creative writing display ideas

How to Create Awesome Book Displays

Katie McLain

Katie's parents never told her "no" when she asked for a book, which was the start of most of her problems. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Lake Forest College and is working towards a master's degree in library science at U of I. She works full time at a public library reference desk in northern IL, specializing in readers’ advisory and general book enthusiasm, and she has a deep-rooted love of all things disturbing, twisted, and terrifying. (She takes enormous pleasure in creeping out her coworkers.) When she's not spending every waking hour at the library, she's at home watching Cubs baseball with her cats and her cardigan collection, and when she's not at home, she's spending too much money on concert tickets. Her hobbies include debating the finer points of Harry Potter canon, hitting people upside the head who haven’t read The Martian, and convincing her boyfriend that she can, in fact, fit more books onto her shelves. Twitter: @kt_librarylady

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I work full time at a public library , and even though I work in the Adult Reference department, I’m fortunate enough to spend most of my work hours on book-related responsibilities. But if I had to pick an area that takes up the majority of my book-related time, it would be creating library book displays. Now, for some libraries or book stores, creating displays requires nothing more than printing off a sign and slapping a few marginally-related books on a shelf and calling it a day, but that’s what separates the amateur book displays from the awesome ones.

Over the last 5+ years, my coworkers and I have devised a set of guidelines that have helped take our book displays from good to great, so strap yourselves in while I give you an inside look at how our displays are created.

1. Brainstorm book display ideas

We have 5 different rotating displays that are changed out every 4 weeks or so. Some libraries prefer to change their displays a little more frequently, but we’ve found that this is our department sweet-spot in terms of keeping displays fresh and keeping everyone’s workload manageable. Still, that’s a lot of display ideas to cover an entire year. How do we come up with ideas?

We try to have a couple display brainstorming sessions during our department meetings throughout the year, where we all come up with ideas beforehand and bring them up in the group to see what sticks. Time-sensitive displays, anytime displays, serious displays, crazy displays – nothing’s off limits here. We brainstorm based on current events, upcoming movies, buzzworthy books, historical events, even popular memes and hashtags.

And we make heavy use of our current edition of Chase’s Calendar of Events . If your library or institution doesn’t have a copy, you can still get a decent list of special yearly celebrations through the free version of the Chase’s Calendar website. (Who knew that October was designated as Squirrel Awareness and Appreciation Month?!)

When it comes to holidays and yearly events that are standard for library displays (Valentine’s Day, Banned Books Week, Black History Month, etc.), you can make your displays stand out by giving them an unusual perspective. Do you usually put out Ireland travel guides for St. Patrick’s Day? How about a color-themed display called “It Ain’t Easy Being Green?” Or instead of doing a typical “Women’s History Month” sign for your display, call it something like “Historical Hardcore Lady Types.” It’s unexpected, it’s interesting, and it gives you an opportunity to quote Lumberjanes for work purposes.

I would also like to note that our administration has always been very supportive of our potentially controversial display topics like Pride Month and #BlackLivesMatter, so we’ve made a point to include these types of displays wherever possible throughout the year. I encourage everyone to do the same, although I know that not every administrator is willing to tackle that controversy. Make do however you can.

2. Select items for book displays

For most of our displays, we create material lists in our library’s catalog, then export, organize, and save the lists as Word documents so that we can reuse them in the future. But how do we decide what items should go on the display? Here are a few tips we’ve come up with.

The phrase “hidden gems” should be at the forefront of every display list you put together. In bookstores, it’s common to see a ton of James Patterson and Nora Roberts novels on display because these are the big names that will drive in the big customers with the big bucks. But in libraries, we’re not so concerned with getting the big names out the door because we’re not dependent on sales and we know these big names will circulate anyway. Instead, try filling your displays with lesser-known titles, such as mid-list books, diverse authors, and #ownvoices, because these are the books your patrons are less likely to have heard about.

Think outside the box! When we create displays, we try to keep a lot of the topics as broad as possible to allow for maximum creativity when picking out the titles. I particularly enjoy mixing fiction and nonfiction titles in the same display. For example, if you’re doing an adult display about space exploration, you can include books like The Martian  or Saturn Run , but you can also showcase a lot of nonfiction titles as well: Hidden Figures , Welcome to the Universe , or Packing for Mars would all be excellent choices, and  they’d allow you to highlight a few female authors and authors of color. Win-win!

Use multiple formats from multiple collections. Mix and match! If you have a title available in regular print, large print, and audio, put them all on there! Graphic novels? Go for it. Young adult? Related movies and documentaries? CDs? Heck, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can create book lists with relevant eBook titles and put those on display as well! Go nuts!

Keep an eye on condition and publication date. As much as I’d like to tell you that you can’t judge a book by its cover, the fact is that a display with newer items and eye-catching covers is going to be more enticing than a display full of banged-up books with torn covers. And as you undoubtedly know, old book covers do not always age well.

3. Put up the display

Once we’ve crafted our thoughtful display lists, we pull the items from the shelves, change their status in the catalog so that they’re listed as “display” if anyone goes looking for them, and set them up on their designated shelves. A couple of my coworkers are really good when it comes to merchandizing our displays, and I’ve picked up a couple easy techniques to maximize our shelf space and make our displays look as enticing as possible:

I don’t remember who set up these specific book displays, but I’ll just say it was probably one of my aforementioned coworkers.  They are REALLY good at what they do! I will also note that we have a graphic designer who works at the library and creates our display signage, but this is not required to create a quality display.

At the end of the day, the best book displays are thoughtful and intentional.  If you put consideration into what goes on display and how those items are arranged, your patrons will take notice too.

Got any other good display ideas?  Let us know!

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .  

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

• How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
• Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
• Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

• NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
• Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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5 writing display ideas that really rock!

• by: Anna from Pobble
• On: 4, Nov 2020
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Encouraging great writing skills can be made all the easier with the support of a great classroom display. We’ve gathered a few of our favourite writing displays from teachers who totally nailed it when it comes to inspiring writing.

Would you like a synonym with that?

This fast food inspired synonym display is bound to have your class dipping in for a few tasty alternative words.

Synonym garden

A stunning synonym garden using paint sample strips is guaranteed to brighten up your classroom and have the children buzzing with word inspiration.

Dig deeper…

Inspire your class to dig a bit deeper with their writing with this fun display that encourages them to add more detail to their sentences.

Word graveyard

This seriously spooky ‘ Dull Word Graveyard ’ will encourage your class to lay the boring words to rest.

Show your class how to make their writing magical with this enchanting display . All the essential ingredients of a good piece of writing stirred into a clever concoction.

For oodles more creative literacy inspiration check out our Pinterest boards 💡

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Pobble provides exciting daily writing resources to inspire your young writers. you'll find incredible images with ready-made writing activities that engage and motivate your class, 365 days a year. teachers, get started here., have you discovered pobble yet.

We help teachers inspire their young writers, foster a love for writing across schools, and reach accurate assessment judgments.  

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25 Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

Creative writing is a vast and dynamic field that offers a platform for individuals to express their ideas, emotions, and stories in an imaginative and original way.

It plays a crucial role in enhancing communication skills, fostering empathy, and also promoting a deep understanding of the human experience. If you’re not sure how to get started, consider these helpful writing prompts – let’s get creative!

The Importance of Creative Writing

In the realm of literature and beyond, creative writing holds a pivotal role. It not only allows for personal expression but also:

• fosters critical thinking
• enhances vocabulary
• improves writing skills
• conveys complex ideas and emotions
• serves as a therapeutic medium
• enhances empathy

From short stories and poetry to novels and screenplays, creative writing spans a wide array of genres and styles, and offers endless opportunities for exploration and expression.

In the professional realm, creative writing skills are highly valued. They can lead to various creative writing jobs in fields like publishing, advertising, journalism, and content creation. For those interested in pursuing higher education in this field, you might want to explore whether a degree in creative writing is worth it .

Understanding Creative Writing Prompts

When it comes to igniting creativity and fostering unique ideas, creative writing prompts play an invaluable role. They provide a starting point, a spark that can lead to a flame of inspiration for writers.

How Prompts Can Ignite Creativity

While creative writing is an exciting field, it can sometimes be challenging to kickstart the creative process. This is where creative writing prompts come into play. These prompts are designed to ignite the imagination and inspire writers to create original and compelling pieces.

They help to overcome writer’s block , encourage experimentation with different styles and genres. So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, creative writing prompts can be an invaluable tool to spark creativity and enhance your writing skills.

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Creative writing prompts are essentially ideas, questions, or topics that are designed to inspire and stimulate the creative writing process. They serve as a catalyst, helping to ignite the writer’s imagination and encourage them to explore new themes, concepts, or perspectives.

These prompts can take a myriad of forms. They might be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or even an image. Remember, regardless of the format, the goal of a creative writing prompt is to trigger thought and also encourage writers to delve deeper into their creative psyche, producing unique and compelling pieces of writing.

For more understanding of what creative writing entails, read our article on what is creative writing .

Types of Creative Writing Prompts

There are various types of creative writing prompts, each tailored to stimulate different forms of writing, cater to various genres, or inspire certain ideas. For example, you might encounter:

• Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are designed to inspire stories. They might provide a setting, a character, a conflict, or a plot point to kick-start the writer’s imagination.
• Non-Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are geared towards non-fiction writing, such as essays, memoirs, or journalistic pieces. They might pose a question, present a topic, or propose a perspective for the writer to explore.
• Poetry Writing Prompts : These prompts are tailored for writing poetry. They could suggest a theme, a form, a line, or a poetic device to be used in the poem.
• Dialogue Writing Prompts : These prompts focus on conversations and are designed to inspire dialogue-driven pieces. They generally provide a line or a snippet of conversation to act as a starting point.
• Story Starter Writing Prompts : These prompts serve as the opening line or the first paragraph of a story. The writer’s task is to continue the narrative from there.

Understanding the different types of creative writing prompts is essential to making the most of them. For example, when you choose the right type of prompt, you target specific writing skills , push boundaries of creativity, and provide the necessary spark to bring your ideas to life.

25 Creative Writing Prompts

Using creative writing prompts is a great way to jumpstart your creativity and get the ideas flowing. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, these prompts can help inspire your next piece. Here, we’ve broken down 25 prompts into five categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, dialogue, and story starters.

Fiction Writing Prompts

Fiction allows writers to flex their imaginative muscles. The following prompts can help to stir up new ideas for a unique storyline:

• Write a story where the main character finds an old, mysterious letter in the attic.
• Imagine a world where animals can talk.
• Create a tale where a character discovers they have a superpower.
• Write about a character who wakes up in a different era.
• Write a story set in a world where money doesn’t exist.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

Non-fiction writing can help you explore real-life experiences and lessons. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Write about a time when you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it.
• Describe the most influential person in your life.
• Share a moment when you learned a valuable lesson.
• Write about an unforgettable trip.
• Discuss a current event that has impacted you personally.

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry allows for artistic expression through words. These prompts can inspire new verses:

• Write a poem about a dream you can’t forget.
• Create a sonnet about the changing seasons.
• Write about an emotion without naming it directly.
• Craft a poem inspired by a piece of art.
• Pen a haiku about nature’s power.

Dialogue Writing Prompts

Dialogue writing can help you improve your dialogue creation skills. Try these prompts:

• Write a conversation between two people stuck in an elevator.
• Describe a heated argument between a character and their best friend.
• Create a dialogue where a character reveals a deep secret.
• Write an exchange between a detective and a suspect.
• Craft a conversation between two people who speak different languages.

Story Starter Writing Prompts

Story starters are great for sparking an idea for a story. Here are some to try:

• “When she opened the door, she couldn’t believe her eyes…”
• “He’d waited his whole life for this moment, and now…”
• “It was a town like no other, because…”
• “She was the last person on earth, or so she thought…”
• “The letter arrived, marked with a seal she didn’t recognize…”

These creative writing prompts are designed to challenge you and spark your creativity. Remember, the goal is not to create a perfect piece of writing but to ignite your imagination and hone your writing skills. Also, don’t forget, you can always revise and refine your work later .

For more on the art of writing, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Making the Most of Your Creative Writing Prompts

Now that you have a list of creative writing prompts at your disposal, it’s important to understand how to utilize them effectively. The value of a prompt lies not just in the initial idea it provides, but also in how it can be expanded and developed into a full-blown piece of writing.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts Effectively

Using creative writing prompts effectively requires an open mind and a willingness to explore. Here are some strategies to make the most of your prompts:

• Brainstorming: Allow yourself to brainstorm ideas after reading the prompt. Jot down whatever comes to mind without self-judgment or censorship.
• Freedom: Give yourself the freedom to interpret the prompt in your own way. Remember, prompts are starting points, not rigid guidelines.
• Experimentation: Experiment with different genres, perspectives, and writing styles. A prompt can be turned into a poem, a short story, or even a script for a play.
• Consistency: Try to write regularly. Whether you choose to do this daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, consistency can help develop your writing skills.
• Reflection: Finally, reflect on the prompt and your writing. Consider what worked, what didn’t, and also what you would like to improve in your next piece.

In addition to this, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Tips to Expand on a Prompt

Expanding on a prompt involves transforming a simple idea into a fully developed narrative. Here are a few tips:

• Character Development: Flesh out your characters. Give them backgrounds, motivations, and flaws to make them more relatable and interesting.
• Plot Building: Develop a coherent plot. Consider the key events, conflicts, and resolutions that will drive your story forward.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Show the reader what’s happening through vivid descriptions and actions rather than simply telling them.
• Dialogue: Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot. Make sure it’s natural and adds value to your story.
• Editing: Finally review and revise your work. Look for areas where you can improve clarity, tighten your prose, and also eliminate any inconsistencies or errors.

