Breaking free from templates in UX design: How to design beyond the obvious

The author reflects on the modern reliance on design templates, which, while convenient and consistent, may stifle creativity and diminish unique design skills. They argue that overusing templates can lead to a lack of innovation, as designers become more focused on assembling pre-existing components rather than creating original designs. The text suggests methods to reinvigorate creativity, such as setting ambitious goals, reversing conventional patterns, experimenting through play, learning from mistakes, and leveraging AI for inspiration. Techniques like Crazy 8 and Analogous Inspiration are recommended to encourage designers to think outside the box and push the boundaries of traditional design processes. Ultimately, the author advocates for using templates judiciously, as a foundation rather than a limitation, to reclaim creativity and foster innovative design solutions.