Well, when I'm trying to improve my writing, I read a lot and analyze what I read, especially the works I admire. Try studying a wide range of what other people have done in your media, and seeing what you like and dislike and how you think what they did could be improved. See what's new, and check out some older ones as well.

It's hard, but you should try to think outside the box when designing. I have designed posters, newsletters and brochures and the best ones were the ones that provided good info and were eye catching. Good luck!

dont play it safe...people usually go for things that look cute and pretty...NO. think weird, unorganized, and stuff like that because that is what is attracting people now, things they have never seen because designers are too afraid to do. Let me know if i helped and what you came up with.

nail down your basic concept or idea and then try coming at it from different angles .... for example .... let's say your basic idea is to design a poster for the happy kittens foundation .... come up with ideas that are the opposite of that, angry elderly dogs, depressed snakes .... how would you illustrate these other things .... OR .... pick a person that you know or admire .... how would they design the happy kittens poster? .... how would happy kittens design their own poster? .... write down and/or sketch a whole bunch of ideas from other angles before coming back to the basic idea and then see if it gets more interesting or creative

Listen to music & relax, or take a walk with a camera and snap away.

Talent is the ability to adjust. What can you reveal about your subject matter by putting it in a unique association with another subject matter? It's not a new way to think but it works. Some ad people use this creative spring board to realize ideas like putting the name of a product on a T-shirt then putting the T-shirt on a model with large breasts, then spraying water on the T-shirt. Some take the product name (e.g. Geico) and mascot it (with a Geko). Your own unique way of free associating and playing with concepts will dictate both form and substance of YOUR creations.

1) Follow nature. They are supposed to have intelligent design. ;-) I am just kidding, I don't believe in intelligent design. But to imitate nature could still be a good idea... 2) "Unfortunately for you, I don't believe that developing creativity is something that can be rushed. But perusing design galleries such as Unmatched Style and CSSElite wouldn't hurt." "I think training is probably needed here. The basics have to be learnt before you are able to be "creative" in the true sense of the word." "Trends are objective in design. Using trends as a mainstay of design continuity is not wise as they change almost annually. You really have to gauge their relevancy on the kind of users you have coming to your website. Otherwise you just end up becoming what I harshly refer to as a "trend whore". However, trends do have their place. As far as creativity is concerned, I always like to do little personal design practice sessions where I reproduce an existing layout completely from scratch. It really helps measure my skill level and also where my differences lie if I were trying to design the same elements. Then you can ask questions like, "How would I do this or that in the same situation?", "Do I agree with the decision this designer made, if not how would I do things differently?". Good artists copy, great artists steal! Good words to live by." Source and further information: http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468787 Further information: - "How to Develop Creativity": http://inspire.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/how-to-develop-creativity/ - "How to Develop Creativity": http://www.bukisa.com/articles/19414_how-to-develop-creativity - "How to Develop Creativity Articles": http://www.articlesbase.com/article-tags/how-to-develop-creativity