How to expand your design explorations? How not to just explore “safe” design options?

Tips from my co-worker Kristina: Be your own creative director.

She used to work in a design agency. After exploring design options, she usually went to her creative director. Her creative director would point out: “You only explored safe options. Push yourself further. Find more inspirations.”

“Now that I’m in a software startup, I don’t have a creative director I can go to.” Said Kristina, “I have to be my own creative director. After I explore some design options, I ask myself, am I playing too safe? What are better ways to do it? That way, I can push myself to go further.”