Editor’s Note : Don’t get rid of old ideas or unfinished works – you never know when looking back over these might spark inspiration or two ideas might mesh to form something cohesive and new!

The Right Prompts Grow Your Skills

By using these strategies, you can take full advantage of creative writing prompts and improve your writing skills. So, whether you’re pursuing a career in creative writing or just looking for a new hobby, these tips can help you unlock your full creative potential.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and how to teach creative writing .

Also, don’t miss our master list of more than 250 journal prompts .

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

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365 Creative Writing Prompts

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to help inspire you to write every single day! Use them for journaling, story starters, poetry, and more!

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If you want to become a better writer, the best thing you can do is practice writing every single day. Writing prompts are useful because we know sometimes it can be hard to think of what to write about!

To help you brainstorm, we put together this list of 365 creative writing prompts to give you something to write about daily.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire:

Whether you write short stories, poems, or like to keep a journal – these will stretch your imagination and give you some ideas for topics to write about!

1. Outside the Window : What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?

2. The Unrequited love poem: How do you feel when you love someone who does not love you back?

3. The Vessel: Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.

4. Dancing: Who’s dancing and why are they tapping those toes?

5. Food: What’s for breakfast? Dinner? Lunch? Or maybe you could write a poem about that time you met a friend at a cafe.

6. Eye Contact: Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.

7. The Rocket-ship: Write about a rocket-ship on its way to the moon or a distant galaxy far, far, away.

8. Dream-catcher : Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.

9. Animals: Choose an animal. Write about it!

10. Friendship: Write about being friends with someone.

11. Dragon : Envision a dragon. Do you battle him? Or is the dragon friendly? Use descriptive language.

12. Greeting : Write a story or poem that starts with the word “hello” or another greeting.

13. The Letter: Write a poem or story using words from a famous letter or inspired by a letter someone sent you.

14. The Found Poem : Read a book and circle some words on a page. Use those words to craft a poem. Alternatively, you can cut out words and phrases from magazines.

15. Eavesdropper : Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you’ve overheard.

16. Addict: Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are things you can’t go without?

17. Dictionary Definition : Open up a dictionary to a random word. Define what that word means to you.

18. Cleaning: Hey, even writers and creative artists have to do housework sometimes. Write about doing laundry, dishes, and other cleaning activities.

19. Great Minds: Write  about someone you admire and you thought to have had a beautiful mind.

20. Missed Connections: If you go to Craigslist, there is a “Missed Connections” section where you can find some interesting storylines to inspire your writing.

21. Foreclosure : Write a poem or short story about someone who has lost or is about to lose their home.

22. Smoke, Fog, and Haze: Write about not being able to see ahead of you.

23. Sugar: Write something so sweet, it makes your teeth hurt.

24. Numbers:  Write a poem or journal entry about numbers that have special meaning to you.

25. Dread: Write about doing something you don’t want to do.

26. Fear: What scares you a little? What do you feel when scared? How do you react?

27. Closed Doors: What’s behind the door? Why is it closed?

28. Shadow: Imagine you are someone’s shadow for a day.

29. Good Vibes: What makes you smile? What makes you happy?

30. Shopping:  Write about your shopping wishlist and how you like to spend money.

31. The Professor: Write about a teacher that has influenced you.

32. Rewrite : Take any poem or short story you enjoy. Rewrite it in your own words.

33. Jewelry: Write about a piece of jewelry. Who does it belong to?

34. Sounds : Sit outside for about an hour. Write down the sounds you hear.

35. War and Peace: Write about a recent conflict that you dealt with in your life.

36. Frame It: Write a poem or some phrases that would make for good wall art in your home.

37. Puzzle: Write about putting together the pieces of puzzles.

38. Fire-starters: Write about building a fire.

39. Coffee & Tea: Surely you drink one or the other or know someone who does- write about it!

40. Car Keys: Write about someone getting their driver’s license for the first time.

41. What You Don’t Know: Write about a secret you’ve kept from someone else or how you feel when you know someone is keeping a secret from you.

42. Warehouse : Write about being inside an old abandoned warehouse.

43. The Sound of Silence: Write about staying quiet when you feel like shouting.

44. Insult: Write about being insulted. How do you feel? Why do you think the other person insulted you?

45. Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you? What might the mirror say?

46. Dirty: Write a poem about getting covered in mud.

47. Light Switch : Write about coming out of the dark and seeing the light.

48. The Stars : Take inspiration from a night sky. Or, write about a time when “the stars aligned” in your horoscope.

49. Joke Poem : What did the wall say to the other wall? Meet you at the corner! Write something inspired by a favorite joke.

50. Just Say No : Write about the power you felt when you told someone no.

51: Sunrise/Sunset : The sun comes up, the sun goes down. It goes round and round. Write something inspiring about the sunrise or sunset.

52. Memory Lane : What does Memory Lane look like? How do you get there?

53. Tear-Jerker : Watch a movie that makes you cry. Write about that scene in the movie.

54. Dear Diary: Write a poem or short story about a diary entry you’ve read or imagined.

55. Holding Hands : The first time you held someone’s hand.

56. Photograph : Write a story or journal entry influenced by a photograph you see online or in a magazine.

57. Alarm Clock: Write about waking up.

58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.

59. Refreshed: Write a poem about a time you really felt refreshed and renewed. Maybe it was a dip into a pool on a hot summer day, a drink of lemonade, or other situation that helped you relax and start again.

60. Handle With Care : Write about a very fragile or delicate object.

61. Drama: Write about a time when you got stuck in between two parties fighting with each other.

62. Slip Up: Write about making mistakes.

63. Spice: Write about flavors and tastes or a favorite spice of yours.

64. Sing a New Song: Take a popular song off the radio and rewrite it as a poem in your own words.

65. Telephone: Write about a phone call you recently received.

66. Name: Write a poem or short story using your name in some way or form.

67. Dollhouse: Write a poem or short story from the viewpoint of someone living in a doll house.

68. Random Wikipedia Article : Go to Wikipedia and click on Random Article . Write about whatever the page you get.

69. Silly Sports: Write about an extreme or silly sport. If none inspire you, make up the rules for your own game.

70. Recipe : Write about a recipe for something abstract, such as a feeling.

71. Famous Artwork: Choose a famous painting and write about it.

72. Where That Place Used to Be : Think of a place you went to when you were younger but it now no longer there or is something else. Capture your feelings about this in your writing.

73. Last Person You Talked to: Write a quick little poem or story about the last person you spoke with.

74. Caught Red-Handed: Write about being caught doing something embarrassing.

75. Interview: Write a list of questions you have for someone you would like to interview, real or fictional.

76. Missing You: Write about someone you miss dearly.

77. Geography: Pick a state or country you’ve never visited. Write about why you would or would not like to visit that place.

78. Random Song: Turn on the radio, use the shuffle feature on your music collection or your favorite streaming music service. Write something inspired by the first song you hear.

79. Hero: Write a tribute to someone you regard as a hero.

80. Ode to Strangers: Go people watching and write an ode to a stranger you see on the street.

81. Advertisement: Advertisements are everywhere, aren’t they? Write using the slogan or line from an ad.

82. Book Inspired: Think of your favorite book. Now write a poem that sums up the entire story in 10 lines.

83. Magic : Imagine you have a touch of magic, and can make impossible things happen. What would you do?

84. Fanciest Pen: Get out your favorite pen, pencils, or even colored markers and write using them!

85. A Day in the Life: Write about your daily habits and routine.

86. Your Muse: Write about your muse – what do they look like? What does your muse do to inspire you?

87. Convenience Store : Write about an experience you’ve had at a gas station or convenience store.

88. Natural Wonders of the World: Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.

89. Status Update: Write a poem using the words from your latest status update or a friend’s status update. If you don’t use sites like Facebook or Twitter, you can often search online for some funny ones to use as inspiration.

90. Green Thumb: Write about growing something.

91. Family Heirloom: Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.

92. Bug Catcher: Write about insects.

93. Potion: Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?

94. Swinging & Sliding: Write something inspired by a playground or treehouse.

95. Adjectives: Make a list of the first 5 adjectives that pop into your head. Use these 5 words in your story, poem, or journal entry.

96. Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

97. Whispers: Write about someone who has to whisper a secret to someone else.

98. Smile: Write a poem about the things that make you smile.

99. Seasonal: Write about your favorite season.

100.  Normal: What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal?

101. Recycle : Take something you’ve written in the past and rewrite it into a completely different piece.

102. Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what’s currently in your closet or drawers.

103. Secret Message : Write something with a secret message hidden in between the words. For example, you could make an acrostic poem using the last letters of the word or use secret code words in the poem.

104. Vacation: Write about a vacation you took.

105. Heat: Write about being overheated and sweltering.

106. Spellbinding: Write a magic spell.

107. Collection : Write about collecting something, such as salt shakers, sea shells, or stamps.

108. Taking Chances: Everyone takes a risk at some point in their life. Write about a time when you took a chance and what the result was.

109. Carnival: Write a poem or story or journal entry inspired by a carnival or street fair.

110. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

111: Questions: Write about questions you have for the universe. Optional: include an answer key.

112. Rushing: Write about moving quickly and doing things fast.

113. Staircase : Use a photo of a staircase or the stairs in your home or a building you love to inspire you.

114. Neighbors: Make up a story or poem about your next door neighbor.

115. Black and Blue: Write about a time you’ve been physically hurt.

116. All Saints: Choose a saint and create a poem about his or her life.

117. Beach Inspired: What’s not to write about the beach?

118. Shoes: What kind of shoes do you wear? Where do they lead your feet?

119. The Ex: Write a poem to someone who is estranged from you.

120. My Point of View: Write in the first person point of view.

121. Stray Animal: Think of the life of a stray cat or dog and write about that.

122. Stop and Stare : Create a poem or story about something you could watch forever.

123. Your Bed: Describe where you sleep each night.

124. Fireworks : Do they inspire you or do you not like the noise and commotion? Write about it.

125. Frozen: Write about a moment in your life you wish you could freeze and preserve.

126. Alone : Do you like to be alone or do you like having company?

127. Know-it-all: Write about something you are very knowledgeable about, for example a favorite hobby or passion of yours.

128. The Promise: Write about a promise you’ve made to someone. Did you keep that promise?

129. Commotion: Write about being overstimulated by a lot of chaos.

130. Read the News Today : Construct a poem or story using a news headline for your first line.

131. Macro: Write a description of an object close-up.

132. Transportation : Write about taking your favorite (or least-favorite) form of transportation.

133. Gadgets: If you could invent a gadget, what would it do? Are there any gadgets that make your life easier?

134: Bring on the Cheese: Write a tacky love poem that is so cheesy, it belongs on top of a pizza.

135. Ladders: Write a story or poem that uses ladders as a symbol.

136. Bizarre Holiday : There is a bizarre holiday for any date! Look up a holiday for today’s date and create a poem in greeting card fashion or write a short story about the holiday to celebrate.

137. Blog-o-sphere : Visit your favorite blog or your feedreader and craft a story, journal entry, or poem based on the latest blog post you read.

138. Mailbox: Create a poem, short story, or journal entry based on a recent item of mail you’ve received.

139. Sharing : Write about sharing something with someone else.

140. Cactus: Write from the viewpoint of a cactus. What’s it like to live in the desert or have a prickly personality?

141. It’s a Sign : Have you seen any interesting road signs lately?

142. Furniture: Write about a piece of furniture in your home.

143. Failure: Write about a time you failed at something. Did you try again or give up completely?

144. Mystical Creatures: Angels or other mystical creatures – use them as inspiration.

145. Flying: Write about having wings and what you would do.

146. Clear and Transparent: Write a poem about being able to see-through something.

147. Break the Silence : Record yourself speaking, then write down what you spoke and revise into a short story or poem.

148. Beat: Listen to music with a strong rhythm or listen to drum loops. Write something that goes along with the beat you feel and hear.

149. Color Palette: Search online for color palettes and be inspired to write by one you resonate with.

150. Magazine: Randomly flip to a page in a magazine and write using the first few words you see as an opening line.

151. The Grass is Greener : Write about switching the place with someone or going to where it seems the “grass is greener”.

152. Mind & Body: Write something that would motivate others to workout and exercise.

153. Shaping Up : Write something that makes a shape on the page…ie: a circle, a heart, a square, etc.

154. Twenty-One: Write about your 21st birthday.

155. Aromatherapy: Write about scents you just absolutely love.

156. Swish, Buzz, Pop : Create a poem that uses Onomatopoeia .

157. What Time is It? Write about the time of day it is right now. What are people doing? What do you usually do at this time each day?

158. Party Animal: Have you ever gone to a party you didn’t want to leave? Or do you hate parties? Write about it!

159: Miss Manners : Use the words “please” and “thank you” in your writing.

160. Cliche: Choose a common cliche, then write something that says the same thing but without using the catch phrase.

161. Eco-friendly : Write about going green or an environmental concern you have.

162. Missing You: Write about someone you miss.

163. Set it Free: Think of a time when you had to let someone or something go to be free…did they come back?

164: Left Out : Write about a time when you’ve felt left out or you’ve noticed someone else feeling as if they didn’t belong.

165. Suitcase: Write about packing for a trip or unpacking from when you arrive home.

166. Fantasy : Write about fairies, gnomes, elves, or other mythical creatures.

167. Give and Receive : Write about giving and receiving.

168. Baker’s Dozen: Imagine the scents and sights of a bakery and write.

169. Treehouse: Write about your own secret treehouse hideaway.

170.  Risk: Write about taking a gamble on something.

171. Acrostic : Choose a word and write an acrostic poem where every line starts with a letter from the word.

172. Crossword Puzzle: Open up the newspaper or find a crossword puzzle online and choose one of the clues to use as inspiration for your writing.

