Looking in on my own creative process, I think that I achieve some sort of moment of performance with the research portion.  It is at this point that I am able to see other people’s ideas and take on a problem, and ask myself questions about them.  For example, can I do this better?  Why was this so successful, or why did it fail?  Once I figure out the answers to these questions, I can begin exploring my own ideas.

Hopefully, once I explore these ideas further I can achieve a moment of disruptive wonder.  Hopefully it occurs all the time, but realistically it doesn’t.  When it doesn’t I have to be aware that it isn’t coming and know when to walk away for a bit.  I think that is also important for any young designer, to know when you need to take a break or else you will end up pigeon holing themselves.