The Power of Creative Limitations

Author

Gabe Lopez
March 15, 2024

Hi Brave People,

The truth is, that people are creative in different ways. There is no one-size-fits-all all for how we tap into our creativity.

We assume that unrestricted freedom to create is the highest form of creative capacity that we can have. But what if that wasn’t true? What if certain creative restrictions (or rules) made us more creative?

Benefits of Creative Limitations

Numerous masterpieces throughout history have been born out of limitations, from literature created within strict word counts to visual art constrained by limited color palettes.

Creative limitations force individuals to navigate uncharted territories, fostering unconventional thinking and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The Psychology of Limitation: How Constraints Make Us More Creative

If you've ever stared at a blank page, you know the importance of creative constraints. Learn how to harness limitations for more and better ideas.

buffer.com/resources/7-examples-of-how-creative-constraints-can-lead-to-amazing-work

A Few Examples

A great example of creative limitations or strict rules is the looking at the one and only, Dr. Seuss. Did you know The Cat in the Hat was written with only 250 different words? Or better yet, Green Eggs and Ham was written with only 50. This was a bet that had been placed between him and the founder of Random House.

Another example includes how musician and songwriter, Billie Eilish, created one of her more recent tracks, What Was I Made For? specifically for the Barbie film. In the video below, she speaks about how being placed in a certain set of restrictions for the movie allowed her to create something beautiful.

This is to say — that if you are feeling a bit stuck in a creative rut, or maybe you haven’t experienced your creative flow state ever — be sure to try different ways of approaching your work.

There is no right or wrong way. There is only your way!

We hope this shines a fresh perspective on creativity. If you want to follow along with more design + career content, be sure to follow us on TikTok and Instagram!