As a child, my imagination was at the heart of every playtime, driving me to explore new worlds and create stories with my toys. It wasn't something I had to think about or plan, it just came naturally. Playtime equals imagination, dreams, creativity and fun. For me as an adult, using my imagination to visualise and create carried on into my work as a digital and motion designer, but for many the transition from child to adult has meant pushing away that imagination and dulling down any notion of exploring this powerful creative resource. Somewhere along the way, many of us were told to ‘grow up’ and leave imagination behind. But what if growing up didn’t mean letting go of the imagination that once was central to us? Of course maturing into an adult is part of life that has so many benefits, but it shouldn’t mean letting go of our childlike imaginations, which I would argue is an essential part of everyone's life whether you work in the creative industry or not. 

In a world where efficiency and logic often reign, how can imagination solve the problems we face daily at work? Whether you work as a project manager, an accountant or a salesperson, how can you pull on creativity to further progress the work you do every day? There are so many reasons, from problem solving and innovation to anticipating future trends, improving team collaboration or engaging customers through storytelling.

In my experience I've found that in order to use your imagination effectively, you need to first build an environment around you ready for creativity, in which you can use your imagination and thoughts to cultivate new, exciting ideas. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve needed fresh ideas—only to sit at my desk, staring at the screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. And what happens? Emails, distractions, and eventually, frustration. Most of the time it isn’t going to happen, or at least not easily. So for me, there are three things that are essential to getting in the creative zone:

Time

Creativity needs time to flourish—it doesn’t always happen on demand but blocking out dedicated time to think, explore, and let your imagination wander without the pressure of deadlines or distractions is one the most important things you can do. When you deliberately block time out in your calendar, it gets your mind ready for a creative session, the anticipation of which may even start to subconsciously generate ideas even before you sit down.

Location

Your environment shapes your mindset. A space that inspires you, whether it’s peaceful and quiet or vibrant and energetic, can help stimulate your creativity and allow your ideas to flow more freely. For me, somewhere away from my normal working environment is key, even if it’s just another part of the office. Many times I've escaped my normal environment and gone out to a cafe. The hustle and bustle of people walking past or the noise from the kitchen really helps me focus on what I'm working on. But it’s different for everyone. Find your space and use it.

Tools

The right tools can enhance creativity by making it easier to organise your thoughts, collaborate, or bring your ideas to life. However, overreliance on technology or interruptions from devices can be a real hindrance during your planned creative session. If what you're working on allows it, maybe try leaving your phone elsewhere, or at least in your bag. I love to use a dedicated pad and pen to capture my ideas. Old school I know, but it allows you to be free from distraction, and there’s something about just using a pen that can be really freeing.

Once I’ve given myself time, found the right place and got rid of distractions, only then can I be free to really dive in, giving myself the space to focus my mind and dream up new creative. However other times I need a catalyst, a small exercise to reignite the spark of imagination. Here’s one of my favourite techniques from my own toolbox to get those creative gears turning:

Free your Imagination 

Letting your mind relax and taking it away from your current problem or specific project gives your brain time to think about the problem subconsciously. During this time, your subconscious processes may reframe the problem or integrate new insights that weren’t apparent when you were actively working on it previously. The goal is simple—give your mind a playground, free from the constraints of daily tasks and deadlines.

There are many different exercises you could do to help this, here's one that gives your imagination 10 minutes of total freedom—no limits, no rules, just pure creativity. 

Start by choosing a completely random word (unrelated to your work or current project) to spark inspiration. Write it down and let your mind explore—what images, ideas, or stories come to mind? Set a 10-minute timer and create a world, a story, or anything fantastical. Let your thoughts flow without restriction!

Word Prompts: Journey, Whisper, Urban, Escape, Leader.

We are all inherently creative, it's built into our very core. But pulling out that Creativity is a skill, it's like a muscle—that grows stronger with practice and dedication. By nurturing it, we can dream up fresh ideas, pursue original lines of thought, and ultimately deliver better results for you, your projects and your business. The key is to make time and space to embrace the endless possibilities your imagination has to offer.

In my journey as a digital and motion designer, I’ve learned that imagination is a catalyst for transformation—not just in our work but in how we see the world around us. So next time you’re stuck, give yourself the gift of time and space, and let your imagination do what it does best—create.

Tim Wickham is a senior digital and motion designer at PinPoint Media. With over 25 years experience working in creative industries, his passion for creativity is what drives his everyday. Tim is currently writing a book, ‘Creativity Unlocked: Effective Tools to Increase Productivity & Break Free from Creative Block’, due to be published later this year.