These “how to stay creative” articles are always good to read. And even more important since we’ve become so blackberried and twittered.

The best detach-and-refresh I’ve done was to go on my recent vacation and not look at email for a week. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the vacation was in Paris, which is a giant feast for the senses. I soaked up everything — the artwork and sculpture and people….and food. When I came home, I was rested, refreshed and (pretty much) ready to work.

At home, being outside in the fresh air, walking by the lake and hearing the water slosh up against the rocks, sitting on a bench and watching the people walk by and interact with one another…these are surefire ways I open up those clogged creative pipes. I’ve mentioned before that if I’m working on a project and stuck, a quick run through the park and I come back with solutions. Never fails.

Finally, I’m a big fan of keeping creative files on various topics as well as one for each client. I’m always clipping articles and tearing out designs and examples that might come in handy down the road. And just to make sure I don’t forget, I keep a small notebook in my bag, on my nightstand, in the kitchen, etc. So I’m always writing down ideas that pop up.