These days, there are a number of creativity-boosting tools to help employees overcome everything from writers block to a lack of design inspiration. From high-tech services to low-tech products, there are inspiring options for nearly every type of workplace.
For employers looking to use technology to boost creative thinking, apps are the perfect solution. For instance, Adonit's Forge design app provides a digital platform for different employees to collaborate on the same project in real time. There are also more personalized apps that help professionals make decisions about variables such as typography and color scheme.
On the other hand, there are a number of low-tech solutions that can be just as useful for brainstorming sessions. More specifically, flashcards have become a popular creativity-boosting tool among professionals. Flashcards are ideal because they can be used to communicate design concepts, generate ideas or simply visualize different details.
18 Creativity-Boosting Tools
From Inspirational Typographic Apps to Idea-Generating Flashcards:
Katherine Pendrill — Jun 16, 2016 — Art & Design
18
Creativity-Encouraging Boxes
The Adobe Kickbox Jumpstarts Employees' Next Big Idea
17
Instantly Customized Sneakers
Vans Customs Uses a Machine to Create Personalized Sneakers
16
DIY Jewelry Kits
The Bijou Factory's Kits Help to Create Custom Necklaces, Bracelets and More
15
DIY Skincare Kits
Feed Your Skin! is a Skin Care Kit That Allows You to Customize Your Own Lotion
14
Creativity-Boosting Workbooks
The 'iDraw Sketchbooks' Help Combat Writer's Block
13
Idea-Generating Cards
Triggers by Alejandro Masferrer Helps Stoke Creative Genius
12
Typographic Matchmaking Guides
Guy Kawasaki's Font Pairing Tips and Tricks Helps Beautify Designs
11
Inspirational Typographic Apps
The Fontspiration Font App Enables You to Create Your Own Typefaces
10
Typography Enthusiast Apps
FontYou is a Convenient Destination for Designers and Typeface Lovers
9
Creativity-Boosting Flashcards
These Visual Cards Can Be Used to Communicate Design Ideas
8
Imaginative Doodle Books
This Book is Full of Random Objects Like a Doily to Spark Creative Ideas
7
Female Leader Coloring Books
The Coloring Pages for Adults Celebrate Hillary Clinton and Khaleesi
6
DIY Foosball Table Kits
Seedling's Sporty Toy Encourages Hands-On and Creative Play
5
Creative Collaboration Apps
Adonit's Forge Design App is Optimized for Visual Thinking in Groups
4
Creativity-Boosting Services
This Program Helps Writers and Bloggers Create Article Outlines
3
Typographical Coding Apps
The 'Typeshift' App Allows Designers to Test Out Website Text
2
Customizable Meatless Grounds
Tofurky's DIY Pasture-Raised Plants Inspire Creative Meals
1
Surrounding Color-Capturing Apps
The Colordot Pulls Palette Shades From the User's Environment
Related Ideas
Powerful Note-Taking Tools
Flexy Note Helps Boost Online Productivity
Typographic Matchmaking Games
Monotype's Font Connection Game Platfully Finds 'Your Type'
Social Post-Catered Editing Platforms
Adobe Express Rolls Out the Text to Template Function
SEO Article Writing Tools
Byword Writes and Posts SEO-Rich Content to Your Site
AI Writing Tools
WriteGo.ai Helps Students and Writers Reach Their Full Potential
No-Code Drawing Design Tools
Hatch Draw Targets Artists, Creators, and Tech Enthusiasts
Productive Desk Accessory Concepts
The Yazak Concept Helps Manage Productivity At Night
AI Video Generators
Canva Turns Text Prompts into AI Talking Heads
AI Tattoo Generators
This AI Tool Enhances Creativity and Self-Expression With Body Art
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Sticker-Creating Social Tools