173. Silver Lining : Write about the good that happens in a bad situation.

174. Gloves: Write about a pair of gloves – what kind of gloves are they? Who wears them and why?

175. All that Glitters: Write about a shiny object.

176. Jealousy: Write with a theme of envy and jealousy.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

177. How Does Your Garden Grow? Write about a flower that grows in an unusual place.

178. Jury Duty : Write a short story or poem that takes place in a courtroom.

179. Gifts: Write about a gift you have given or received.

180. Running: Write about running away from someone or something.

181. Discovery: Think of something you’ve recently discovered and use it as inspiration.

182. Complain:  Write about your complaints about something.

183. Gratitude: Write a poem or journal entry that is all about things you are thankful for.

184. Chemistry: Choose an element and write a poem or story that uses that word in one of the lines.

185. Applause: Write about giving someone a standing ovation.

186. Old Endings Into New Beginnings:  Take an old poem, story, or journal entry of yours and use the last line and make it the first line of your writing today.

187. Longing: Write  about something you very much want to do.

188. I Am: Write a motivational poem or journal entry about positive traits that make you who you are.

189. Rainbow : What is at the end of a rainbow? Or, take a cue from Kermit the Frog, and ask yourself, why are there so many songs about rainbows?

190. Museum: Take some time to visit a nearby museum with your journal. Write about one of the pieces that speaks to you.

191. Cartoon: Think of your favorite cartoon or comic. Write a poem or story that takes place in that setting.

192. Copycat: Borrow a line from a famous public domain poem to craft your own.

193. From the Roof-tops:  Imagine you could stand on a rooftop and broadcast a message to everyone below – what would you say?

194. Time Travel: If there was a time period you could visit for a day, where would you go? Write about traveling back in time to that day.

195. Changing Places: Imagine living the day as someone else.

196. Neighborhood: Write about your favorite place in your neighborhood to visit and hang out at.

197. Pirates: Write about a pirate ship.

198. Interview : Write based on a recent interview you’ve read or seen on TV or heard on the radio.

199.  Hiding Spaces : Write about places you like to hide things at. What was a favorite hiding spot for you as a child playing hide-and-seek?

200. Extreme Makeover: Imagine how life might be different if you could change your hair color or clothing into something completely opposite from your current style.

201. Empathy: Write about your feelings of empathy or compassion for another person.

202. Opposites: Write a poem or story that ties in together two opposites.

203. Boredom: Write about being bored or make a list of different ways to entertain yourself.

204. Strength : Think of a time when you’ve been physically or emotionally strong and use that as inspiration.

205. Hunger: Write from the perspective of someone with no money to buy food.

206. Greed: Write about someone who always wants more – whether it be money, power, etc. etc.

207. Volcano: Write about an eruption of a volcano.

208. Video Inspiration : Go to Vimeo.com or YouTube.com and watch one of the videos featured on the homepage. Write something based on what you watch.

209. Sneeze: Write about things that make you sneeze.

210. Footsteps on the Moon:  Write about the possibility of life in outer-space.

211: Star-crossed: Write a short modern version of the story of Romeo and Juliet or think of real-life examples of lovers who are not allowed to be together to use as inspiration for your writing.

212. Font-tastic: Choose a unique font and type out a poem, story or journal entry using that font.

213. Schedule: Take a look at your calendar and use the schedule for inspiration in writing.

214. Grandparents: Write about a moment in your grandparent’s life.

215. Collage: Go through a magazine and cut out words that grab your attention. Use these words to construct a poem or as a story starter or inspiration for your journal.

216. Oh so Lonely: Write a poem about what you do when you are alone – do you feel lonely or do you enjoy your own company?

217. Waterfall: Think of a waterfall you’ve seen in person or spend some time browsing photos of waterfalls online. Write about the movement, flow, and energy.

218. First Kiss: Write about your first kiss.

219. So Ironic: Write about an ironic situation you’ve been in throughout your life.

220. Limerick: Write a limerick today.

221. Grocery Shopping: Write about an experience at the grocery store.

222. Fashion : Go through a fashion magazine or browse fashion websites online and write about a style you love.

223. So Close: Write about coming close to reaching a goal.

224. Drinks on Me: Write a poem or short story that takes place at a bar.

225. Online Friends: Write an ode to someone online you’ve met and become friends with.

226. Admiration: Is there someone you admire? Write about those feelings.

227. Trash Day: Write from the perspective of a garbage collector.

228. Mailbox: Open your mailbox and write something inspired by one of the pieces of mail you received.

229. Fresh & Clean: Write about how you feel after you take a shower.

230. Energized: Write about how you feel when you’re either at a high or low energy level for the day.

231. Rhyme & No Reason: Make up a silly rhyming poem using made up words.

232. Tech Support: Use computers or a conversation with tech support you’ve had as inspiration.

233. Hotel: Write from the perspective of someone who works at a hotel or staying at a hotel.

234. Underwater: Write about sea creatures and under water life. What’s under the surface of the ocean? What adventures might be waiting?

235. Breathing: Take a few minutes to do some deep breathing relaxation techniques. Once your mind is clear, just write the first few things that you think of.

236. Liar, Liar: Make up a poem or story of complete lies about yourself or someone else.

237. Obituaries: Look at the recent obituaries online or in the newspaper and imagine the life of someone and write about that person.

238. Pocket: Rummage through your pockets and write about what you keep or find in your pockets.

239. Cinquain: Write a cinquain poem, which consists of 5 lines that do not rhyme.

240. Alphabetical: Write a poem that has every letter of the alphabet in it.

241.  Comedy Club: Write something inspired by a comedian.

242. Cheater: Write about someone who is unfaithful.

243. Sestina: Give a try to writing a sestina poem.

244. Fight: Write about witnessing two people get in an argument with each other.

245. Social Network : Visit your favorite Social Networking website (ie: Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Twitter, etc.) and write a about a post you see there.

246. Peaceful: Write about something peaceful and serene.

247. In the Clouds: Go cloud watching for the day and write about what you imagine in the clouds.

248. At the Park: Take some time to sit on a park bench and write about the sights, scenes, and senses and emotions you experience.

249. Sonnet: Write a sonnet today.

250. Should, Would, And Could: Write a poem or story using the words should, would, and could.

251. How to: Write directions on how to do something.

252. Alliteration: Use alliteration in your poem or in a sentence in a story.

253. Poker Face: Write about playing a card game.

254. Timer: Set a timer for 5 minutes and just write. Don’t worry about it making sense or being perfect.

255. Dance: Write about a dancer or a time you remember dancing.

256. Write for a Cause: Write a poem or essay that raises awareness for a cause you support.

257. Magic : Write about a magician or magic trick.

258. Out of the Box: Imagine finding a box. Write about opening it and what’s inside.

259. Under the Influence: What is something has impacted you positively in your life?

260. Forgotten Toy : Write from the perspective a forgotten or lost toy.

261. Rocks and Gems: Write about a rock or gemstone meaning.

262. Remote Control: Imagine you can fast forward and rewind your life with a remote control.

263. Symbolism: Think of objects, animals, etc. that have symbolic meaning to you. Write about it.

264. Light at the End of the Tunnel: Write about a time when you saw hope when it seemed like a hopeless situation.

265. Smoke and Fire : “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Use this saying as inspiration to write!

266. Railroad: Write about a train and its cargo or passengers.

267. Clipboard: Write about words you imagine on an office clipboard.

268. Shipwrecked: Write about being stranded somewhere – an island, a bus stop, etc.

269. Quotable: Use a popular quote from a speaker and use it as inspiration for your writing.

270. Mind   Map it Out: Create a mind map of words, phrases, and ideas that pop into your head or spend some time browsing the many mind maps online. Write a poem, story, or journal entry inspired by the mind map.

271. Patterns : Write about repeating patterns that occur in life.

272. Scrapbook : Write about finding a scrapbook and the memories it contains.

273. Cure: Write about finding a cure for an illness.

274. Email Subject Lines: Read your email today and look for subject lines that may be good starters for writing inspiration.

275. Wishful Thinking: Write about a wish you have.

276. Doodle : Spend some time today doodling for about 5-10 minutes. Write about the thoughts you had while doodling or create something inspired by your finished doodle.

277. Chalkboard: Imagine you are in a classroom. What does it say on the chalkboard?

278. Sticky: Imagine a situation that’s very sticky, maybe even covered in maple syrup, tape or glue. Write about it!

279. Flashlight : Imagine going somewhere very dark with only a flashlight to guide you.

280. A Far Away Place : Envision yourself traveling to a fictional place, what do you experience in your imaginary journey?

281. On the Farm : Write about being in a country or rural setting.

282. Promise to Yourself: Write about a promise you want to make to yourself and keep.

283. Brick Wall : Write a poem that is about a brick wall – whether literal or figurative.

284. Making a Choice: Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice.

285.  Repeat: Write about a time when you’ve had to repeat yourself or a time when it felt like no one was listening.

286. Outcast : Write about someone who is not accepted by their peers. (for example, the Ugly Ducking)

287. Scary Monsters: Write about a scary (or not-so-scary) monster in your closet or under the bed.

288. Sacrifice: Write about something you’ve sacrificed doing to do something else or help another person.

289. Imperfection: Create a poem that highlights the beauty in being flawed.

290. Birthday Poem: Write a poem inspired by birthdays.

291. Title First : Make a list of potential poem or story titles and choose one to write from.

292. Job Interview : Write about going on a job interview.

293. Get Well : Write a poem that will help someone who is sick feel better quick!

294. Lost in the Crowd: Write about feeling lost in the crowd.

295. Apple a Day: Write about a health topic that interests you.

296. Cravings: Write about craving something.

297. Phobia: Research some common phobias, choose one, and write about it.

298. In the Moment: Write about living in the present moment.

299. Concrete : Write about walking down a sidewalk and what you see and experience.

300. Battle: Write about an epic battle, whether real, fictional or figurative.

301. This Old House : Write about an old house that is abandoned or being renovated.

302. Clutter: Is there a cluttered spot in your home? Go through some of that clutter today and write about what you find or the process of organizing.

303. Go Fly a Kite: Write about flying a kite.

304. On the TV: Flip to a random TV channel and write about the first thing that comes on – even if it is an infomercial!

305. Fruit: Write an ode to your favorite fruit.

306. Long Distance Love: Write about a couple that is separated by distance.

307. Glasses: Write about a pair of eyeglasses or someone wearing glasses.

308. Robotic : Write about a robot.

309. Cute as a Button: Write about something you think is just adorable.

310. Movie Conversation: Use a memorable conversation from a favorite movie to inspire your writing.

311. Easy-Peasy : Write  about doing something effortlessly.

312. Idiom: Choose from a list of idioms one that speaks to you and create a poem around that saying or phrase. (Ie: It is raining cats and dogs)

313. Playground: Whether it is the swings or the sandbox or the sliding boards, write about your memories of being on a playground.

314. Romance: Write about romantic things partners can do for each other.

315. Rock Star: Imagine you are a famous rock star. Write about the experience.

316. Come to Life: Imagine ordinary objects have come to life. Write about what they do and say.

317. Airplane: Write about meeting someone on an airplane and a conversation you might have.

318. Health & Beauty: Take some time to peruse your medicine cabinet or the health and beauty aisles at a local store. Write a poem, short story, or journal entry inspired by a product label.

319. Determination: Write about not giving up.

320. Instrumental Inspiration: Listen to some instrumental music and write a poem that matches the mood, beat, and style of the music.

321. Wait Your Turn: Write about having to wait in line.

322. Personality Type : Do you know your personality type? (There are many free quizzes online) – write about what type of personality traits you have.

323. Decade: Choose a favorite decade and write about it. (IE: 1980’s or 1950’s for example)

324. I Believe: Write your personal credo of things you believe in.

325. Lost and Found: Write about a lost object.

326. Say it: Write a poem or story that uses dialogue between two people.

327. The Unsent Letter: Write about a letter that never made it to its recipient.

328. The Windows of the Soul: Write a poem about the story that is told through someone’s eyes.

329. Trial and Error: Write about something you learned the hard way.

330. Escape : Write about where you like to go to escape from it all.

331. What’s Cooking: Write something inspired a favorite food or recipe.

332. Records : Go through your file box and pull out old receipts or records…write something inspired by what you find!

333. Banking: Write about visiting the bank.

334. Sweet Talk: Write about trying to convince someone of something.

335. Serendipity: Write about something that happened by chance in a positive way.

336. Distractions: Write about how it feels when you can’t focus.

337. Corporation: Write about big business.

338. Word of the Day: Go to a dictionary website that has a word of the day and use it in a poem, story or journal entry you write.

339. Pick Me Up:  What do you do when you need a pick me up?

340. Unfinished: Write about a project you started but never completed.

341. Forgiveness: Write about a time when someone forgave you or you forgave someone.

342. Weakness: Write about your greatest weakness.

343. Starting: Write about starting a project.

344. Mechanical: Think of gears, moving parts, machines.

345. Random Act of Kindness : Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone or someone has done for you, no matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed.

346. Underground: Imagine living in a home underground and use that as inspiration for writing.

347. Classic Rock: Pick a classic rock love ballad and rewrite it into a story or poem with a similar theme.

348. Night Owl : Write about staying up late at night.

349. Magnetic : Write about attraction to something or someone.

350. Teamwork: Write about working with a team towards a common goal.

351. Roller-coaster : Write about the ups and downs in life.

352. Motivational Poster: Look at some motivational posters online and write a poem or journal entry inspired by your favorite one.

