestion form.

Your unique perspectives, questions, and interests play a critical role in shaping the content I create. Whether you’re struggling with a specific challenge or simply curious about a particular topic, your input is invaluable to me.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts using the form below. It’s an easy way to suggest topics you’d like to see covered on the blog. Additionally, feel free to contact me via email or my contact form if you prefer a more direct approach.

Suggestion Form

Your input will not only allow me to tailor the posts to your needs better but will also foster a sense of community where we can learn and grow together!

Thank you for being a part of this blog and for your continued support and readership!

Updated Creative Work Problems Posts

Creative Work Problems failure
One of my Creative Work Problems Comics.

I have updated all of my Creative Work Problems Comics Posts on this blog!

I uploaded them for a while to Instagram and my blog as solo posts. When I did them, I mostly just posted the comic itself, and rarely some more information about it. Well, now I’ve updated them all and added additional help and knowledge for almost every topic. I’ve also updated the name of the post so that it’s no longer named after the comic. Each topic is now more easily identifiable by the title of the post. You can now search the hell out of this site if you are looking for a topic you need help with.

I have listed below every post I have made with these comics in it. So if you’re interested in more information about a topic you see at the bottom of the list, don’t hesitate to go there.

  • A Method for Better Ideas

    One way to get better ideas is to do a lot of different versions of your idea. With my mnemonic S.O. T.A.M.E. you will get a method to change up…

  • Afraid of Change

    Sometimes you are working on something till there comes this point where you can’t move on because you are afraid to destroy your current process. One way to tackle this…

  • Automatic Drawing

    With this method, you can start your creative work with ease. You can begin with no motivation at all, there is almost no resistance you encounter when you start working…

  • Be Aware of Problems

    Becoming aware of things is difficult. It is even more difficult to recognize your own problems. But this is often the case in creative work. Problematic things are taken for…

  • Break up Tasks

    Sometimes you procrastinate because a big task looks intimidating. If this happens break the task up. Do everything one by one and you will be less scared of the task!…

  • Change Your Mindset

    You may think that you are who you are. That you can’t change and will be like this forever. This is not true! You can change and will if you…

  • Creativity in Lockdown

    Sometimes we are in a creative lockdown. Maybe because we are in a real lockdown or because we experience a creative block. Then it is time to take a break…

  • Cycle of Fear

    Do you think you are not doing enough? Do you feel behind and everyone is more productive than you? This week’s topic of the Creative Work Problems comic series covers…

  • Destroy Your Work!

    Destroy your work! Yes, you heard it right. This is a way to get more confident about your creative work. The more you do this, the more you will be…

  • Dissatisfaction and Art

    This week’s topic of the Creative Work Problems comic series is the difference between Leonardo Da Vinci and you. You probably think that he was the best of all time…

  • Do Not Listen!

    You hear stuff everywhere that you have to do this or that. Criticism of your work or just how you should be creative. Maybe you are not productive enough and…

  • Do One Thing

    A big project or something else really big can be overwhelming sometimes. There are so many things to do that the whole project looks like a really big dangerous wave.…

Creative Work Problems old projects
One of the last comics I did of this series.

Note-Taking for Artists and Designers

I’m a note-taking addict. A few years ago, my notebooks were filled with notes for myself and my work as an illustrator and comic artist. Note-taking is something we all do, but often not in the right way. We write down our thoughts and ideas, but sometimes we don’t look at them again. A few years ago, when I was filling these notebooks, I would sometimes skim through my notes, but I often didn’t find what I wanted or found things I could have used earlier. So I’ve changed the way I use and work with my notes. Now I can actually use all my notes and they give me new insights and ideas for my creative work almost every day.

In this blog post, I’m going to talk about how you, as an artist or designer, can use your notes effectively to help you in your creative work. How not to forget your notes, how to use them effectively, and how you can increase your creativity and productivity just by using notes.

The Perfect Way to Capture and Use Notes

Plot twist: There is no perfect way to capture and use notes. But you should try different methods to see what works for you. So if you have been taking notes the same way forever, try to experiment and find a better way to take and use notes. I recommend doing everything digitally. There’s the “Zettelkasten”-method, but you need a lot of drawers to use them effectively. Who has room for that? Our space these days is digital! So do it digitally! Of course, you can write your notes on paper, but I recommend that you transfer them to something digital later to be able to use them effectively. I’ll show you how I capture and work with my notes later in this article.