Instagram Releases a New Sticker Creation Feature for Creators
Vocabulary-Expanding Flashcard Tools
LanguageBeast Uses Flashcards to Help Users Master English
Creative Text-to-Infographic Tools
Infography Converts Blog Posts to Artistic Infographics
Minimal Desk Accessories Concepts
The DESKRISK Series Organizes the Working Space
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
AI-Powered Learning Features
Quizlet's AI-Powered Tools Transform Student Learning
Platform-Generating AI Tools
Sutro Debuts a New AI-Powered App Designer for Web, iOS, and Android
AI-Powered Brainstorming Tools
Ayoa Helps Users Brainstorm With Artificial Intelligence
AI Study Tools
Conch AI Helps Users Write and Study Faster Than Before
AI Art Tools
Muse Pro Let's iPad Users Enhance Their Paint and Design Projects
AI Note-Taking Apps
PowerNotes Remembers The Things you're Likely to Forget
Daily Motivation Apps
'Motivation' is an Empowering App Helping People Make the Most of Their Days
Text Transformation Tools
The Stylish Font Generator Adds Style and Creativity to Text
AI-Powered Creative Digital Assistants
Adobe Express Presents a New Creative Assistant Tool
AI-Powered Fintech Tools
Square Introduces Ten New Generative AI Features for Content Creation
Simple Time Management Apps
Cubicle Uses the Pomodoro Technique to Help You Stay Focused
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Collaborative AI Mindmapping Tools
'EdrawMind' is a Free Tool for Outlining Brand Decisions
AI-Powered Language Learning Apps
The 'Fluento' App Helps Users Gain Confident Speaking Abilities
Social Professional Productivity Apps
The 'LikeMind' App Connects Users to Other Hustlers
AI Self-Improvement Apps
LeapLife Uses Journaling and Other Features to Reduce Stress
AI-Powered Productivity Apps
The 'BeforeSunset' App Helps with Planning and Time Management
Bright Tonal Modern Offices
Roar Studio Designs the New Sleek Office for Sprinklr
Speech-to-Text Tools
Voxio Can Create Formatted text From Your Thoughts in Minutes
English Vocabulary Games
WPuzzle Helps People Enhance Their Language Skills in an Engaging Way
Reshaping Premium Imaging Tools
Adobe Presents the Structure Reference Tool for Firefly
Raw Thought Organization Apps
The 'Memosa' App Turns Ideas and Rambling into Organized Text
AI-Powered Content Creation Tools
Notega is a Solution for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
AI-Fueled Digital Art Apps
The Drawww App Integrates Artificial Intelligent Technology
AI-Enabled Design Suites
Canva Launches the Magic Studio Suite for AI-Powered Design Purposes
Swipable Curated Ad Inspiration
Swipify Lets Users Swipe Through the Latest Ad Campaigns
PDF-to-Flashcard Generators
PDF2Anki Makes Studying a Breeze
AI-Powered Content Creation Tool
Kajabi Teams Up with Adobe Express to Introduce Creator Studio
Creativity-Promoting AI Tools
Desenio Has Introduced the Empowerning 'Imaginator Ai Creator'
Stress Reduction Finance Apps
The 'MoneyCoach' App Takes the Anxiety Out of Money Management
Private App-Based Journals
Apple Launches a New Journal App for iPhone Users to Positively Reflect
AI Art Generators
Google's Imagen 2 Boasts Professional Creativity
Inclusive Productivity Apps
The 'Deepwrk' Body Doubling Platform is for Adults with ADHD
Ad-Enhancing Feedback Tools
Google Ads Launches the 'Creative Guidance' Campaign Tool for YouTube
Play-Inspiring Workshops
LEGO is Sharing a Free Workshop Series Featuring Renowned Creatives
AI-Powered Design Apps
Adobe Launches an AI-Powered Mobile App Called Adobe Express
All-in-One AI Creator Tools
Capitol AI Helps Content Creators from Start to Finish
AI-Scaling Developing Tools