353. Games: Write about the games people play – figuratively or literally.

354. Turning Point: Write about a point in life where things turned for the better or worse.

355. Spellbound: Write about a witch’s spell.

356. Anniversary: Write about the anniversary of a special date.

357. Gamble:  Be inspired by a casino or lottery ticket.

358. Picnic: Write about going on a picnic.

359. Garage: Write about some random item you might find in a garage.

360. Review: Review your week, month, or year in a journal entry or poem format.

361. Detective: Write about a detective searching for clues or solving a mystery.

362. Camera: Take your camera for a walk and write based on one of the photographs you take.

363. Visiting : Write about visiting a family member or friend.

364. Trust: Write about putting trust in someone.

365. Congratulations : Did you write a poem, short story, or journal entry every day for a whole year? Write about what you’ve learned and celebrate your achievement!

We hope you enjoy these creative writing prompts! And of course, if you write anything using these prompts, we’d love to know about it! Tell us how you’ll use these everyday creative writing prompts in the comments section below!

And of course, if you’d like the printable ad-free version of these prompts to reference again and again or to use in your classroom, you can find them at our Etsy shop !

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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10 Creative Writing Research and Passion Project Ideas for Middle and High School Students

By Jordan Ellington

Project Support Manager at Polygence

5 minute read

Are you someone who uses a journal to write as a way to escape reality? Or, maybe you love reading and writing poems? If your creative outlet revolves around using your imagination to bring thoughts alive on paper, you can explore the written word with a research or passion project you design!

How Do I Choose My Creative Writing Project Topic or Focus?

When embarking on a creative writing project, selecting the right topic or focus is essential to ensuring your project is engaging and fulfilling. Here's how to go about it:

Follow Your Passion: Start by considering what truly excites you in the realm of creative writing. Is it poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or a specific genre within these categories? Your passion will be the driving force behind your project.

Identify Your Unique Perspective: Think about what sets you apart as a writer. What experiences, interests, or viewpoints do you bring to the table? Identifying your unique perspective can help you choose a topic that resonates with your voice.

Explore Unanswered Questions: Consider the questions or ideas in creative writing that have piqued your curiosity. Are there aspects of storytelling, character development, or poetic forms that you'd like to explore further? These unanswered questions can lead to intriguing project ideas.

Seek Inspiration: Delve into the works of your favorite authors, poets, or literary movements. Inspiration often strikes when you immerse yourself in the writings of others. Pay attention to what resonates with you and sparks your creativity.

Consider Your Audience: Think about who your project is intended for. Are you writing for peers, educators, or a broader audience? Understanding your audience can guide your choice of topic and writing style.

Balance Challenge and Enjoyment: While it's essential to challenge yourself, ensure that your chosen topic brings you joy. Balancing challenge and enjoyment will keep your motivation high throughout the project.

Brainstorm and Reflect: Take time to brainstorm ideas and reflect on their potential. Write down your thoughts, jotting down any project concepts that emerge during this process.

Remember that your creative writing project should be a reflection of your interests and passions. Choosing a topic or focus that genuinely resonates with you will make the entire project more rewarding.

What are a fe Creative Writing Project Ideas?

1. literature and pandemics.

Write a play script revolving around previous pandemics! You’ve lived through COVID-19 and can interview others who have been through pandemics that you haven’t. This is a great way to inform others about different tragedies that have occurred.

Idea by creative writing research mentor Will 

2. Solicit multiple perspectives about a big idea

Come up with a question that could have multiple different meanings depending on who you ask. For example, what does it mean to be a good friend? Once you come up with your question, obtain three different perspectives of the question and respond within three different outlets. You could write a poem about your perspective, a short story about your friend’s perspective, and a blog post about a family member's perspective!

Idea by creative writing research mentor Isabelle 

3. 10 minute writing from the soul: what will it reveal?

It’s time to “free” write! Think back to a special memory and write about every little detail. If not a special memory, it can be something as simple as your morning experience on the train. Think about your surroundings at that moment, the colors people around you were wearing, what you were feeling, write it all down!  Write without thinking and let the creativity of your brain flow. Once done, draw and paint your story.

Idea by creative writing research mentor Anna  

4. Creative Writing research

Learn the basics of poetry and creative nonfiction writing! For this project, you can start by reading and exploring the different styles of these two types of writing. The goal is for you to become inspired by one of the pieces that you read so you can create something of your own. This project is about self exploration and enjoying what words have to offer.   

Idea by creative writing research mentor Wisteria 

5. Poetry chapbook

Focus on all things poetry! Start by studying the different types of poetry to better understand the ins and outs of each style. Once your skills are well enough developed, create a chapbook of your poetry.

Idea by creative writing research mentor Lawrence

6. Fiction writing

Exaggerate your truth by writing a fiction story! Learn more about fiction writing as a whole in order to develop your writing skills even further. Focus on finding your voice and your preferred writing style by reading and learning through the work of different authors.  From there, write your own story to create something beautiful. 

Idea by creative writing research mentor Christopher

7. Stories! Essays! Poems! Oh My!

Are you someone who has sticky notes all around your house with random ideas or thoughts that spontaneously come to mind? Or maybe the “notes” section in your phone is more like a random jumble of words.  It’s time to put all of your ideas together to create a story! Choose your favorite writing style, grab all of your brainstorming notes, and let your imagination flow. 

Idea by creative writing research mentor Catalina

8. Blending genres, exploring form

Remix different writing forms to make them your own! Learn about the different styles of poetry and then think outside the box by inventing something original and unique. Move away from doing something traditional and see what your mind can do on its own with no boundaries. 

Idea by creative writing research mentor Kira

9. Family recipe zine

If you are someone who is passionate about your culture and the food that you grew up eating, create something to express that passion! For this project write your own, printable, cookbook. Include your own family photos, family recipes, and stories filled with memories to go along. 

Idea by creative writing research mentor Sarah

10. Short stories

Read through an array of different fictional short stories within your genre of choice. Studying different stories will assist you with developing your own writing style. Write your own short story to see what you can come up with! 

Idea by creative writing research mentor Vahid

Create a research project tailored to your interests and your schedule

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own. We also offer options to explore multiple topics, or to showcase your final product!

How Can I Showcase My Creative Writing Project?

Once you've completed your creative writing research or passion project, it's time to showcase your hard work and creativity. Here's how to effectively present your project to your audience:

Create a Compelling Presentation: Design a presentation that effectively communicates your project's key aspects. Use visuals, slides, or multimedia elements to enhance engagement.

Craft an Engaging Introduction: Begin your presentation with a captivating introduction that sets the stage for your project. Explain why you chose the topic, its significance, and what readers or viewers can expect.

Highlight Your Writing Process: Share insights into your creative process. Discuss how you developed your ideas, overcame challenges, and refined your work. This provides context for your audience.

Showcase Your Work: Present excerpts or samples of your creative writing. Whether it's a poem, short story, or essay, let your audience experience your writing firsthand.

Discuss Inspirations and Influences: Mention the authors, literary movements, or works that inspired your project. This helps your audience understand the broader literary context of your work.

Explain the Project's Impact: Share how your project has impacted your growth as a writer. Discuss any new skills, insights, or perspectives you've gained.

Invite Questions and Discussion: Encourage your audience to ask questions or provide feedback. Engaging in a discussion about your project can deepen the connection with your audience.

Consider a Portfolio: If your project includes multiple pieces of creative writing, consider organizing them into a portfolio. This provides a comprehensive view of your work.

Publish or Share Online: If possible, publish your project on a blog, website, or social media platform. Sharing your work online can reach a wider audience and connect you with fellow writers.

Reflect on Your Journey: Conclude your presentation by reflecting on your creative journey throughout the project. Share what you've learned and how it has shaped your writing.

By effectively showcasing your creative writing research or passion project, you can not only share your creativity but also inspire others in their writing endeavors. Remember that presenting your work with confidence and enthusiasm can make a lasting impression on your audience.

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High School Research Student Padma Writes a 107-page Creative Narrative About the Spanish Civil War

High School Research Student Skye Writes Brave and Vulnerable Prose Poem About Living With Marginalized Identity

Want to start a project of your own?

Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors who can help take your project off the ground!

What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Read This Next:

• What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
• What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)

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English: Original display ideas

Tes resources team.

Brighten up your classroom for the new academic year with these unique display packs

The end of an academic year is the perfect time to refresh your display boards and get creative ready for the new term in September. Whether you're looking for literary quotes, GCSE posters or careers displays, we have hand-picked a selection of engaging display packs to help you get started.

AQA English Language GCSE Paper 1 & 2 Question Breakdown for Display.

Conflict Poetry Display Posters

An Inspector Calls Quotes Display

Language Features Display / Cards

Macbeth revision posters / display

Punctuation Poster

English Questions Display

Edgar Allen Poe Classroom Display

English Careers Poster

100 Books Reading Challenge- Bookshelf Display

70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing (with Free Slides)

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Visual writing prompts help young writers generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block. We’ve put together 70 picture prompts for creative writing that you can use in your writing centers or lesson plans to get your students’ creative juices flowing.

Picture Writing Prompts for All Ages

Writers of all ages and experience levels can get stuck thinking about what to write. Writer’s block is not just a challenge for reluctant writers. Even professional writers have days when they feel less than inspired.

Visual prompts can result in a vast array of story ideas. A single image viewed by ten writers will result in ten completely different stories. Even if you use verbal cues to get students thinking about the picture, each student will still write a unique response to the image.

Visual creative writing prompts are fantastic for elementary school because younger students often relate more to a pictorial prompt than a written one, but don’t shy away from using these with high school and middle school students as well. Pictures make a fun alternative to your typical writing prompts and story starters and can help shake up your regular routine.

How to Use Picture Prompts for Creative Writing

There’s no limit to the ways you can use writing prompts. Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate image prompts into your weekly lesson plans .

• Writing Center. Print cards or writing pages with these images on them and put them in a writing center for your students to discover at their own pace.
• Specific Skills. Use story picture prompts to help kids work on specific writing skills. For example, you could work on descriptive writing by having them describe the setting of the picture in detail. Or you could work on character development by having them make up a history for a person in a picture.
• Warm-up Activity: You could pop the pictures into Google slides and project an image on a screen or whiteboard for the first fifteen minutes of class and have students work on a short story as soon as they enter the class.

No matter how you decide to use them—whether at home or in the classroom—photographic writing prompts are a great way to cultivate a daily writing habit and encourage kids to explore new topics.

70 Pictures for Writing Prompts

We’ve selected 70 of the most interesting pictures we could find for this exercise. When choosing photos for writing prompts, we look for high-quality photos with intriguing subject matter, but we try to go beyond that. We want to share images that suggest a story, that make the viewer ask questions and wonder why things are the way they are.

We want to feel propelled to explore questions like, What happened before the photo that led to this moment? What are we witnessing in this photo? What’s about to happen?

A photo doesn’t make much of a story starter if it doesn’t suggest that there might be a bigger picture lurking beneath the surface.

We hope you and your students love these picture prompts for creative writing as much as we do. If you love them, go ahead and scroll to the bottom to grab your own copy.

We’ve included a couple of questions with each picture that you could use to spark pre-writing conversations in your classroom, which can be helpful when working with younger students who might need a little more direction.

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Whose cat is this? What is he looking at? Where is he?

What is the owl thinking about? Is he alone? What does he hope to eat for dinner?

Who are these frogs? What is their relationship with each other? Why are they taking photos?

How did the dog get a phone? Why is he taking selfies? What is he doing with the pictures he takes?

This cat doesn’t look too happy. What’s bugging him? Did he get too many phone calls or is he waiting on an important call that’s taking too long to come?

What do these chicks think of the dog? What does the dog think of the chicks? Do you think they can communicate with each other? If so, what would they say?

Where do these lemurs live? What are they looking at? What is something unusual that might happen to them?

What is this fox doing? Is he yawning and stretching or is he trying to scare someone away? What kind of mischief does he like to get up to?

Is this wolf alone? If not, who is with him? What is he planning to do? Does he have a family to feed or protect?

What is this child doing on the laptop? Can he actually read and type or is he just playing? If he can read and type, how did he learn that at such a young age? What other cool things can he do?

Where is this woman? Is she lost? How did she get to this street? What interesting things might she discover as she explores this new city?

Why is the dog wearing glasses? Can he see through them? What are he and the girl doing? How does he feel about it?

Who are these two little boys? What is their relationship with each other? What is the teddy bear’s story?

Who are these children? Why are they running? Is it a race or are they playing a game? Who’s going to win?

Whose horse is this? Does the little boy own it or does he just visit it? Can the horse talk? How does the boy feel when he’s with the horse?

What is this boy reading? Does the book have magical powers? Does the boy? Do the stories in the book become real or does something else special happen?

Where is this man? How did he get there? What is he looking for?

Who is walking over the bridge? What’s on the other side? Is it worth the risk?

What are these people doing on the elephant? Where are they? Are they tourists or is the elephant their pet? What would life with an elephant be like?

Who made this map? It looks old. Has it been hidden away for a long time? Who discovered it and how? What does it lead to?

Whose typewriter is this? What important or secretive thing might they be working on? What could happen if the wrong person finds their work?

Who are these three stuffed animals? Are they living? What is their story?

Whose ukulele is this? Why did they leave it here? Who might find it?

Where is the owner of the bike? Where does this path lead? What if the bike’s not there when the owner returns?

Whose shoes are these? Why did they leave them here? Why are they so dirty?

Who was reading the newspaper? What was the most interesting thing they read? Where have they disappeared to?

Who put this sign on the old truck? What do you think of it? How did the truck end up in its current condition and location?

Who set the table? Who are they expecting? What special occasion are they celebrating? What could go wrong?

Whose birthday cake is this? Are they having a party? Who is there? Who did they want to have there that didn’t show up?

Who lives here? How do they access their home? What is their life like?

