Today we’re diving deep into a topic that’s close to my heart and crucial for any artist’s journey: developing your personal style. It’s the golden ticket, the secret sauce, the unique fingerprint that sets you apart in a world saturated with creativity. Let’s get into it.
Finding Your Personal Style
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Find your style.” But what does that really mean? It’s more than just a way of doing things; it’s about unearthing your authenticity and expressing it with high fidelity. It’s the most valuable asset you have, the pinnacle of creative aspiration. You can learn the technicalities, master the craft, and produce work that’s technically flawless. But if you don’t know who you are as a creator, you’re missing the mark.
Take musicians, for example. You might be able to create beats, compose songs, and perform live. But until your work carries your unique signature, until it screams ‘you’ from the first note, you won’t have a lasting hit. Screenwriters, this applies to you too. You can craft a perfect script, but if it lacks your personal touch, it’s just another story.
Think of Adele. You recognize her voice, her style, within seconds of a song starting, even if it’s one you’ve never heard before. That’s the power of a personal style. It goes beyond branding; it’s embedded in the DNA of your work and your process.
So, how do you find this elusive style? First, let’s address a common concern: “What about variety? I get bored easily.” I hear you. But chasing other people’s styles will leave you feeling unfulfilled and burnt out. The world doesn’t need another version of someone else; it needs you. Yes, imitation is a part of learning, but use it as a stepping stone to build your own toolkit, not as a crutch.
Make It Til You Make It
Your style should be an authentic reflection of you, not a version of what you think it should be. Developing fluency as an artist means honing the skills to make things look, sound, and feel uniquely yours. Make lots of stuff, experiment, and let your style emerge naturally. Embrace your quirks, your weirdness. That’s where your true value lies.
Your point of view, shaped by your life experiences and perspective, is your greatest asset. Share it with the world. Once you can consistently create work with a distinctive and recognizable personal style, opportunities will unfold, and you’ll unlock something precious within yourself.
Remember, this is not about being better or different; it’s about being the only. There’s only one you. Focus on bringing more of yourself into your work. It’s a journey, and it takes time. There are no shortcuts.
The best way to discover and cultivate your signature style is through repetition. Make lots and lots of the same kind of things. Let your style emerge organically from your work and your approach to the process. Don’t force it; let it flow.
Repetition is Your Ally
Forget the notion that you have to try everything. Focus. You can’t be everything to everyone. If you spread yourself too thin, trying to master ten different styles at once, you’ll never become distinctive enough in any of them to be recognized. Make ten things in the same genre, then make a hundred. Reflect, and you’ll start to see the unique threads woven through your work.
Some find their unique voice in their traumas, but if that’s not you, don’t force it. Find the universal in the particular. Your genius might lie in the way you perceive the mundane aspects of life, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Repetition is your ally. Instead of striving for a certain style, focus on creating work that resonates with you. Let your style emerge from the things that move, inspire, and energize you. What are you curious about? What made you weird as a kid? Dive into that.
Cultivating your signature style should be a top priority. Focus, master your craft, and in doing so, you’ll unlock the ability to master others. Your personal style is your creative identity, and it’s time to let it shine. So, creators, embrace your uniqueness, make lots of stuff, and let the world see what only you can bring to the table.
Enjoy!
Listen to the Podcast
