This one is actually a series of tips surrounding one theme:
How to deal with mid-project burnout.
With any long project, you’re most likely going to face a burnout at some point. Usually directly after a stretch of really good inspiration, the motivation just tanks, leaving no desire to work on studio. This first cropped up for me last semester, with a 10-week-long project, and again this semester in the exact same situation. I’m starting to figure out how to maneuver it a bit better, so I thought I’d share what works for me:
1.Set studio aside for a week.
Yes, a whole week. Now not everyone will have this luxury. Projects can move at a very fast pace, leaving no time to slow down. However, if you can afford it, take a break from your project. It’s likely that you’ve just spent so much time staring at your plans, sections, etc., that you’ve grown tired of them. Stepping away, for however long, can help to come back with a fresh perspective, and in the meantime gives your brain a well-needed rest.
1.5. Get ahead when you can.
This one is kind of a precursor to #1. If you get ahead on your project - whether that means ahead on drawings, or on the design itself - you’re more likely to be able to take that break when needed, while everyone else is scrambling to catch up.
2. Take care of business for other classes.
Taking a break from studio means it’s the perfect time to get ahead on other classes. Have a paper due during Hell Week? Or a group project? Or a- (seriously why do they have to make everything due during Hell Week?) Get a jump start on it now. Knocking out big things now means you don’t have to scramble to get them done when you need to be finishing up on studio later.
3. Get organized
If you’re like me and crazy enough to take a whole week break from your project, you need to come back with a plan of action for how you’re going to tackle the rest. If you have a planner, take an hour or so to sit down and look at deadlines for the next week/month/however long until the semester is over. Jot down deadlines, and make a plan for when you’re going to get things done. Don’t forget to consider commitments outside of school that will take up any of your time.
4. Precedent studies!
Part of my reason for not wanting to even think about my project is because of some suggestions I got at my last crit about my windows/carrying a quality in the plans over to the section/elevation. For one, I’m not sure how to approach addressing that concern, and even if I did, I’m not sure if I want to take that advice. It’s been somewhat helpful to take a look at other projects that have those sorts of qualities that were suggested to me. While I don’t think I’m going to go the way my teacher was suggesting, I do plan on making a few minor changes to the windows to help them feel more like they belong.
Looking at other projects similar to yours can help you to process the info thrown at you during a crit. It may make you finally understand what was suggested, or it may help you to realize that while there may be merit to what they said, it just doesn’t fit what you were going for with your design. And that is okay.
Let me say it again: It is okay if you don’t take your professor’s advice. It is okay if you tear it to shreds, burn it, and toss the ashes into the ocean, never to be heard of again. Your professor might have more experience, but no one quite knows your project the way you do. If you can back it up, then do it.
5. Have other students critique your work.
I know I’ve said this before, but it’s honestly so extremely helpful. Have them critique it outside of an actual critique setting. Ask students who know the project, but also those who don’t. Let them take a look and give you preliminary feedback before you go into your little spiel about your choices. Things they notice before you even say anything are probably things you need to address and clarify in some way.
6. Take a little time to sift through critiques.
When you’re ready to head back into the fray, take a day to sift through critiques, do a few quick sketches, do some more studies if needed, and re-introduce yourself to the project. If you haven’t already, make your 3D model, hit save-as, and start manipulating what you already have. If you work better by hand, make a really quick sketch model that you won’t care about if you mess it up. Make five of them, and start cutting into them, and keep the hot glue close by in case you need it.
7. Don’t beat yourself up
We all face slumps, we all face lack of motivation, of inspiration, and forcing yourself through it can seem impossible. Take it one step at a time, take care of tasks that you can, and take care of yourself above all else.
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