Who built the igloo? Where is it? How does it feel to spend the night inside it?

What is the history of this castle? Who lives in it now? Does it have any special or magical features?

Is this barn abandoned or do people live on the property? What kind of animals might live here? How do they keep themselves entertained?

What is it like living on a houseboat? What kind of community do you think forms among the neighbors? Imagine you live on one of these boats and think about how your daily life might change. What interesting things could you do if you lived here? What would you miss the most?

Where is this hut? Who lives here? What mystery might unfold if a stranger came knocking at their door?

What is this lighthouse called? Who runs it? How often do they leave? What is the most memorable experience they’ve had as a lighthouse operator?

How did this house get here? Does anyone live in it? What would life be like here?

Where is this festive street? Are the people there celebrating something? Where is everybody?

Who lives here? How did they build this house? Are they hiding from something? What does it look like inside?

Whose notebook is this? Why did they leave it here? What’s written in it and how might it change the life of the person who finds it?

What are these women doing? What are they supposed to be doing? Will they be in trouble if they get caught?

Who might be represented in this statue? Why is she being pulled by lions? What amazing things might she have done to deserve a statue in this prominent place?

Where is this? Who is riding in the hot air balloons? Where are they going and why?

How old is this tree? Where is it? What are some of the most fascinating stories it could tell?

Where is this carousel? Who is riding it? Can you think of a special or strange story about how it came to exist in this particular place?

What are these people thinking about? What’s at stake for them? What happens if one of them sneezes?

Where are these penguins? What are they talking about? Which one of them is the leader?

What is this place? Was it designed to be open like this or was it once part of someone’s home or a public building? How have people’s opinions of this place changed over time?

Who are these kids? Is this what they’re supposed to be doing? What happens when their teacher sees them?

Who is supposed to ride in this boat? Where are they going? Will they make it there?

Is this plane special to someone? What did they have to do to get it/build it? Where will they fly to in it?

Who decorated this train car? Which passengers will fill it up? What will they talk about?

Whose skis are these? Why are they sticking out of the snow? How did their owner get down the mountain without them?

Where does this gondola go? Who rides it? How does it feel to ride it?

Who’s driving the monster truck? Why is it at the beach? What is it going to crush? Who is watching?

Where is the boat going? Who is on it? What is their mission?

What city is the helicopter flying over? Why? Is the driver looking for something specific or do they have a special delivery?

What’s the little boy doing in the boat? Is he alone or is someone with him? Where is he trying to go?

Who is in the sub? What’s it like inside? What are they doing?

Whose book is this? What’s it about? What’s happening to it?

How did that piece of land with the house on it break off from the rest of the world? Why? Where is it going? Is anyone in the house?

Who is this girl? Where is she? Who is she shooting at?

Where does this scene take place? Is the lizard/dragon good or bad? What is its relationship with the girl?

What do these books represent? What kind of world is this? What (or who) is inside the books?

What are these dinosaurs discussing? Where are they? What do they do for fun?

Whose cottage is this? Do they still live there? If not, where have they gone? If so, what do they do there?

What is the moth thinking about? Is it alone? What’s the biggest challenge it faces in this moment?

Who is the owl looking at? Has it read these books? What is its greatest talent?

Where are these trees? Why are they pink? Do they have any special powers or features?

What do you think? Which kind of pictures do you like best for creative writing prompts ? Let us know in the comments.

Thursday 9th of May 2024

I love this website because I was using it with my kindergartners and it work so so so well!!!!

Monday 20th of May 2024

That's wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Tuesday 5th of March 2024

I LOVE these! My daughter has always struggled with written story prompts and an internet search this week convinced me of the value of picture prompts for reluctant readers/writers (https://youcanjournal.com/journal-picture-prompts/ if you're interested!). I'll definitely be using these to help improve her writing skills. Thanks so much!

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

I think the idea of using picture prompts is a great idea. It initiates oral language thus building vocabulary. It allows lends itself to students working in small groups to stimulate new ideas. The prompts engage the students and gives the teacher the opportunity to focus on specific writing skills.

luke elford

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

cloey mckay

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

I tried this with myself and my 6th-grade students, and they love it. it gives room for so much creativity.

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Blog Marketing 55+ Creative Poster Ideas, Templates & Design Tips

55+ Creative Poster Ideas, Templates & Design Tips

Written by: Ryan McCready May 03, 2023

Think about some of the most creative posters that you have seen throughout your life. I know that there are a handful that stick out in your brain.

Now, what makes all of those posters so memorable? Honestly, it takes a lot of things working in perfect harmony to create a poster.

In this article, I’m going to show you how to bring all of those elements together to come up with a creative poster idea.

But if you want to get a head start and not start from scratch, why not use a poster template to speed up the process?

Here are 55+ creative posters ideas to inspire you, so you can create your own.

57 Poster design ideas to keep in mind

Before we start, here are some poster design tips you need to be aware of:

• Use a color overlay for a more understated poster 
• Keep consistent margin widths
• Incorporate your product directly into your creative poster ideas
• Use directional cues like icons and illustrations to direct the eye to important information
• Design two complementary creative posters
• Group important information together to help it stand out
• Use accent colors in your minimalist designs
• Use hand-drawn illustrations in your poster design
• Go ahead and pick an EXTRA bold color palette

Now onto the complete list:

1. Mix bold complementary colors with a simple poster layout

Let’s be honest, this creative poster looks like it belongs on the wall of your favorite local boutique or coffee house. Maybe the one that knows you by name because you’re in there a little too often.

The designer pulled off this trendy look by combining a complementary color palette with a relatively simple layout. As you can see, the orange background really helps the off-white sections jump off the page. And the succulent, which is always trendy, adds a bit of interesting green to the poster background too.

Related : How to Apply the Right Layout To Your Poster

2. Start with an eye-catching poster background image

Most of the time your poster background image or graphic is going to dominate the design. It’s also going to be the first thing that a reader will see, so you need to make it count.

These days many people just slap a vague stock image on their poster and call it a day. Now I have a well-documented hatred of most stock photos , but with this event poster template ,  they absolutely nail it.

From the bold color palette to the way the image naturally divides the poster, to the modern font choice, it all comes together perfectly.

Honestly, it may be one of my favorite creative poster ideas in this article!  And it hurts me a little to say this, but the stock photo is what makes it perfect.

Just so you know, some of our poster templates are free to use and some require a small monthly fee. Sign up is always free, as is access to Venngage’s online drag-and-drop editor.

3. Create the best motivational posters by using color overlays

The best motivational posters are simple and clear. They typically use an inspiring or breathtaking image, and pair it with a really bold message. However, sometimes the perfect image is very busy and colorful. When you add text it seems to just disappear into the image. 

To solve this problem, you can apply a color overlay that’ll subdue your background photo. You can check out this motivational poster example to see how a color overlay works.

With a simple transparent layer, you can turn a vivid or colorful image into a reserved background in seconds.

Plus, the color overlay helps the text on your motivational poster jump out at the reader. You can also choose custom canvas prints of your posters if you want to stick them on the wall for a long time. This will give you a professional and durable display that will inspire you daily.

4. Use leading lines to direct the reader’s eyes to your creative poster

Leading lines direct the eye towards the focal point of an image. Using leading lines is a great way to compose a memorable picture.

This photography composition concept can also be used to create a memorable poster as well, like in the example above .

In this case, the lines of the buildings naturally direct the eye down the poster to the job listings.

Without those leading lines, readers might not even notice the job listings. And this company would miss out on some great employees.

5. Create your own custom icon story 

If you’re struggling to think of a creative poster idea, don’t worry icons are here to help! Because they are so versatile and plentiful I try to use them in all of my projects, especially posters.

As you can see in this conservation poster template, pollution-centric icons come together to form a dolphin from scratch.

All it takes is a few clicks .

Using icons to create a whole new story is powerful and will make people stop to learn more, especially if they are passionate about conservation or just love dolphins.  

6. Make your poster pop with a two-toned title

One of the quickest ways for a designer to upgrade their garage sale poster is to use a two-toned title.

Pick two contrasting colors that pop from the background.  

This approach can instantly make any header eye-catching, as you can see in the poster example above. I

I’m guessing you know that our eyes are drawn to objects that are different from those around them. You can use this inherent trait to grab a reader’s attention rather quickly.

7. Use a consistent page margin width to avoid clutter

Inspirational posters are all about a compelling message that resonates with the reader.

It’s important for the message to be clear.

But in this inspirational poster example, there’s A LOT going on.

Multiple colors, fonts, words, and shapes come together to form a very interesting poster design. And there are hundreds of creative poster ideas out there just like this.

With so much going on, why does it still work so well?

The poster feels professional and organized because the designers used a consistent margin width around the text.

As you go from one line to another, your eye knows exactly where to look.

This is a great way to make the actual text just as compelling as the message. 

So, if you’re thinking about taking a similar approach when making an inspirational poster on your laptop for graphic design or just want a creative look, I recommend using a consistent margin width .

8. Feature a bold color scheme to attract attention

If you haven’t been paying attention, you may have missed that bold colors are a graphic design trend again.

After seeing ultra-minimalist designs dominate the last decade I’ve welcomed colors back with open arms, especially on posters.

In this romantic movie poster , the designers used 8 bold colors to help the design stand out.

I could see this poster on the wall of any dorm or school.

It’s as if t he designers knew they were going to need a ton of bold color to get the attention of those darn millennials and Gen Zs.

9. Pick a creative poster idea that reflects the theme

Making design choices that don’t fit the idea, theme, or topic of your creative poster is a common mistake new designers make.

Heck, it’s a mistake that I made in my early design days.

For example, since Europa is a moon off of Jupiter, it would need a sci-fi or futuristic theme.

A fun font and colorful palette would not have the desired effect. And frankly, it would look out of place on a poster about space.

10. Divide your poster layout in half to contrast “before” and “after”

A common marketing tactic is to show how your customers’ lives are before and after they buy your product.

Think about all the ads that you see on TV that show how your life will be better because of their product (even if they don’t always tell you what their product actually does.)

The same idea can be used while coming up with a creative poster idea.

In this poster example, the page is split in half to show the “before” and “after” effect of being an organ donor.

11. Look for creative ways to incorporate product shots into your poster design

Whoever created this product poster for Nest did an incredible job!

They flawlessly blended a three-dimensional product right into the flat poster design.

And best of all, it doesn’t look overly promotional, or even out of place.

Now, maybe you don’t have a product that can be inserted into a poster so effortlessly like this.

But you can use it as the background image, or even as the main focal point on your poster. All it takes is a little extra creativity, and you will be golden.

12. Upgrade a simple poster with bold shapes and patterns

Never use a raw stock photo. There are too many vague stock photos out there that do nothing to help your marketing collateral stand out.

This is a great rule of thumb when it comes to creating posters that succeed.

Yo u can start with a stock photo as your base, but you should make it your own before anyone sees it.

In this poster from Hami Miharu Matsunaga, they do just that.

All it takes is an eye-catching pattern and some bold colors to instantly turns a nondescript photo into an interesting event poster .

13. Organize your poster into blocks to give it structure

When designing a poster with lots of components, like an event poster with lots of names, sometimes you have more information than you know what to do with.

To help keep your poster design organized, divide the page into “block” sections, like in the concert poster example above.

The clean lines make it easier to scan the poster for important information!

Without these sections, you would be left with a mess of band names, and some annoyed fans.

So follow their lead and make sure you keep things well organized.

14. Use icons to direct the eye to important information

We have already talked about using leading lines to direct the eye in the right direction in a previous example.

Well, this tip is similar: use icons to point to important information.

If the icons you select already look like arrows, like above, then you are made in the shade.

These pointing shapes are called “directional cues”. It doesn’t really matter where you look on this poster, the icons are pointing you towards the center.

15. Create event posters for the day of the event as well

Most event poste rs advertise a certain event for many weeks or months in advance. I mean, almost all of the examples that we have featured in this roundup are like that.

However, you’re going to need posters on the day of the event as well.

For example, this poster would probably be used the day of the event to point out where the actual festivities are.

Others could lists rules, a schedule or something that helps the event attendees out during the day.

So don’t forget to create those kinds of posters before its too late!

16. Include a visual gag or pun, it never hurt anyone

If your creative poster idea can cause an emotional reaction, people are likely going to remember it.

You can achieve a positive reaction by not taking your poster design too seriously.

And secondly, by using a visual pun or gag, like in the informative poster above.

I know I’m going to remember this poster for weeks to come, mainly because it was so punny. I bet you will too.

17. Include a transparent shape to give the poster template depth

If you want to add some depth to your flat poster template , then this example is perfect for you.

The designer gave this poster extra depth by using a simple transparent shape.

With a strong background image and a bold color scheme, this creative poster idea will stand out from the pack.

I think that a solid shape would not have had the same appeal, and instead made the poster flat and nondescript.

But instead, the background image is able to filter through and give the poster some unique texture too.  

18. Blend your topic into your font choices, or create your own

There are no rules out there that say you must use a premade font to bring your creative poster ideas to fruition.

Sometimes you need to create a font from scratch, and with our collection of icons, you can create do just that!

We have already seen how a designer used related icons to create a dolphin from scratch. You can use the same general idea to build your own custom font as well.

For example, in the event poster above , the designer actually uses musical graphics and icons to build an interesting font.

19. Use a solid background shape or border to make text pop

If you want to make text jump off your creative poster, follow the example above.

The designers use solid black blocks to make the title text stand out. It also shows the reader where they should look first, which is always a plus.

Additionally, this tactic can highlight a date, a website, or something important on your poster.

Just be sure to use this trick sparingly, or it loses its effectiveness.

