Creativity comes in many forms. From photography to watercolour painting and sculpture to stop motion films, the range is very wide. Even within art journaling, scrapbooking and those who keep planners, there are numerous preferences and outlets. And then there is the size of format that varies from one artist to the next. Some prefer to go big and some prefer to go small.
Did you know that the brain is stimulated by novelty? Something new or out of the ordinary or unexpected actually fires the neurons in our brain! If you have ever experienced ‘creativity block’ then you know how hard it is to come up with ideas or inspiration in those moments (or days. or months), but all the brain needs is a kickstart and that can be achieved by novelty or moving outside of your comfort zone. The writer who stares at a blank page could watch and listen to the birds to be flooded once again with language. The sculptor can try playing with paint, the collage artist can try stepping out to take a few photographs… in each case, the brain will suddenly awaken instead of tuning out the ritualistic motions of working in one’s preferred medium.
TN book covers from vintage books
Many scrapbookers, art journalists or planner addicts have a preferred size of book in which they consistently work. Right now, the trend for scrapbookers is the traditional Traveler’s Notebook size (8.25in x 4.25in) and many planners or bullet journalers are using an A5 or 8x6in or larger notebook. But it all depends on the artist.
Herein lays the challenge. As a scrapbooker, art journalist or planner addict, have you tried working in a different sized book? In doing so, you may uncover new inspiration, new talent and at the very least, a new challenge. Perhaps I can give you some insight…
Repurposed Book and insert from rePaperedShop
Reasons To Go Big
you are used to the Traveler’s Notebook size
you like to write a lot
you want to add extra lettering, photos, ephemera
you are documenting a longer time frame
Reasons To Go Small
you can still do scrapbooking or journaling or planning!
you like bullet points - keep it simple
you want to carry it in your purse
you want cuteness!
you are documenting a shorter time frame
Two sizes of book covers and inserts are available at rePaperedShop
Regardless of size, there remain similarities in both big and small sizes:
you need a system of productivity or documentation
you need a catch all for important stuff
you are a die hard for analog
you are a creative
So, will you take up my challenge and try a notebook in a new size in 2020?
You may discover a favourite new size!