Note-Taking Apps

There are a lot of note-taking apps out there. Choosing which one to use is up to you. Watch some videos about them, try them out, and then choose the one you like best. Everyone is different and likes different things.

I’ve tried a few and I like using Obsidian. I also use Notion, but not for note-taking. What I like about Obsidian is that it keeps all the notes it generates as an isolated file on my laptop. That way, if Obsidian ever disappears, I’ll still have all my notes and I can just import them and use them in another program. Here’s a short list of note-taking apps:

Create an Effective System

So you have your app and your old notes ready to work with. Now what? Well, before we start, we need a system for taking and organizing notes. This system can help you find and use your notes more efficiently. Here are some things you could do, but don’t have to.

Use a consistent format

Use a consistent format when taking notes or they will quickly become a mess. Examples include having a header and footer. In some apps, you can use a template so that all your notes have the same format. Things in your header and footer can be Tags, note types, aliases, authors, sources, “see also”, etc.

Use tags or keywords

Assign relevant tags or keywords to your notes. This can be particularly useful for searching and grouping related notes. I use tags as a separate file. So a tag like “drawing” is a separate note that takes me to drawing stuff and even more notes related to it.

Index and number your notes

For comprehensive notes, create an index and a numbering system. This will help you navigate through your files and speed up your workflow in your note-taking system. I use a variation of “Johnny Decimal” for numbering: Check it out!

Review your note-taking system

Every now and then it is good to review your system. How can it be improved? What is missing? For example, I had a lot of trouble with the indexes in my note-taking system. So I changed them to the numbering system mentioned above. Now it’s much easier to find things when I’m not using the search function.

Backup!

Always have a backup of your notes! Even if it is “in the cloud”. Apps and servers can die, you know.

What to Do With Your Notes

There are lots of things you can do with your notes, and a lot more stuff out there on this subject. If you want to know more: Search and you will find it. It’s too much for a single post. Anyway, here are some things you can (and shouldn’t) use your notes for:

1. Remember forgotten thoughts and ideas

Go back through your old notes to find ideas you have forgotten. Sometimes a quick note from months or years ago can give you a great idea for your next creative project.

2. Use your note-taking system as a second brain

Your notes are a second brain where you can store helpful information related to your work in art and design. This can come in handy when you need help with something technical or want to improve your skills. When I am making a story, I like to look at all the notes I have on storytelling. So I go into my app and search for “story” or go to the “storytelling” tag. A bunch of notes come up and I pick the ones I like and read them. Then I use those notes to create my story. The same goes for any other skill I need to use. You don’t have to use it every time, but sometimes it’s good to see what else there is to the thing you’re making.

3. Boost your creativity: Find new insights

By taking detailed notes, you may discover new connections between old ideas and thoughts. Your connected notes work like your brain. An idea is usually a mixture of two thoughts. By tagging and connecting your notes, you may discover new insights and create new ideas. Reviewing your notes regularly may uncover interesting connections between ideas that seemed unrelated. So when taking notes, try to find tags and connections as you write them down.

4. Try to use atomic notes

An atomic note is a single piece of information. This makes it easier to organize and connect your notes in a meaningful way, creating a network of interconnected ideas. Atomic notes can be linked together to form a knowledge structure that helps you think, learn, and create more effectively. You don’t have to use these types of notes all the time, but they’re really powerful for creating new insights.

5. Use evergreen notes

Everygreen notes are pretty much the opposite of atomic notes. These notes are designed to be permanent and timeless, containing information or insights that remain relevant and valuable over a long period of time. I use them for information and thoughts that I use on a regular basis. For example: I have an evergreen note for every project I’m currently working on. It contains everything I need to know and remember about the project.

6. Plan your projects

Your notes can help you better plan and track your creative projects. For each project, I use different notes for research, goals, timelines, and other things. I make connections to existing notes and use those connections to generate new ideas. In Obsidian, with their canvas feature, you can have a visual guide and overview of your entire project.