20. Include clever design choices to stand out in this busy world

This creative poster looks like a mess of random shoes, right? Well, it is, from this angle.

But if you take a step back, you can clearly see that the shoes are actually spelling something out.

It’s almost like one of those magic picture books that dominated the 90s.

And this creative poster idea will definitely catch someone’s eye as they are walking by. It may actually cause them to do a double take and come back to it. If that’s not an effective poster, I don’t know what is!

21. Highlight an object that everyone will recognize

Creative posters that reveal their complexity over time will have a lasting impact on your audience.

For example, if you took a quick glance at this poster you would probably see a grail.

This object happens to be what they are searching for in this installment of Indiana Jones. Even the most casual fan, like myself, would recognize that imagery from afar.

But when you take a close look at the rest of the poster, you see the profiles of Indy and his father form the grail.

This a great way to feature various iconic objects that causal, and hardcore, fans will be drawn to.

And it happens to be a famous optical illusion!

22. Include a simple and memorable tagline

In this fast-paced world, you have to get your message out there quickly and efficiently.

That means sometimes the most straightforward posters are best.

For example, this designer created a very interesting poster by saying two things with a single phrase.

They were able to create a very unique and modern poster by keeping things simple.

They could have said both of those things separately on this poster, but the impact wouldn’t be the same. And it wouldn’t have been an interesting poster in the slightest!

23. Create variations of the same poster design

In this section, you’re going to get two creative poster examples, for the price of one!

Well, actually, they are basically the same event posters.

Both posters are a variation of the same design This is a fantastic way to design posters that fit different spaces and environments

The blue one might work best in a bar or coffee shop, but the red one fits a gym perfectly.

Plus, in this case, the posters illustrate the competitive nature of the event perfectly! With one team using a red paddle, and others playing with the blue one.  

24. Don’t be afraid of negative space

You don’t need to cover every single pixel of your graphic to create an interesting or creative poster.

It’s good design practice to leave some when creating graphics to allow your poster to breathe.

Especially if you’re trying to create a flat or minimalist poster, like above. As you can see in this example, the blank space actually helps the text pop off the page.

25. Make handwritten fonts the design focus of your poster

As brands try to become more genuine and lifelike, handwritten fonts are still a trend.

They give each poster and design a bit of whimsy that other fonts don’t really have.

Take a minute to imagine how the example would feel if they used an ultra-modern font. I’m pretty confident that it would look out of place, and not have the same impact.

Especially if it was paired with a quote that can cause an emotional reaction, like in the poster template above.

26. Make sure all the important details are in one spot

Searching for a creative poster for important details, like an event location or time, can be a pain.

If the key information isn’t easy to find, your poster won’t be doing its job effectively.

That’s why I recommend placing pertinent information in the same general area.

Things like the date, a website, or the event location should all be in a single spot. Usually, the header or footer is a safe spot for this info.

In this poster example from AAF Omaha, all of their key info is grouped together.

They use negative space to make the information stand out from the background.

27. Visualize your event schedule or timetable with a timeline

The designer for this poster decided to visualize the event’s schedule directly on the poster by using a timeline template.

They could have included a start and end time, like many other types of posters on this list.

But this makes it easy for readers to know if any events are happening simultaneously.  

28. Let the poster background image influence your design choices 

Most of the time the poster background is, well, kinda fades into the background.

But it doesn’t have to, and can instead be the focal point of your poster.

In the hiring poster above, the background image actually set the tone for the whole poster.

From the font color to the poster structure, and even the way the text is oriented. And it all comes together to create a pretty unique poster.  

29. Elevate your minimalist poster design with accent colors

I think, one of the bigger misconceptions in the design world is that minimalist posters should have no color.

However, minimalist design ideals focus on using the bare essentials to create something beautiful and functional. There’s no more, or no less used, just a perfect balance.

In this minimalist poster example, they do just that, with some accent colors to make it more eye-catching.

This minimalist poster design could’ve been a boring line drawing if they stuck to just one color. But the pops of bold color help make it far more striking.

30. Use an infographic to tell a data-driven story

If you want to include some data or charts on your poster, I would recommend using an infographic as inspiration.

With an infographic, you can use graphs, figures, maps and charts to effectively tell a story. As you can see in the example above, they use all of these graphics in an interesting way.

All of these graphics come together to efficiently explain how Credilogic grew over the past decade.

From the timeline infographic that explains their origin story to the graph that shows their growth over the year, and even the logo history.

If they were wanting to introduce their company to the community with this infographic-like poster, I would say they succeeded.

31. Use a landscape page orientation for a different poster design

As you may have noticed, almost every poster we have featured (and most posters in general) share one thing in common: they are actually all vertically oriented.

If you want to stand out from all of the other posters in the world, try using a horizontal or landscape page orientation.

In the event poster example above, they do just that and it works very well.

32. Feature a single call-to-action on your poster

I’m guessing that if you’re creating a poster, you want a person to take an action after they read it.

In the marketing world, we call that a call-to-action, and you should have one on almost every poster that you create.

This call-to-action could tell people to come to your event at a certain time or ask for a follow on social media.

In the creative poster example above, their call to action tells readers to visit a website for more information about the event. This is a great way to engage with readers on a more interactive platform.

Just remember to only have one call to action, or you risk confusing your audience.

33. Highlight an important piece of information with a contrasting font color

Sometimes all you need to do to grab someone’s attention is highlight a particular word or phrase. This phrase could be something like “Free”, “Act Now” or “50% Off.”

Or, in the case of this creative poster example, the word “Drink.” As you can see, this word is highlighted in a particular font color to make sure it jumps off the poster.

The designers know that people aren’t going to pass up the opportunity for free food and drinks, so they made sure readers can’t miss it.

34. Tell a story with images or icons, not words

It’s a well-known fact that your brain processes images a lot faster than text . And you can use this hack to make your creative poster a guaranteed knockout.

All you need is a few icons or graphics that can tell a quick story, like in the poster example above.

However, try to only use recognizable or simple icons to tell your story. Nothing too technical or out of right field, or your readers will end up confused.

I’m guessing that you were able to decipher that this minimalist poster was for a winter jazz concert pretty quickly. But if not, they added some explanatory text below the icons too.  

35. Improve almost any photograph with a duotone

Duotones hit the graphic design world recently, and it seems to be sticking around for a while.

This style became very popular because it allows a designer to add bold and bright colors to any image.

If you’re looking for a bold poster background, a duotone is perfect, especially when you want to improve a stock photo or keep a consistent color palette throughout the poster.

36. Incorporate unconventional borders for a modern poster design

I would recommend featuring a border on all your minimalist posters, like above. It will help give the most basic poster some much-needed structure.

This border actually helps direct your eye to the important information on the poster. It’s functional and gives the poster a sleek modern look.

37. Change the reader’s perspective, literally

You may need to change perspective if you’re having trouble thinking of a creative poster idea. Start by taking a new look at a very common topic and you will have a ton of great ideas in no time.

In this example from IQ Agency, they take that idea very literally and design a memorable poster.

Almost everyone knows the NYC skyline, that’s not unique. But when they flip the perspective and add some bold, partially obscured text, this poster becomes an instant classic.  

38. Use hand-drawn illustrations to give your poster a playful feel

I’m a big fan of using hand-drawn illustrations for a lot of the same reasons I like hand-drawn fonts.

They both can add a bit of fun and whimsy to any poster. Plus, the icons can make the poster feel a lot more genuine, even if it’s created by a massive corporation.

If hand-drawn illustrations fit your brand , like in the example above, I would definitely use them as well. I can’t think of a better place than Maker Faire, which is filled with quirky creators, to use hand-drawn illustrations!

39. Combine multiple design influences for a truly creative poster idea

Now, I’ll admit that it took me a few viewings to see how amazing this poster is. But after I saw exactly what the designer was trying to say, I was sold.

The inspiration for this poster actually came from both the event, a night market, and the date it was being held on, the 4th Of July.

They then smashed those ideas together to create a killer poster. It has a vintage poster design  feel, with the flag providing structure for the poster and then folding into an old school stall that you could find at the market. It’s perfect!

40. Use related color and shapes to break down a complex schedule

If you’re going to include a lot of info on your creative poster, I would recommend breaking it down into consumable chunks.

The presentation is really up to you and depends on the amount of info you want to share. You can use color, shapes, or borders to keep things organized.

Or you could combine all of those design ideas like they did in the event poster example above.

Instead of just listing their event schedule on a blank piece of paper, the designers used color and shapes to beautifully connect it all.

41. Go ahead and pick an EXTRA bold color palette

We’re going to end this collection with an example that I love. I actually saw this collection of posters a few months ago, and have been waiting to use it in an article.

The extra bold color was what initially caught my eye, and I’m guessing your eye as well.

But my favorite thing about this collection of posters is that you have to view all of them to get the whole story. The bold color and slightly obscured text create a sense of continuity between them.

Overall it’s one of the best creative poster ideas I have seen in a long while.

42. Present text or titles in a unique way

Sometimes to get your message out there, you need to think outside of the box, especially when you’re designing a creative poster.

In this unique poster example, the designer decided to present the event title in an innovative way.

Instead of going the traditional route, they presented the text across multiple lines. Then they used random breaks in the words to form an interesting focal point.

It may take someone a few seconds to read this poser, but it will definitely stick with them long after the fact.

43.  Don’t use the whole canvas for your poster design

Just because you have a large canvas to work with, it doesn’t mean you have to fill it up completely with content.

When you look at any professional poster, you’ll notice the effective use of white space. It’s a simple way to avoid a disorganized look. 

This designer decided to take that idea to heart and included a ton of white space on their poster. As you can see, almost half of the poster is blank! However, this white space helps the main content stand out even more.

Without the open space, I don’t think the ticket theme would have been as interesting as well.

But in this poster example, it almost jumps off the paper to grab your attention.

44. Create multiple versions of your creative poster

I don’t think anyone will argue the fact that most people have different tastes and preferences.

This is particularly true when it comes to design, and art as a whole.

One group of people may love your creative poster idea, but the other may hate it. Now without even meaning to, you have turned off a large portion of your potential audience.

Because of this vast pool of potential readers and their varied tastes, I would recommend creating a few different creative posters.

As you can see in the futuristic poster examples above, they designed 4 different posters for a single event.

This approach will hopefully ensure they appeal to a larger audience than they could with just one distinct poster example.

45. Upgrade a stock photo with flat icons, filters, and borders

One of my biggest design pet peeves is when people insert a stock image onto their graphic s . They don’t even take the time to add icons, borders or a simple color filter!

All of these things could have instantly upgraded the photo and made the graphics unique to their brand!

In this creative poster example, they used a simple border to give the image more structure and draw the eye in.

And then they added a flat pink shape to make the text really pop.

Overall, they created a very engaging poster without using any gimmicks that distract from the message.

46. Add a splash of vivid color to your minimalism

Vivid color palettes are one of the biggest graphic design trends this year.

Massive brands like Apple, Spotify and Google are adding them to their marketing and design arsenal.

You can use these bright colors to add a little something extra to your minimalist poster. In the poster above, the creators used a vivid gradient to catch the eye.

Plus it fits exceptionally well with the simple design used throughout the rest of the poster.

And this approach doesn’t abandon the minimalist ideals of using only what you need to get a point across.

47. Use a simple poster background that can easily be changed

In an attempt to stand out this year, some people will use very complicated poster backgrounds .

Or they might slap a somewhat related stock photo on their poster and call it a day.

Complicated poster backgrounds work for some types of events, but sometimes it’s better to keep it simple.

In this poster example, you can see that they used a simple flat background throughout the poster. As you can see, the information becomes the main focal point of the poster with this approach.

Best of all, with a flat background, you can easily change the color scheme of your poster to fit different situations.

You can also easily reuse the poster template for future events this way.

Using Venngage’s My Brand Kit , all you have to do is click once to add your brand colors to the poster.

With a second click, you can see a swap where the colors appear, like so:

48. Make your text pop with layers and depths

Bold text is one of this year’s biggest graphic design trends because this type of text will jump out and grab your attention.

It also looks amazing o n high-definition screens, so expect to see bold fonts all over your social media feeds this year.

If you want to take bold text to the next level, I recommend following Nike’s lead.

In this poster example, they separated their bold text into different layers and it looks incredible.

A poster example like this will definitely stand above the noise in real life and on social media.

49. Swap a letter with an icon or illustration

I have been a fan of this innovative poster example since the moment I saw it.

From the minimalist design to the patterns, I liked every part of it. Plus it promotes an important and potentially heavy topic in a fun way.

But in my opinion, the replacement of the letter “O” with an icon is the best part of this example.

With this swap, the designer wanted to make sure people knew that voting was a great way to make sure their voice is heard.

This simple design choice will ensure that their message is seen by a ton of people. I think it was a success because almost two years after its publication, people are still sharing this poster on social media.

50. Create a light and dark version of your creative poster

Twitter was one of the first tech giants to add a light and dark mode to their platform.

Now almost all of the big tech companies include it with their app.

They saw that they could improve their user experience by making things a little more flexible.

This is because depending on the situation, a light background is going to make things look better and vice versa.

When designing your poster, I think it’s important to keep that idea in mind. Sometimes your poster will be seen on a dark wall, and other times it will be seen on a bright white social media feed.

As you can see with this example, they created both a light and dark version of the same poster to make sure it looks great anywhere.

51. Use gradient fills in your poster designs

Gradients are a simple way to add a bit of color or excitement to your poster background.

They are now super easy to use with Venngage. All it takes is a single click to add them to your poster.

But in this example, they decided to use gradients in a different way.

Instead of placing a gradient in the background, the designer added it to all of their shapes.

In combination with a simple white background, the gradients add a lot of depth to the simple shapes.

