CreativeUnblock

CHALLENGE

For my Bachelor thesis, I researched the phenomenon of creative blocks, which turned out to be common among creative professionals, especially those who are just starting their careers. General advice from podcasts, articles, self-help books, and blogs often doesn’t help, and young graphic designers may still feel the frustration associated with the block. Addressing this unmet need, I came up with a solution — a card deck called ‘CreativeUnblock’ that aims to fill the gap by providing a deep understanding of creative block, its causes, and types based on the research. The challenge was not only to create a product for an existing problem in the market but also to design a brand identity and produce it.

SOLUTION

When feeling blocked, creatives usually describe it as “being in a box.” Inspired by the unblocking aim of the card deck, the visual identity revolves around high-contrast typography. The central element of the branding is the bold logo with an extended “n” and a type of block placed “in the box”. Overcoming a block is a process that is highlighted through the utilization of varying font weights and stacked typography. The card design offers young designers the opportunity to get “outside of the box” with actions for each type of block. Considering the frustrating feelings associated with the phenomenon, bright colors are there to inspire blocked designers, and the brand personality embodies a caring and supportive friend who provides a motivating tone of writing.