I was working on some swapyourshop buttons the other day for an AIGA Small Talks presentation and I wanted to share how refreshing it was to sit for an hour and create something with my hands. Yes, making one button at a time over and over got old fast but what it did do was well worth the effort.

1) It got me off the computer. Yes you can create without a computer.

2) The repetition put my body in a machine-like state cranking out buttons while my mind opened up to new and creative ideas. What a great exercise for the brain and it made my work day easier since I came prepared with concepts.

3) Believe it or not, a task like this one can be a great stress reliever. Less stress is good.

4) I made some pretty cool buttons.