52. Make sure your poster has a call-to-action

If you’re not familiar with marketing lingo, you may not know what a call-to-action is. Simply put, it’s a word or phrase that should inspire a reader to take action.

Most poster examples are going to have at least a simple call to action. Something like:

• Call 124-1424 For More Information
• Buy Tickets @ Tickets.com
• Visit The Community Center Now
• Sign Up Today!

These easy-to-digest phrases are usually the most important part of any poster. Without them, your poster probably won’t be effective because no one will know what you want them to do.

In this hiring poster example, they include a call to action at the bottom of the poster:

If the designer wouldn’t have added that section, the whole poster would have been a waste of time. And the company might be asking themselves why no one had applied to their job.

Well, without a way to get in contact with the company, it’s pretty hard to apply for a job!

53. For event posters, make sure your design matches the event 

One of my biggest pet peeves is when event posters don’t match the event they are promoting.

I find it more puzzling than intriguing when a book event poster looks like it’s promoting a dubstep concert.

Confusing your users from the start isn’t a great way to design a winning poster. So be sure to keep in mind what event you’re promoting throughout the whole design process.

In this retro party poster example, you can see that the design elements match the event perfectly.

From the colors to the patterns and even the main font, this poster looks like it came straight from the 1990s!

I also like that they added a CD icon to really increase the nostalgia.

54. Don’t use a boring background under your color filter 

At this moment in time, there are millions of free images, stock photos and patterns in the world. With even more being added each day!

So why would you use a boring background image or pattern under your color filter? I know I wouldn’t.

Not sure exactly what I’m talking about? Check out this poster example, and you can see how powerful an interesting background image can be:

These flowers add so much color to the minimalist poster, all without distracting from the written content.

This poster is also a great example of a trend called colorful minimalism that I think will dominate 2019!

55. Break your poster into different sections with boxes & borders

There really isn’t a rule for how much information you can include on a poster.

However, you need to make sure that this info is easy to consume, and that the info is actually relevant to the poster and useful to the reader.

One of the easiest ways to keep your poster organized is to use boxes and borders.

Now if you plan to include a ton of different information on your poster, try to emulate this poster example.

The designer actually broke this poster into 7 different sections using just a few lines and borders.

These borders make the poster a lot easier to read and navigate from one point to the next.

Without them, the information would all run together, which is never good!

56. Always use high-quality images on your creative poster

If you’re planning on sharing your poster on social media or printing it out, be sure to use  high-quality images .

In fact, always try to use high-quality images on all your posters. You really never know where they might be shared, or who will see them. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Plus, readers are going to associate the images with your business from the beginning. If you use an odd or low-quality image on your poster, these same people will probably not want to work with your brand.

In this beautiful poster example, they definitely made the right choice with their featured image:

Not only does it fit the theme of the poster, but it will also look clear and professional on any screen.

There’s nothing more frustrating than putting a ton of effort into a poster, and finding out it looks bad on a large screen.

57. Make a creative poster design using icons

If you don’t want to include a photo or image on your poster, an icon collage is a great visual alternative.

I really like icon collages because you can get very specific with what icons you use . Especially because at Venngage, we have thousands of icons at your disposal!

In this sales poster example, the designer used a collection of clothing icons in the collage:

Each icon is different from the next, and it allows the brand to show that they have a ton of clothing on sale. With an image or photo, you might only get to include a few products if you’re lucky.

Plus because you can change the icon color, the collage can be used on other posters or design projects!

You made it to the end of our roundup of creative poster ideas! Great job!

And if you’re looking for a little more info about creating posters I would start here:

• How to Make a Poster in 10 Steps (2024 Poster Design Guide + Templates)
• 22 Event Poster Ideas, Backgrounds & Design Tips
• 21 Essential Human Resources Poster Examples

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• Writing Activities

105 Creative Writing Exercises To Get You Writing Again

You know that feeling when you just don’t feel like writing? Sometimes you can’t even get a word down on paper. It’s the most frustrating thing ever to a writer, especially when you’re working towards a deadline. The good news is that we have a list of 105 creative writing exercises to help you get motivated and start writing again!

What are creative writing exercises?

Creative writing exercises are short writing activities (normally around 10 minutes) designed to get you writing. The goal of these exercises is to give you the motivation to put words onto a blank paper. These words don’t need to be logical or meaningful, neither do they need to be grammatically correct or spelt correctly. The whole idea is to just get you writing something, anything. The end result of these quick creative writing exercises is normally a series of notes, bullet points or ramblings that you can, later on, use as inspiration for a bigger piece of writing such as a story or a poem. 

Good creative writing exercises are short, quick and easy to complete. You shouldn’t need to think too much about your style of writing or how imaginative your notes are. Just write anything that comes to mind, and you’ll be on the road to improving your creative writing skills and beating writer’s block . 

Use the generator below to get a random creative writing exercise idea:

List of 105+ Creative Writing Exercises

Here are over 105 creative writing exercises to give your brain a workout and help those creative juices flow again:

• Set a timer for 60 seconds. Now write down as many words or phrases that come to mind at that moment.
• Pick any colour you like. Now start your sentence with this colour. For example, Orange, the colour of my favourite top. 
• Open a book or dictionary on a random page. Pick a random word. You can close your eyes and slowly move your finger across the page. Now, write a paragraph with this random word in it. You can even use an online dictionary to get random words:

• Create your own alphabet picture book or list. It can be A to Z of animals, food, monsters or anything else you like!
• Using only the sense of smell, describe where you are right now.
• Take a snack break. While eating your snack write down the exact taste of that food. The goal of this creative writing exercise is to make your readers savour this food as well.
• Pick a random object in your room and write a short paragraph from its point of view. For example, how does your pencil feel? What if your lamp had feelings?
• Describe your dream house. Where would you live one day? Is it huge or tiny? 
• Pick two different TV shows, movies or books that you like. Now swap the main character. What if Supergirl was in Twilight? What if SpongeBob SquarePants was in The Flash? Write a short scene using this character swap as inspiration.
• What’s your favourite video game? Write at least 10 tips for playing this game.
• Pick your favourite hobby or sport. Now pretend an alien has just landed on Earth and you need to teach it this hobby or sport. Write at least ten tips on how you would teach this alien.
• Use a random image generator and write a paragraph about the first picture you see.

• Write a letter to your favourite celebrity or character. What inspires you most about them? Can you think of a memorable moment where this person’s life affected yours? We have this helpful guide on writing a letter to your best friend for extra inspiration.
• Write down at least 10 benefits of writing. This can help motivate you and beat writer’s block.
• Complete this sentence in 10 different ways: Patrick waited for the school bus and…
• Pick up a random book from your bookshelf and go to page 9. Find the ninth sentence on that page. Use this sentence as a story starter.
• Create a character profile based on all the traits that you hate. It might help to list down all the traits first and then work on describing the character.
• What is the scariest or most dangerous situation you have ever been in? Why was this situation scary? How did you cope at that moment?
• Pretend that you’re a chat show host and you’re interviewing your favourite celebrity. Write down the script for this conversation.
• Using extreme detail, write down what you have been doing for the past one hour today. Think about your thoughts, feelings and actions during this time.
• Make a list of potential character names for your next story. You can use a fantasy name generator to help you.
• Describe a futuristic setting. What do you think the world would look like in 100 years time?
• Think about a recent argument you had with someone. Would you change anything about it? How would you resolve an argument in the future?
• Describe a fantasy world. What kind of creatures live in this world? What is the climate like? What everyday challenges would a typical citizen of this world face? You can use this fantasy world name generator for inspiration.
• At the flip of a switch, you turn into a dragon. What kind of dragon would you be? Describe your appearance, special abilities, likes and dislikes. You can use a dragon name generator to give yourself a cool dragon name.
• Pick your favourite book or a famous story. Now change the point of view. For example, you could rewrite the fairytale , Cinderella. This time around, Prince Charming could be the main character. What do you think Prince Charming was doing, while Cinderella was cleaning the floors and getting ready for the ball?
• Pick a random writing prompt and use it to write a short story. Check out this collection of over 300 writing prompts for kids to inspire you. 
• Write a shopping list for a famous character in history. Imagine if you were Albert Einstein’s assistant, what kind of things would he shop for on a weekly basis?
• Create a fake advertisement poster for a random object that is near you right now. Your goal is to convince the reader to buy this object from you.
• What is the worst (or most annoying) sound that you can imagine? Describe this sound in great detail, so your reader can understand the pain you feel when hearing this sound.
• What is your favourite song at the moment? Pick one line from this song and describe a moment in your life that relates to this line.
•  You’re hosting an imaginary dinner party at your house. Create a list of people you would invite, and some party invites. Think about the theme of the dinner party, the food you will serve and entertainment for the evening. 
• You are waiting to see your dentist in the waiting room. Write down every thought you are having at this moment in time. 
• Make a list of your greatest fears. Try to think of at least three fears. Now write a short story about a character who is forced to confront one of these fears. 
• Create a ‘Wanted’ poster for a famous villain of your choice. Think about the crimes they have committed, and the reward you will give for having them caught. 
• Imagine you are a journalist for the ‘Imagine Forest Times’ newspaper. Your task is to get an exclusive interview with the most famous villain of all time. Pick a villain of your choice and interview them for your newspaper article. What questions would you ask them, and what would their responses be?
•  In a school playground, you see the school bully hurting a new kid. Write three short stories, one from each perspective in this scenario (The bully, the witness and the kid getting bullied).
• You just won $10 million dollars. What would you spend this money on?
• Pick a random animal, and research at least five interesting facts about this animal. Write a short story centred around one of these interesting facts. 
• Pick a global issue that you are passionate about. This could be climate change, black lives matters, women’s rights etc. Now create a campaign poster for this global issue. 
• Write an acrostic poem about an object near you right now (or even your own name). You could use a poetry idea generator to inspire you.
• Imagine you are the head chef of a 5-star restaurant. Recently the business has slowed down. Your task is to come up with a brand-new menu to excite customers. Watch this video prompt on YouTube to inspire you.
• What is your favourite food of all time? Imagine if this piece of food was alive, what would it say to you?
• If life was one big musical, what would you be singing about right now? Write the lyrics of your song. 
• Create and describe the most ultimate villain of all time. What would their traits be? What would their past look like? Will they have any positive traits?
• Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: Every time I look out of the window, I…
• You have just made it into the local newspaper, but what for? Write down at least five potential newspaper headlines . Here’s an example, Local Boy Survives a Deadly Illness.
• If you were a witch or a wizard, what would your specialist area be and why? You might want to use a Harry Potter name generator or a witch name generator for inspiration.
• What is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday night? Write a short story centred around this activity. 
• Your main character has just received the following items: A highlighter, a red cap, a teddy bear and a fork. What would your character do with these items? Can you write a story using these items? 
• Create a timeline of your own life, from birth to this current moment. Think about the key events in your life, such as birthdays, graduations, weddings and so on. After you have done this, you can pick one key event from your life to write a story about. 
• Think of a famous book or movie you like. Rewrite a scene from this book or movie, where the main character is an outsider. They watch the key events play out, but have no role in the story. What would their actions be? How would they react?
• Three very different characters have just won the lottery. Write a script for each character, as they reveal the big news to their best friend.  
• Write a day in the life story of three different characters. How does each character start their day? What do they do throughout the day? And how does their day end?
•  Write about the worst experience in your life so far. Think about a time when you were most upset or angry and describe it. 
• Imagine you’ve found a time machine in your house. What year would you travel to and why?
• Describe your own superhero. Think about their appearance, special abilities and their superhero name. Will they have a secret identity? Who is their number one enemy?
• What is your favourite country in the world? Research five fun facts about this country and use one to write a short story. 
• Set yourself at least three writing goals. This could be a good way to motivate yourself to write every day. For example, one goal might be to write at least 150 words a day. 
• Create a character description based on the one fact, three fiction rule. Think about one fact or truth about yourself. And then add in three fictional or fantasy elements. For example, your character could be the same age as you in real life, this is your one fact. And the three fictional elements could be they have the ability to fly, talk in over 100 different languages and have green skin. 
• Describe the perfect person. What traits would they have? Think about their appearance, their interests and their dislikes. 
• Keep a daily journal or diary. This is a great way to keep writing every day. There are lots of things you can write about in your journal, such as you can write about the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of your day. Think about anything that inspired you or anything that upset you, or just write anything that comes to mind at the moment. 
• Write a book review or a movie review. If you’re lost for inspiration, just watch a random movie or read any book that you can find. Then write a critical review on it. Think about the best parts of the book/movie and the worst parts. How would you improve the book or movie?
• Write down a conversation between yourself. You can imagine talking to your younger self or future self (i.e. in 10 years’ time). What would you tell them? Are there any lessons you learned or warnings you need to give? Maybe you could talk about what your life is like now and compare it to their life?
• Try writing some quick flash fiction stories . Flash fiction is normally around 500 words long, so try to stay within this limit.
• Write a six-word story about something that happened to you today or yesterday. A six-word story is basically an entire story told in just six words. Take for example: “Another football game ruined by me.” or “A dog’s painting sold for millions.” – Six-word stories are similar to writing newspaper headlines. The goal is to summarise your story in just six words. 
• The most common monsters or creatures used in stories include vampires, werewolves , dragons, the bigfoot, sirens and the loch-ness monster. In a battle of intelligence, who do you think will win and why?
• Think about an important event in your life that has happened so far, such as a birthday or the birth of a new sibling. Now using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique describe this event in great detail. The 5 W’s include: What, Who, Where, Why, When and the 1 H is: How. Ask yourself questions about the event, such as what exactly happened on that day? Who was there? Why was this event important? When and where did it happen? And finally, how did it make you feel?
• Pretend to be someone else. Think about someone important in your life. Now put yourself into their shoes, and write a day in the life story about being them. What do you think they do on a daily basis? What situations would they encounter? How would they feel?
• Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: I remember…
• Write about your dream holiday. Where would you go? Who would you go with? And what kind of activities would you do?
• Which one item in your house do you use the most? Is it the television, computer, mobile phone, the sofa or the microwave? Now write a story of how this item was invented. You might want to do some research online and use these ideas to build up your story. 
• In exactly 100 words, describe your bedroom. Try not to go over or under this word limit.
• Make a top ten list of your favourite animals. Based on this list create your own animal fact file, where you provide fun facts about each animal in your list.
• What is your favourite scene from a book or a movie? Write down this scene. Now rewrite the scene in a different genre, such as horror, comedy, drama etc.
•  Change the main character of a story you recently read into a villain. For example, you could take a popular fairytale such as Jack and the Beanstalk, but this time re-write the story to make Jack the villain of the tale.
• Complete the following sentence in at least 10 different ways: Do you ever wonder…
• What does your name mean? Research the meaning of your own name, or a name that interests you. Then use this as inspiration for your next story. For example, the name ‘Marty’ means “Servant Of Mars, God Of War”. This could make a good concept for a sci-fi story.
• Make a list of three different types of heroes (or main characters) for potential future stories.
• If someone gave you $10 dollars, what would you spend it on and why?
• Describe the world’s most boring character in at least 100 words. 
• What is the biggest problem in the world today, and how can you help fix this issue?
• Create your own travel brochure for your hometown. Think about why tourists might want to visit your hometown. What is your town’s history? What kind of activities can you do? You could even research some interesting facts. 
• Make a list of all your favourite moments or memories in your life. Now pick one to write a short story about.
• Describe the scariest and ugliest monster you can imagine. You could even draw a picture of this monster with your description.
• Write seven haikus, one for each colour of the rainbow. That’s red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. 
• Imagine you are at the supermarket. Write down at least three funny scenarios that could happen to you at the supermarket. Use one for your next short story. 
• Imagine your main character is at home staring at a photograph. Write the saddest scene possible. Your goal is to make your reader cry when reading this scene. 
• What is happiness? In at least 150 words describe the feeling of happiness. You could use examples from your own life of when you felt happy.
• Think of a recent nightmare you had and write down everything you can remember. Use this nightmare as inspiration for your next story.
• Keep a dream journal. Every time you wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning you can quickly jot down things that you remember from your dreams. These notes can then be used as inspiration for a short story. 
• Your main character is having a really bad day. Describe this bad day and the series of events they experience. What’s the worst thing that could happen to your character?
• You find a box on your doorstep. You open this box and see the most amazing thing ever. Describe this amazing thing to your readers.
• Make a list of at least five possible settings or locations for future stories. Remember to describe each setting in detail.
• Think of something new you recently learned. Write this down. Now write a short story where your main character also learns the same thing.
• Describe the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your whole life. Your goal is to amaze your readers with its beauty. 
• Make a list of things that make you happy or cheer you up. Try to think of at least five ideas. Now imagine living in a world where all these things were banned or against the law. Use this as inspiration for your next story.
• Would you rather be rich and alone or poor and very popular? Write a story based on the lives of these two characters. 
• Imagine your main character is a Librarian. Write down at least three dark secrets they might have. Remember, the best secrets are always unexpected.
• There’s a history behind everything. Describe the history of your house. How and when was your house built? Think about the land it was built on and the people that may have lived here long before you.
• Imagine that you are the king or queen of a beautiful kingdom. Describe your kingdom in great detail. What kind of rules would you have? Would you be a kind ruler or an evil ruler of the kingdom?
• Make a wish list of at least three objects you wish you owned right now. Now use these three items in your next story. At least one of them must be the main prop in the story.
• Using nothing but the sense of taste, describe a nice Sunday afternoon at your house. Remember you can’t use your other senses (i.e see, hear, smell or touch) in this description. 
• What’s the worst pain you felt in your life? Describe this pain in great detail, so your readers can also feel it.
• If you were lost on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere, what three must-have things would you pack and why?
• Particpate in online writing challenges or contests. Here at Imagine Forest, we offer daily writing challenges with a new prompt added every day to inspire you. Check out our challenges section in the menu.

