Getting Through This Together: List of Resources to Motivate and Inspire

Given the current global public health situation relating to the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, a lot of people, including our six global campuses, have had to take the decision to move to working from home and there are many other designers and creatives around the world having to do the same or are self-isolating or on lockdown.

Even though Shillington is split across six different cities in three different countries across both hemispheres, we are in this together as a community and want to extend an olive branch to all our students, Shillumni and the rest of the industry—it’s more important than ever that the global design community come together.

In this completely unprecedented situation, we’ve looked back over the last few years of content on our blog and pulled some articles that we hope will help those that are self-isolating, quarantined or newly working from home. If there’s one thing that creatives are amazing at then that is creating—we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you all create during this tumultuous period.

Work-Related Resources

This first list of blog posts is resources that we believe will help those who might be working from home for the first time or a struggling to find their creative spark unparalleled times.

1. 11 Time Management Apps

Back in 2018, we put together this list of time management apps to help creatives stay organised—hopefully it becomes even more helpful in the move to working from home and from when there’s a lot of the news cycle to distract you. This, of course, aren’t just for creatives so this list is relevant to anyone.

2. Social Media Tips and Advice

Even though it might seem like Twitter is best avoided right now, we’ve seen some inspiring solidarity in the creative industries on there over the past few days and weeks. This guide on our blog advises you how to best utilise the different social media options, as you could use this time to get your profiles looking organised and slick.

3. 6 Projects to Help You Break Out of a Creative Rut

This recent article from Shillington London teacher and founder of Twenty Assembly, Hilary Archer, outlines several different ways to get yourself out of a creative rut—which may become an essential resource in the current climate. Think of this as an opportunity to work on that passionate project you’ve always wanted to take on!

4. 16 Creative Things to Do When You’re Bored at Work

This list covers 16 fun and creative things that you can do when you start to lose momentum at work—from meditation to learning to dance. Full disclosure, some of the ideas on this list are not suitable for those self-isolating or on lockdown.

5. 50 Essential Free Resources

Unfortunately these uncertain times may mean you need to tighten the purse strings. This list of essential free resources for graphic designers (and other creatives) might be helpful in cutting costs, whether you are freelancing or working for a studio. There’s everything from free stock photography to free tools for designing with.

In addition to these free resources, Adobe has also temporarily waved all Creative Cloud fees. If you head to your account on their website and follow the steps, it should prompt you to stay with 60 days free access.

6. Mental Health Tips

This is a strange and unfamiliar situation for everyone, so there’s a chance that it may have an adverse effect on your mental health. This article breaks down five ways to help alleviate and cope with anxiety and other work-related mental health issues. Please be aware that this is only advice and we are not mental health professionals. If you need further help or immediate assistance, please contact the appropriate helplines in your country:

• UK mental health helplines
• Australian mental health helplines
• Mental Health America helplines

Inspirational Resources

The second part of this article is full of lists that we hope will inspire your creativity and help to fill those moments of boredom when you’re not able to leave your home.

1. 50 Essential Books

One of our own personal favourite blog posts, this is a list of fifty books that we think every graphic designer should have on their bookshelves. Whether its design history or design from Japan you’re after, there is sure to be loads of books on this list that will help you pass the time. If you can, pick them up from a local, independent bookshop—as they’re going to need as much help as possible.

2. 25 Inspiring TED Talks

This list from last year of 25 amazing TED Talks from female creatives is a great way to switch off from work and have your views changed. With speakers including British design critic Alice Rawsthorn, Jane Fonda and the legendary Paula Scher, they’re sure to have you feeling full of inspiration and ready to create something amazing.

3. 40 Best Creative Podcasts

Our list of the 40 best creative podcasts was written with a commute in mind, but this doesn’t make them any less fantastic to listen to at home. With podcasts from the sharpest minds in the biz, there’s genuinely hours of content to listen to. After some comic relief? Listen to Drunk on Lettering, which does exactly what it says on the tin.

4. 22 Online Stationery Shops

One of our absolute favourite things to do is browse and shop for stationery. If your current economic situations allows, why not get some pens, notebooks and other bits delivered direct to your door from one of these excellent online stationery shops? They’re all independent businesses so you’ll be doing your bit to help them out and frankly you can never have too many pencils.

5. 90 Instagram Accounts to Follow for Daily Design Inspiration

When it comes to getting a daily dose of inspiration for your graphic design projects, nothing beats the visual delights of Instagram. From global agencies and intimate studios to the most unusual and unexpected sources—the photo-sharing network has plenty to keep us motivated.

6. 85 of the Best Instagram Accounts for Typography Lovers

You simply can’t get enough of the art and technique of arranging type. Making written language legible and appealing gets you super excited. Typefaces, point sizes, line-spacing, line lengths, letter-spacing and kerning—you want it all, constantly. If typography floats your boat, then prepare yourself for the ultimate list of recommended Instagram accounts to follow.

7. 10 Inspiring Quotes from Extraordinary Routines

Curious about the way other creatives spend their days, their morning routines and working with clients? Extraordinary Routines by Madeleine Dore is a window into a creative’s world, where each entry takes the form of a personal diary—denoting the ins and outs of their daily schedule. In this list we highlighted our top ten favourite quotes from a selection of creatives, make sure to check out their full features over on Extraordinary Routines.

Other Opportunities

This final section is an ongoing list of opportunities, virtual events and challenges that we have seen happening in the industry:

• Head of Shillington UK Andy Judd set a Creative Challenge to design a typeface using things you find around the home.
• LiveTalkFrom have organised a series of live talks on Instagram from some amazing designers and creatives, including Hey Studio’s Verònica Fuerte, Anthony Burrill and Shillington graduate Joseph Lebus.
• Lauren Hom, aka Hom Sweet Hom, has shared some #StayAtHome Passion Project Resources on her website—they’re usually password protected so snap them up while you can.
• Check out Lorena Roma’s list of Best Healthy Habits To Practice at Home to keep your body and your mind happy when you’re stuck at home.

We’ll continue to update this article with anything that might be relevant to creatives and the design community so watch this space. If you have any recommendations for additional resources to add and ideas, email us here, we would love to hear from you!

Keep your heads up and keep creating—we’ll get through this together.

Photo credit: Matthew Henry from Burst