Adobe Introduces the Firefly Services to Aid Developers
Science-Based Habit Apps
Addicted-Habits Provides Invaluable Support to Help Users Achieve Goals
Whimsical Bright Creative Workspaces
Publicis Groupe's New Workspace is in New York's SoHo
Motivational Push-Up Apps
Pushup Quest Makes Push-Ups More Engaging
Visual Poetry Creation Tools
Poetique Boasts a Library of 80,000 Images to Complement Your Words
Thought-Provoking Social Apps
Skaldic is an App for Curious Minds
Startup Name Generators
FindName Suggests Countless Ideas to Help Name Your New Business
Professional Drawing Tablet Apps
Astropad Slate Transforms the iPad into a Drawing Tablet
AI-Powered Academic Writing Tools
Quillword Helps Produce More Research-Focused Writing
Inspiring Productivity Apps
Every Day Matters with Timeline - 17 and Its Unique Features
Sketch-to-Art AI Tools
Sketch to Logo Uses AI To Bring Your Vision to Life
All-in-One Productivity Apps
Evo Brands Itself as 'The Everything App'
AI Talk-to-Text Collaboration Tools
Brainstory Transforms Thoughts into a Written Document
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Gamified Budgeting Apps
Bread Budgeting Makes Budgeting Fun By Integrating Challenges
Joy-Infused Writing Support
InkJot is an App That Adds More Fun to the Writing Process
Mini Musical Productivity Ads
Slack's The Big Meeting Takes on a Musical Number
Creator Economy Tool Directories
Creator Economy Tools Offer Over 1,000 Resources
Text-to-Image AI Apps
The Bonkers App Quickly Creates Images using AI
AI-Fuelled Mobile Design Apps
Adobe Launches its Express Mobile App for Design On-the-Go
AI Design Assistants
Ideatum.ai Transform Text Prompts into Stunning Designs
Chat-Style To-Do Apps
The 'Qept' App Lets Users DM Tasks to Themselves
AI Note-Organizing Apps
Taped.ai Organizes Messy Notes into Organized Documents
AI Interior Design Decorators
RoomGenius Can Help You Redecorate in Minutes
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
Digitized Note-Taking Apps
FlowNote Turns Note-Taking Into an Art
Burnout-Preventing Toolkits
The Upward Spiral Playbook Offers Strategies to Navigate Challenges
Personal Productivity Planners
PlanPlume Increases Work-Life Balance Through Personalized Planning
Daily Motivational Quotes
QuoteBuzz Uplifts with Positive Reinforcement Aligned to Their Goals
Digital Brainstorming Tools
Card Buddy Serves as an Online Space to Visualize Ideas and Thoughts
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
AI Breath Work Apps
Breath Confetti Uses AI To Help Calm the Mind
Colour Palette-Capturing Apps
Colors Capture Pro Turns Surroundings Into Palettes for Projects
AI-Powered Educational Suites
Canva Debuts the 'Classroom Magic' Tool for Busy Educators
Customizable Flashcard Apps
Memoru is a Go-To Learning Tool to Help Users Memorize Subjects
Typing Skill Enhancer
TypeTest Increases One's Typing Accuracy and Speed for All Levels
Photo-Organizing Apps
Journeys Simplifies the Process of Organizing One's Photos
Note-Taking Therapy Apps
Therapeze is a Note-Taking App for Therapy Clients
Personal Goal-Setting Apps
Fred Breaks Down Goals Into Actionable Steps
Streamlined Job Application Tools
Flash Apply Saves Candidates Time and Energy
Creativity-Supporting Art Apps
The 'Blank' App Uses AI to Create Custom Art Based on Prompts
Digital Distraction Barriers
WallHabit Will Block Digital Distraction and Promote Focus
Vocabulary Trainer Applications
TurboTerms Streamlines the Process of Studying Vocabulary
AI-Boosted Enterprise Tools
The 'Innovation Assistant' Assists Ideation and Implementation
Streamlined Creative Work Apps
Nvidia Develops an All-in-one App with a Sleek Interface