Do you have any more fun creative writing exercises to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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15 Creative Retail Display Examples to Increase Foot Traffic and Sales

We all know first impressions matter in the world of retail. Even if you have the finest selection of merchandise in your store, it won't matter if your window display fails to bring in customers.

By contrast, a creative display of your products can make even ordinary items seem valuable in potential shoppers' eyes.

When it comes to the art of retail display, many businesses stick to tried-and-true methods such as slapping an outfit on a mannequin or creating a seasonal window display.

Here, we've gathered some of the most effective creative display ideas out there to help you break out of the ordinary and draw more customers into your store.

1. Consider creating a “theme” for your store

One of the best ways to ensure that your retail display stands out from the competition is to set a “theme,” or cohesive visual language, for your store layout.

By creating a cohesive “feel” throughout your store, you’ll ensure that any item you decide to showcase will feel harmonious with its surroundings, thus enticing your customers to make a purchase.

When deciding on a theme, it’s important to consider what type of retailer you are, as the general look and feel of your store should reflect what you’re selling.

One store whose design certainly stands out is the Nike House of Innovation in Shanghai, which features graphic elements and ultra-modern lighting throughout. Here, the design complements the visual merchandising, showcasing the brand’s high-tech workout gear in the most favorable light.

2. Turn your merchandise into artwork

One way to get people talking about your store is to impress them with art. The good news is that you don’t have to go out and spend much money on bespoke works of art, as many retailers—particularly those that specialize in clothing—can rely on creative store merchandising to grab the attention of their customers.

One great way to ensure that your creative display resonates with your customers is to use your own merchandise as artwork.

Turkish denim company LTB Jeans is a great example, as the brand uses its own selection of denim clothing to create a striking installation.

Click here to discover how your marketing efforts can increase your door traffic and how Dor can help you understand that data and other important metrics on a single screen.

3. Invest in interactive displays

As technology evolves, so does the brick-and-mortar experience.

Nowadays, many stores rely on interactive displays and other digital solutions to help customers shop faster and with greater accuracy. From furniture retailers who use VR headsets to help customers visualize items in their own home to clothing stores that let shoppers peruse digital catalogs, it seems there’s no limit to what technology can do.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Retail Analytics and The Future of Retail (2020)

One brand making full use of interactive displays in its brick-and-mortar shops is adidas . In late 2019, the adidas London flagship store on Oxford Street added a “Hype Wall” digital display on its ground floor where customers can book reminders for upcoming releases via an app, thus encouraging interaction with the brand.

4. Use scent to your advantage

It’s no secret that humans are drawn to pleasant smells, so why not use it to set your store apart from the rest? Just take a cue from cosmetics retailer Lush, whose stores never fail to capture the attention of passers-by thanks to their enticing scent.

Even if you don’t run a fragrance-forward brand like Lush , you can still invest in a dedicated scent for your store to trigger a sensory connection in your customers and increase foot traffic to your store. Just be sure to pick a scent that isn’t too intense—the last thing you’d want is for potential customers to walk out of your store because they found the scent overpowering.

5. Incorporate plants into your store design

Speaking of scents, have you noticed that many department stores have flowers, either in their window display or as part of their store merchandising? Whether real or artificial, fragrant or not, these flowers are included to evoke a connection to nature as well as imbue the store with a cozy ambiance.

If you find that keeping fresh flowers is too much of an investment for your retailer, you can also opt for low-maintenance plants to create the same effect. Take for example Anthropologie ’s new store in Kent, United Kingdom, which incorporates plenty of plants into the shop design.

6. Think outside the box when it comes to product displays

Regardless of the type of retailer you manage, you don’t have to rely on traditional product display elements like prefabricated shelves and clothing racks. Instead, you can try upcycling items—particularly those related to your industry—to create a memorable display that will leave your customers in awe and even potentially increase foot traffic to your store.

Related: 40 Ideas to Boost Retail Foot Traffic and Increase Sales

One way to upcycle items for your retailer is to use things that wouldn’t normally be used, such as logs, pallets, doors, etc. For a dose of inspiration, check out the clothing shop Humanité Boutique in Bryson City, North Carolina, where the owner used shutters to create a one-of-a-kind clothing rack.

7. Drive last-minute purchases with enticing POS displays

It's no secret that customers are especially susceptible to making impulse purchases when waiting in line at the cash register or POS (point of sale), so why not use that information to your advantage? One great way to increase sales is to create a captivating POS display your customers simply can't ignore.

If you're looking for inspiration, check out this customized Milka POS display in Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport, which incorporates the brand's famous cow image and purple color to grab the attention of any chocolate lover passing through the airport.

8. Create an “Instagram-worthy” display wall in your store

With the rise of social media, many retailers are beginning to take note and design their store layout accordingly.

One way to generate more shares and likes is to designate a specific part of your store and get creative: You can use a combination of witty quotes, creative merchandising ideas, or fun lighting and fixtures. The idea is to get people into your store and be unable to resist snapping photos for the 'gram.

Related: 15 Social Media Marketing Tips for Retailers to Increase Sales

Women’s clothing retailer Stylenanda Harajuku ’s flagship store in Tokyo, Japan, includes this highly Instagrammable wall, which reads “Lovely Nanda Club”—a feature that is surely recognizable to the brand's 192,000 IG followers.

9. Get your staff to promote your merchandise

By getting your own staff to wear your merchandise, you kill two birds with one stone: Not only do you get to reinforce your brand identity, but you also have the opportunity to demonstrate these items' everyday use for your customers.

This idea is easiest for clothing retailers to adopt, but it also works for shops that specialize in goods such as jewelry, accessories, footwear, and even wearable technologies.

Related: 9 Proven Tactics to Improve Retail Employee Performance and Sales

One memorable example is Abercrombie & Fitch . Although A&F no longer requires its employees to wear strictly the brand’s own clothing, who can forget the impact their in-store models had on the brand’s success in the early 2000s?

10. Get customers to try the products, too

Most shoppers are accustomed to trying on clothing, but what about other items like household appliances? By allowing your customers to try the product out, you’re giving them an experience that online shopping simply can’t beat.

Tech retailer Samsung recently launched Samsung Experience Stores , like this one at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, NY, where customers can try products before purchasing. These stores also give Samsung employees the chance to increase sales by offering additional products the customers may not have originally thought to purchase.

11. Consider your customers’ walking path

It's common store merchandising knowledge that seasonal displays should always be placed out front, but what about the rest of the store?

One good way to refine the layout of your store is to follow the same path your customers do as they walk around the space. Are the different sections of your store signposted clearly so that they're visible from every angle? Are your best-selling items scattered around the store, or are they all gathered in one place?

Related: 7 Factors That Affect Foot Traffic for Retailers

While you want customers to see as much of your merchandise as possible, it's also important to designate groups or sections so you don't overcrowd any one area of your store.

Furniture giant IKEA is a classic example of how visual merchandising can impact foot traffic in your store: Not only does IKEA place items so there is always something in the customer's line of vision, but the store literally guides the customer through its space with designated paths.

12. Harness the power of cross-merchandising

Cross-merchandising, or displaying products from different categories together, is a time-honored practice for most clothing retailers. Here, mannequins prove to be a great asset, as they help your customers visualize which products go well together. For that reason, clothing retailers are advised not to display a single item on a mannequin but rather to create a full "look".

Of course, it isn't just apparel retailers who utilize cross-merchandising to increase sales. For grocery stores and food retailers, this can take the form of grouping together frequently used products for events such as birthday celebrations or an outdoor barbecue.

13. Find ways to keep customers in your store longer

We humans are easily manipulated: If we see a store with no one in it, we assume it’s because no one wants to shop there. By contrast, seeing more people in a store can evoke FOMO (fear of missing out) in us.

As a retailer, it is in your best interest to keep customers hanging out at your store, as it not only boosts foot traffic but also increases the likelihood that these customers will make additional purchases.

Related: How Small Businesses Can Utilize People Counting Solutions

In September 2019, London-based luxury department store Harvey Nichols opened a beauty and wellness space called “Beauty Harvey Nichols” at its flagship store in Knightsbridge where customers can get pampered with treatments and purchase the products used. Even if you can’t do a dedicated beauty center or café like larger retailers, you can set aside a lounge area for your customers to relax and enjoy some refreshments.

14. Get creative with your storefront

As a retailer, you want to encourage passers-by to walk into your store, whether or not they know the brand.

That's why it's important to pay attention to what's outside of your store as much as what lies inside. Instead of using a regular folding chalkboard sign outside your retailer, get inventive and try something new. Incorporate an eye-catching quote or drawing, or upcycle an unexpected item to serve as your signage. The sky is the limit!

For inspiration, check out this Urban Outfitters shop in Sacramento, CA, which relies on shadows to create the store's logo.

15. Have a place to entertain kids

This tip is great for kid-centric businesses like kids’ bookstores and toy shops, but it works for other retailers, as well.

For many moms, shopping with kids is a stressful affair, and that is the opposite of how you want your customers to feel in your store. By ensuring that the kids are having a good time, you can give mothers a much-needed opportunity to shop freely—which will get them to spend more time and hopefully more money at your store!

One retailer that's been offering activities for kids is Barnes & Noble . At its bookstores, B&N offers Storytime events for kids, free of charge. Even if your store isn't able to accommodate a full section devoted just to kids, you can try offering coloring books and crayons to keep your young visitors occupied.

Hi there! If you liked this post, please feel free to share it on social media to help us reach out to more retailers like you. You can also leave a comment below and let us know if you have any questions!

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