Musō: A creative block–encountering app
Musō: A creative block–encountering app
Overcoming Creative Block: Restoring the creative flow of designers using an AI-powered inspiration tool
Overcoming Creative Block: Restoring the creative flow of designers using an AI-powered inspiration tool
Project Scope
Project Scope
Mar-May, 2024
Mar-May, 2024
Role
Role
UI/UX Designer, Researcher
UI/UX Designer, Researcher
Tools
Tools
Figma, Miro, Trello, Teams
Figma, Miro, Trello, Teams
Inspiration from Creative Struggle
Inspiration from Creative Struggle
The seed for Musō was planted during my first year of university, in a quiet moment of revelation at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. I was mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic works of Ali Akbar Sadeghi, but it wasn't his surrealist style that struck me mos, it was his story. Faced with a crippling depression, Sadeghi didn't force himself to paint. Instead, he picked up a new medium, finding his voice again in poetry and sculpture.
In that moment, I realised the antidote to creative stagnation isn't always more effort; it's a change in perspective. He didn't break through the wall; he simply walked around it. This idea, that a strategic pivot can unlock creativity, became the core principle I wanted to build into Musō.
The seed for Musō was planted during my first year of university, in a quiet moment of revelation at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. I was mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic works of Ali Akbar Sadeghi, but it wasn't his surrealist style that struck me mos, it was his story. Faced with a crippling depression, Sadeghi didn't force himself to paint. Instead, he picked up a new medium, finding his voice again in poetry and sculpture.
In that moment, I realised the antidote to creative stagnation isn't always more effort; it's a change in perspective. He didn't break through the wall; he simply walked around it. This idea, that a strategic pivot can unlock creativity, became the core principle I wanted to build into Musō.
Behind the Creative Curtain: The Hidden Cost of Creative Block
Behind the Creative Curtain: The Hidden Cost of Creative Block
Creativity might seem effortless from the outside, but beneath the surface lies a less glamorous reality faced by many professionals today. As I delved into research for Musō, startling patterns emerged: nearly 39% of UK professionals admitted struggling with mental health issues, often compounded by workplace stress and anxiety.
Creativity might seem effortless from the outside, but beneath the surface lies a less glamorous reality faced by many professionals today. As I delved into research for Musō, startling patterns emerged: nearly 39% of UK professionals admitted struggling with mental health issues, often compounded by workplace stress and anxiety.
Feelings of insecurity were cited as the most widespread frustration among artists, revealing creativity's inherently emotional and psychological complexity. Even more concerning was data highlighting that 1 in 6 adults experienced anxiety or depression weekly, with women disproportionately affected.
Feelings of insecurity were cited as the most widespread frustration among artists, revealing creativity's inherently emotional and psychological complexity. Even more concerning was data highlighting that 1 in 6 adults experienced anxiety or depression weekly, with women disproportionately affected.
Unveiling User Insights: Listening Beyond the Surface
Unveiling User Insights: Listening Beyond the Surface
Every designer knows the process: you start with research. But for Musō, our goal wasn't just to validate assumptions; it was to find the hidden truth behind creative blocks. We carefully selected a group of creative professionals and sat down with them.
The breakthrough insight was this: Creative block wasn't a lack of ideas, but a fear of imperfection and a feeling of isolation. Creatives were getting trapped in the echo chamber of their own discipline, comparing their rough drafts to others' finished work. Our mission became clear: Musō couldn't just be a tool for inspiration; it had to be an antidote to creative loneliness.
Every designer knows the process: you start with research. But for Mūso, our goal wasn't just to validate assumptions; it was to find the hidden truth behind creative blocks. We carefully selected a group of creative professionals and sat down with them.
The breakthrough insight was this: Creative block wasn't a lack of ideas, but a fear of imperfection and a feeling of isolation. Creatives were getting trapped in the echo chamber of their own discipline, comparing their rough drafts to others' finished work. Our mission became clear: Mūso couldn't just be a tool for inspiration; it had to be an antidote to creative loneliness.
Every designer knows the process: you start with research. But for Mūso, our goal wasn't just to validate assumptions; it was to find the hidden truth behind creative blocks. We carefully selected a group of creative professionals and sat down with them.
The breakthrough insight was this: Creative block wasn't a lack of ideas, but a fear of imperfection and a feeling of isolation. Creatives were getting trapped in the echo chamber of their own discipline, comparing their rough drafts to others' finished work. Our mission became clear: Mūso couldn't just be a tool for inspiration; it had to be an antidote to creative loneliness.
The interviews left us with a mosaic of stories, frustrations, and candid confessions. To see the bigger picture, we needed to arrange the pieces. Using an affinity diagram, we mapped every quote, observation, and pain point, watching as individual data points began clustering together, forming a clear and undeniable narrative.
The interviews left us with a mosaic of stories, frustrations, and candid confessions. To see the bigger picture, we needed to arrange the pieces. Using an affinity diagram, we mapped every quote, observation, and pain point, watching as individual data points began clustering together, forming a clear and undeniable narrative.
The interviews left us with a mosaic of stories, frustrations, and candid confessions. To see the bigger picture, we needed to arrange the pieces. Using an affinity diagram, we mapped every quote, observation, and pain point, watching as individual data points began clustering together, forming a clear and undeniable narrative.
About Me
I specialise in simplifying complex topics. My process involves taking chaotic inputs user needs, technical constraints, and business goals, and organising them into scalable, intuitive solutions. Currently, I’m focused on integrating AI workflows into the design process to help teams ship higher-quality products faster.
About Me
I specialise in simplifying complex topics. My process involves taking chaotic inputs user needs, technical constraints, and business goals, and organising them into scalable, intuitive solutions. Currently, I’m focused on integrating AI workflows into the design process to help teams ship higher-quality products faster.
About Me
I specialise in simplifying complex topics. My process involves taking chaotic inputs user needs, technical constraints, and business goals, and organising them into scalable, intuitive solutions. Currently, I’m focused on integrating AI workflows into the design process to help teams ship higher-quality products faster.