- What am I Literally Making?
Your thoughts and motivations for creating a work of art can be complicated, but when you focus on the concrete details of its execution, you take one step closer to your goal. If you want to release music, planning out the dimensions, studio, band members, music, rehearsals, distribution, promotion etc is the way to go.
- Has This Been Done Before?
It’s okay if the answer to this initial question is, “Yes, this has been done before.” From there, the question can become…
- How Will I Do This in a Way That Hasn’t Been Done Yet?
If the concept or theme has been done before, fine, whatever. But as long as the realized project is art that no one else in the world but me could’ve made, I’ll consider it a success.
- Will I Actually Enjoy Doing This?
Potential clients will look to work you’ve done in the past to see if you’re the right fit for the job. If you’ve invested your hard work into projects you loved, you’re more likely to get commissioned for similar projects.
- What Do I Want to Say?
Once you’ve decided to go forward with a project, contemplate what you want it to convey. Your “statement” can be simple or complex, and it can change over time. Your work should always have some kind of purpose, or it should evoke emotions in another human being. This question is probably the most difficult, so try not to put too much pressure on answering it all at once. I think that this takes years, even decades, to master.
- Why Does This Matter to Me?
This question goes hand-in-hand with the last one, but it’s slightly different. If you’ve already determined your message or statement, it’s time to dig deeper and think about why it’s also meaningful to you personally.
- Am I Challenging Myself?
Creative revelations are often the result of pushing yourself to try something different. These challenges can be big or small.
- Am I Overthinking This?
Asking yourself questions is an invaluable part of the artistic process, but so is knowing when to let them go. You don’t have to have all the answers and that’s okay.