Tim Marlow, director of the London Design Museum, claims he’s not much of an artist.

His contribution, he says, instead comes from harnessing the talents of designers, artists, and architects, and then serving that to the public. Most often to their delight and surprise.

“I think the thing that drives me most is the idea of engaging different people, and exposing them, or giving them the opportunity, to see things they don’t know they’re interested in.”

Tim’s notes, though, are for his mind and eyes only.

Draw like nobody’s watching

It’s about getting ideas out of the head and down on the page, to free the mind and prevent good ideas from getting lost.

“I’m not an artist who wakes up in the middle of the night and jots down the inspiration for the next work,” he says. “But I do find it’s really important to be able to just make notes when something occurs to you. Once I’ve written it down, there’s a relaxation that it’s there, and then you can start to think more creatively around it.”

Even the clumsiest doodles can lead to something valuable, he believes. The power lies in engaging directly with the creative process to develop an idea further.

“I find bad drawing — in my case — or scribbling, mapping, I find it really important,” he says, “whether it’s a note, the realization of an idea, the working through of an idea, or the reflection afterwards of an idea.”

The power of a shut door

For many creative people, having a creative space is key to creativity. But not for Tim. Even his ordinary office can inspire good work — providing, of course, that you can shut the door.

“It’s interesting that a lot of creative people have very specific places in which they are creative,” he says. “I’ve always needed an office to myself.”

It’s more a meeting space than a creative space, he says. But it’s a room that can be separated from the noise outside when needed.

“I like the idea of physically having a place where you can close the door and think or work on your own.”

Tim’s approach reminds us that your creativity comes from within, not from the room you sit in.