Creative Rituals from Our “Women, In Their Own Words” Interviews

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Much as we might wish it to, creativity doesn’t follow a straight line and it certainly doesn’t do our bidding. It drifts, loops, disappears, then returns—sometimes uninvited, sometimes summoned. As designers, our work must balance the evocative with the functional.

We are bound by time—project stages, client requests, meetings with builders and vendors—but we are bidden by beauty.

In this context, inspiration can feel like a mercurial (even disrespectful) guest: generous one day, evasive the next. So, in uncertainty, we rely on ritual. Not because ritual guarantees brilliance but because it fosters the fertile ground upon which creative brilliance may take root and grow.

In our Women, In Their Own Words interviews, we heard again and again how designers turn to ritual not to control creativity but to court it. Rituals are bridges between the mundane and the magical.

They give form to the formless and soften the transition from the external world to the internal one. Rarely grand and infrequently aesthetic, these moments are acts of quiet preparation, even devotion. The beauty of rituals is that they are deeply personal. In their repetition, the deepest parts of us surface.

We hope you find inspiration in what the following women have shared and that you honor their contributions as you seek rituals of your own.

This article was originally published in the Summer issue of DesignDash Magazine.

Exploring The Science Behind Creative Rituals

For designers, creativity is both an inherent personality trait and a skill to be cultivated. As Joseph Campbell once said, “Ritual is…being re-minded of the wisdom of your own life.”

But contrary to the popular image of the creative genius struck by sudden inspiration, real-world creativity is often less about lightning bolts and more about steady, disciplined effort.

In this article for Psychology Today, neuroscientist Shane O’Mara discusses this reality by drawing on insights from Mason Currey’s book Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. Currey’s research reveals that many of history’s most influential artists, writers, and scientists relied on daily rituals to fuel their creative work.

These routines varied widely, but common elements included early rising, dedicated work periods, regular walks, and consistent sleep patterns. For example, Beethoven composed some of his greatest works during long, solitary walks, while novelist Marilynne Robinson credits her “benevolent insomnia” for some of her best writing.

Why Rituals are Effective for Creatives

As neuroscientist Shane O’Mara suggests, rituals help reduce anxiety, offer a sense of control, and create a familiar mental architecture in which creativity can more easily unfold. In the same way that a beloved playlist or a thoughtfully arranged workspace can coax the mind into a state of readiness, rituals are gentle signals to the brain: it’s time to begin.

For designers, this might look like a quiet morning spent flipping through fabric swatches, sketching freely before the day’s demands begin, or revisiting a well-worn mood board. These acts are small, even ordinary, but in their repetition, they become sacred. They reduce the friction of beginning and smooth the edges of resistance. They ease us into rhythm. Into flow.

Over time, these rituals both prepare us for creative work and sustain it.

Creative Rituals from Our “Women, In Their Own Words” Interviews

At DesignDash, we’ve always been drawn to what lives beneath the surface of creative work—the quiet labor, the inner negotiations, the long, uncertain middle between vision and execution. That’s why we created Women, In Their Own Words: a series of first-person reflections from women shaping the design industry with clarity, courage, and creativity.

These conversations aren’t puffed up with accolades or polished for performance. They are honest. They speak to the fullness and duality of our design lives… the early doubts, the slow build of confidence, the rituals that tether us to the work when inspiration flickers.

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Time and again, we have heard how these women return to small, steady practices to stay productive but also to stay connected to themselves, to their spaces, and to the purpose behind what they create.

For this piece, we’ve gathered insights from voices like Jamie Young, Camilla van den Tempel, and others who have spoken openly and generously about their experiences. They remind us that in the quiet repetition of ritual, something essential—something enduring—can take root.

Camilla van den Tempel of & Tempel

“Before starting a project, I close myself off from external distractions and focus on creating internal images. While I naturally observe the spaces I am about to design, I try to imagine what could unfold within them, turning inward rather than seeking external inspiration. I strive to remain unaffected by outside influences, concentrating instead on what would be most suitable in relation to the task at hand.”

Bre Hance of InHance Design + Build

“My best work is as I’m drinking my first-morning coffee, kids are off to school, on my laptop, and in my bed. I’m in peek flow? No distractions and can tap into a deep intuitive state. I do this at the beginning of projects and come up with all the big ideas to send off to my team to develop more.”

Antonia Caicedo, Design Director and VP at JIMECO

“I need to be in the right mindset to start something new. Every time I need to design a new collection, I make sure I get into my ‘do not disturb’ mode so I can focus solely on my creative process. Unplugging a little from my day-to-day tasks really helps.”

April Littmann, Founder & Lead Interior Designer at Neighbor Interiors

“Pray! I always pray for the family we are designing for that we may serve them well and bring the project to life to fulfill the clients’ greatest dreams for their home.”

Sarah Choudhary, Creative Director and Senior Interior Designer at Habitat

“I do have a bit of a ritual before starting any project. I always begin by clearing my workspace completely —physically and mentally. It’s almost like hitting reset. Then I spend a few quiet moments sketching freely, not with any outcome in mind, just letting ideas flow.

It’s my way of tuning in, grounding myself, and creating space for something new to emerge. It may seem simple, but that pause at the beginning helps me approach each project with fresh eyes and an open mind.”

Jamie Young of Jamie Young Co.

“I get in the right headspace, let go of everything else, this usually involves meditation and self-care.”

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.