Custom AI Charades
This App Can Generate Fun Categories and Ideas Within Minutes
Visual Email Newsletters
PencilBooth is a Newsletter That Prioritizes Images Over Text
AI-Driven Post-Meeting Tools
Retroideas.ai Suggests Retrospective Topics to Boost Meetings
Content Repurposing Tools
This Tools Allows Users to Reimagine Materials Across Various Platforms
Smart Life-Planning Apps
Last Plannr is More Than a Traditional To-Do List
Centralized AI Workplace Searches
Findr Helps Users Search Through All Their Apps at Once
Efficient Content Management Systems
Brain Mimic Turns Your Thoughts into Text in One Click
All-in-One Habit Tracking Tools
HabitFlow is Designed To Help Users Improve Their Life
Layout-Enhancing Copywriter Tools
Copyframe Helps Writers Present Their Work to Clients
Written-to-Digital To-Do Lists
Papper Let's Users Scan and Digitize Handwritten Notes and Lists
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Efficient Micro Habit Apps
Micro Habits Breaks Goals into Smaller Steps
Speech-to-Text Notes Apps
Talk2Note Uses AI To Effortlessly Transform Thoughts to Text
Font Preview Tools
JustGoogleFont Helps Web Developers Visualize the Finished Product
Phone Puzzle Games
Word Search Game Offers Mental Stimulation with Word-Based Challenges
Mindful Focused Work Sessions
Moosti Uses the Pomodoro Technique to Help Users Achieve Focus
Motivational Goal-Tracking Apps
Disciplined Helps Users Track Their Progress and Stay Motivated
All-in-One Song Writing Apps
Bunder Uses AI to Bring All-Things Song Writing into One Place
Thought-Organizing AI Assistants
Sort My Thoughts Helps Users Stay Organized
Instant Flashcard Study Tools
Studyy Converts Written Text to Flashcards Instantly
Screen-Limiting Phone Apps
Takebreak Encourages People to Have a Better Work-Life Balance
Text Management Tools
Text Board is a Snippet Manager With Intuitive Organization
HR Productivity Tools
Notion for People & Hiring Offers a Tailored Approach to HR and Hiring
Engaging Language Flashcards
Karteto Makes Learning a New Language Fun Through Repetition
Personalized AI Productivity Platforms
The 'MindOS' Personal AI Automates Everyday Tasks
Employee Engagement Tools
Triibe Offers Interactive Newsfeed, Polls, Surveys, and More
Online Collaborative Tools
Professionals Can Share and Assign Tasks with Beep! 2.0
Personalized Visual Catalogues
With Jotly, users can streamline their online discoveries
Daily-Prompting Social Journals
Journal. Invites Users to Share Their Thoughts and Feelings
Thought-to-Text Tools
AudioPen Turns Rambles Into Clear Text
Font-Personalizing Website Tools
Fontonic Let's Users Customize Any Website's Font
Efficient Fact Generators
Facts Generator Can Produce Interesting Facts About Any Subject
Productivity-Enhancing Apps
FlowFinitee Provides Valuable Insights to Increase Your Productivity
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
No-Network Dependent Browsing Tools
Google Unveils the More Helpful Suggestions Feature
Refreshing Productivity Apps
With Tres Cosas, Users Focus on Three Main Tasks a Day
Office Recognition Tools
Recognizeapp.com Can Be Seamlessly Integrated to Slack
Celebratory Workplace Recognition Tools
Worklife Helps Employees Recognize One Another
Musical Productivity Apps
FocusBeats Plays Music For 25 Minutes of Work and a 5 Minute Break
Improv Scene Generators
Instant Improv Suggestions Bolsters Creativity for Performers
Streamlined Decision-Making Platforms
Wunderboards Aims to Adds Simplicity and Creativity to Work
Adorable Goal-Setting Apps
CanGoal Keeps Users Engaged With Cute Characters
Connective Altruistic Apps
Heart 2 Help Uses Tech Can to Foster Positive Relationships