Prince’s secret to creative flow

Prince wasn’t just a musician — he was an architect of sound. Every time he walked into the studio, he built something new.

He didn’t wait for inspiration, he showed up ready to create, every single day. Watching Susan Rogers talk about his creative process shows me just how intentional he was.

Everything he touched had a purpose, every layer of his music could stand alone. And those same principles? They’re something any artist or designer can learn from.

Let’s break it down.

#1 Start with purpose

Think about it like this: every time you start a project, you have a choice. You can either float through it or you can set a real intention.

Prince didn’t just pick up a guitar and noodle around — he knew what he wanted to get out of every session.

You’ve got to do the same. Before you dive into your work, pause. What do you want to explore? What’s the story you’re trying to tell, even if it’s just for yourself?

It doesn’t matter if it’s a sketch, opening up your design software, or setting up your materials.

Do something small to get your creativity moving. That first move is about engaging your mind, getting yourself ready for what comes next.

And trust me, it’s not about being perfect right away. It’s about setting the tone for what’s possible.

#2 Show up every day

Prince put in the work. Every. Single. Day.

And that’s what separates him from so many others. It’s not always about working all night or trying to be a perfectionist.

It’s about showing up, no matter how you feel, and doing the work. It could be an hour, it could be five, but that consistency? That’s where the magic happens.

Some days, it’s going to feel easy. Other days, it’s going to feel like nothing’s coming together. But that’s all part of it.

Every time you sit down and create, even on the tough days, you’re building something.

You’re stacking up those small wins, and before you know it, those small wins become the bigger ones.

#3 Jumpstart your day

Prince would hit the studio and jump right into it — no hesitation. You can do the same thing.

When you start your day, just dive in. Don’t wait for inspiration to tap you on the shoulder.

Start with something quick — a sketch, testing out some new colors, playing around with ideas. It doesn’t have to be deep; it’s about getting the gears moving.

It’s less about what you create in those first few minutes and more about getting into that creative headspace.

Once you’ve got the ball rolling, the rest of the day will open up for bigger, bolder ideas. You’ve just got to start.

#4 Build your work piece by piece

Think of your work like a song. Prince didn’t record everything in one take.

He built songs in layers — each instrument, each note, added with care. That’s how you should approach your art. Start with the foundation — whether that’s the layout, the composition, or the color palette.

Once you’ve got that solid base, you can layer in the details, the textures, the small touches that make it special.

Each part of your design, your painting, your project — should be strong enough to stand on its own.

If someone stripped everything else away, could that one element still hold its own weight? That’s how you know you’ve created something powerful.

#5 Let every element hold its own

Prince made sure every sound in his music mattered. His bass lines? They could’ve been the hook of the song.

His melodies? Just as strong solo as they were layered into the track.

You should approach your art the same way. Whether it’s the color choices, the shapes you’re using, or the typography — each element should have a voice.

If you’re working on a poster, ask yourself: if this were only the text, would it still make an impact?

If the design were only the colors, would it still tell a story? When every piece of your work has purpose, the whole becomes something even more impactful.

#6 Experiment, and don’t hold back

Here’s the thing: Prince didn’t play by the rules, and neither should you. He wasn’t afraid to blend genres, try new sounds, or completely flip the script.

That’s where growth happens.

It’s the same with design and art. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Mix mediums, combine ideas that don’t typically go together. Go bold with it.

It doesn’t have to work out every time.

The point is, when you push yourself into unknown territory, you’ll discover things you didn’t even know were possible. That’s how breakthroughs happen. You’ve got to take those creative risks.

#7 Collaboration is powerful

Even though Prince was a genius, he still valued the people he worked with.

He wasn’t just handing out orders — he wanted to hear what they thought. That’s a big lesson. You don’t create in a vacuum.

Share your work with others, get feedback, collaborate with people who inspire you. Fresh eyes can give you new perspectives you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

When you bring in other voices, it’s not just about making your work better. It’s about learning, growing, and building something that’s even more innovative.

So, don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for input, and let that energy influence what you’re making.

#8 Make space for your own freedom

Prince didn’t care about what was commercially safe — he created from his soul. Sometimes you have to do the same.

Sure, there’s always work you have to do for clients, commissions, or deadlines, but don’t let that stop you from carving out time for your own stuff.

Make space for personal projects that are just for you. Projects where you get to experiment, fail, succeed, and figure out what you really want to say with your art.

That’s where the real growth happens. It’s where you’ll find your voice, and when you look back, those are the pieces that will matter the most.

Build your creative legacy

Creative genius isn’t about having some magical moment where everything clicks.

It’s built over time, through consistency, through showing up, through trying new things, and pushing yourself. That’s what Prince did. That’s what you can do, too.

The more you create, the more you grow. And your work? It’s not just about that one piece or that one project.

It’s about the body of work you’re building every time you pick up your pen, brush, or tablet. So, keep going. Keep creating.

Keep stacking those wins, and before you know it, you’ll look back and see the legacy you’ve built.

And if you want to dive deeper into Prince’s genius, check out this conversation with his longtime engineer, Susan Rogers: Watch the full video here.

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–Jason