7. Use visuals in your note-taking system

Try adding drawings, mood boards, or pictures to your notes. They can help you visualize the mood, themes and look of your creative work. Combining them with your old notes from years ago can help you come up with even better creative ideas and designs. Here also with the Obsidian canvas feature, you can visualize your written notes in conjunction with your visual notes. Perfect for us artists and designers.

8. Delete useless notes

If you are not sure if you can use a note that you really like, keep it. It might help you in the future. But as soon as you realize it doesn’t fit anywhere, delete it. It will only clutter your files and your mind. Only make and keep notes on things you might need and can use in the future.

9. Do not use your note-taking system to “work”

Note-taking can be addictive. It is so satisfying to organize and work with your notes. But don’t use it to procrastinate or “work”. Set up your system and use it when you need it. Don’t work all day to find better ideas and connect thoughts. It will feel like work, but it’s not. If you use your notes when you really need them, it will help you in your creative work and can improve your creativity and workflow.

How I Use My Notes

How I use my notes could be a whole new post in this blog. If you are interested, send me an email. Here’s the short version:

I usually write thoughts and ideas on sticky notes and scraps of paper throughout the week and then enter them into Obsidian at the start of each week. I work with a pseudo “Zettelkasten”. Yes, you can use the above ‘Zettelkasten’ method in a digital environment. But I only use the parts of the system that I like. You could actually write whole books just from atomic notes using this system. So check it out if this is something you want to do.

For each note, I tag it as a fleeting, literature, or permanent note. I will add a todo to these tags to remember what I need to work on. A finished permanent note should be an atomic note in my system. I link these notes with other notes to create new insights. Evergreen notes are used when I need something regularly. These contain lots of links to other notes.

All my notes are in one folder. Yes, just one folder. But I have indexes or maps of content that act as tags and “simulate” a folder. Why this? So I can use a note in different folders without moving or copying it. It also helps with connecting thoughts and ideas. And I really like that!

note-taking system in Obsidian
My Note-Taking System in Obsidian

Conclusion

Your notes aren’t just old records; they’re like active sources of inspiration, knowledge and ideas. By regularly reviewing and using your notes, you can get the most out of them. Think of your notes as powerful tools for your creative journey. This will help your creativity grow and your skills improve.

If you would like to hear me talk more about this, drop me an email.

📩 Free Composition Guide 📩

Join my quirky newsletter for my free Composition Compendium, jolly updates, and other helpful stuff! Every three months (or so)!

The Composition Compendium

Composition is like the magic ingredient that makes creative work truly shine. It’s what makes your creations really stand out from the crowd, so people remember you. And now there is help! I have created a Composition Compendium with useful tips and all the design principles I have been able to gather over the years. I’m thrilled to give it to you, absolutely free!

grafik edited
The Composition Compendium
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13 principles with numerous sections in a collapsible form
grafik 2 edited
58 images for easy understanding

What is the Composition Compendium?

The Compendium is the digital version of my old composition cheat sheet that I used for years. It’s a handy guide that’s even better than my old cheat sheet! This compendium contains a whole world of composition and design tips, complete with explanations for each idea, 58 helpful images, and links to additional resources.

What Will You Find Inside?

  • Learn how to use composition in your creative projects with simple, straightforward tips.
  • Explore the essential parts of composition: Focal Element, Structure, and Balance.
  • Take a closer look at each principle of design, including color, contrast, pattern, and more.
  • A visual guidance to each principle for easier understanding.
  • The Compendium is designed to be easy to use. Distraction-free and clean.
Composition Compendium Overview

How to Get Your Free Compendium

Just sign up for my newsletter below, and you’ll receive an email with a direct link to the Notion page – no strings attached!

Don’t worry – I respect your inbox and your privacy. You won’t get any spam, and I won’t share your information with anyone. I only send out a few newsletters a year, filled with helpful resources and updates on my latest content. It’s all about helping you become a better artist.

Don’t miss your chance to enhance your creative process with the Composition Compendium. Sign up today and receive the Compendium immediately!

An Ever-Changing Composition Guide – Forever.

The Compendium is here to stay! I will make it even better and change it over time for better usage. But I need your help! So please, give me feedback and send me helpful links that I can include in the Compendium. It is only with your help that I will be able to make this thing even more special.