As a designer, I think we all have experienced the hard time of finding new ideas and inspirations. That’s why I’ve chosen to talk about this topic in my presentation at the FOWD conference. In this post, I want to do a recap of my slides – Finding Inspiration From Your Environment. Read on to find out how my work habits and environment influence my design.
Working at Home = Killing Your Creativity
My work habits and environment have a big influence on my work. So, I’m going to talk about my work environment first. Being a freelancer, I get the freedom to work anywhere I want as long as there is internet connection. Most freelancers would prefer to work at home or in a small/shared office. Personally, I find it very boring working at home. To think about it, how can you find new ideas if you are constantly facing your work and computer. Yes, you can browse the web or CSS gallery sites such as Best Web Gallery to find inspiration. But since my work is web design, I prefer to find inspiration offline (this way I can avoid being overly inspired by other websites).
My Office = Starbucks
To keep my creative juices flowing, I like to take my laptop and work out of my home or office. My favorite places are coffee shops such as Starbucks and book stores. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you setup a home office at Starbucks like this photo. I only use a tiny table that is enough room for my laptop.
You may wonder: isn’t that annoying when people bump into you? Actually, I like that sort of distraction. I like to see fresh faces walk in and out. Sometimes I even get inspired by the clothes they wear or the tattoos on their skin. If I need a break or design feedbacks, I will talk to the Starbucks employees or the regular customers. For design feedbacks, I like to ask non-designers because they often give me comments from a different perspective.
I like to see fresh people and things around me, so I don’t go to the same location all the time. I hop around, sometime 2 to 3 different locations in one day.
Book Stores
The other place I like to go to is book stores such as Chapters or Indigo. Book stores are like a massive inspirational depot filled with a wide range of books, magazines, gift products, posters, and print ads. Whenever I have a brain block, I like to walk around the book store and scan the magazines, book covers, and post cards.
Shopping Mall
Shopping center is another inspirational depot. You can get inspired by so many things – from clothing to print ads, from window display to mall decoration, etc. By looking at the fashion design, you can tell what are the current trends. I look at the fashion trends and adapt it in my design. For example, when I was designing Web Designer Wall, I noticed a lot of apparels were designed with floral patterns, so I adapted it into my design.
Art Supply Stores
Although I don’t create traditional art nor need art supply any more, but I go to art supply stores from time to time to check out the craft papers. Below are some nice art papers I found in an art supply store.
Art Galleries
To find new art styles and trends, I visit comtemporary and private art galleries. Sometimes I may even spot inspiring street art while walking on the street in downtown Toronto.
Inspired by Nature
Now I would like to present to you two of my latest illustrations: Abstract Phoenix and Peacock. I will show you where I drew inspiration from and how I incorporated them into my design.
#1: Phoenix Illustration
I started this illustration by drawing a basic shape of the phoenix in an abstract form. As I moved along, I added many elements that you can find in nature: DNA helix, dandelion, tree leave and butterfly wing patterns.
#2: Abstract Peacock
This illustration entitled Abstract Peacock because the main idea was inspired by the peacock’s back and feathers. If you take a closer look at the illustration, you may find elements like: flower petals, rooster feathers, snake tail, and fireworks.
How to Avoid Copying
It happens sometime: You get inspired by something, become too focused on it and ended up creating something that is too similar to the original source. So, how can you avoid being a copycat? I have two techniques which work really well for me:
-
Zoom into the subject and pick up the details.
-
Mix and match different sources.
1. Look Into The Details
For example: let’s say you want to create something that is related to the octopus. You can:
- Zoom in and focus on the tentacles.
- Use the shape of the sucker to form a tentacle.
- Create in abstract form.
- Zoom in further and focus on the suckers.
- Manipulate the sucker in different forms.
- Form a shape with shapes.
- Design a pattern with the shape.
2. Mix and Match
The following example shows how I gathered different design patterns and create my own pattern. I zoom in and find the partial patterns that I like and then put them together to form a new pattern.
Conclusion
Next time you are outside, try to pay more attention to you environment, you may find a lot of interesting things that you can incorporate into your design. I don’t purposely go around to find inspiration. The places I mentioned in this article are part of my life and daily routine. I always have my iPhone or camera handy. Whenever I see something nice, I will take a photo to document it. Hope you find this post useful. Enjoy your life and design more beautiful things!
Millie
nice share, life is the fuel!
Sulcalibur
Great, GREAT article. I can’t express how much I agree with this. Outside influences are the key to original design. One of my main tools for design is the camera on my phone. If I see anything from a pattern on some wallpaper, the colours of a car, a pillow, can of beans. Whatever, I snap it.
Inspiration is everywhere we go, you just have to open your eyes to it.
Matthias König
I always take my iPhone with me when i go outside – the camera is even fast enough (startup and take photos) when you are in a train, car or taxi – really useful!
David Hellmann
Great Post. Interesting tipps. thanks.
Manuel
learning to see is the hardest part.
but nice having a *bucks-office:)
Cyprian
Got inspirite and create smth own. Nice post. I travel a lot and as web designer I find plenty idea from my trips. Now in India :-) Take care!
TIS
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing those :)
Jenny
I know exactly how difficult it is to gain the inspiration for design or writing, when it seems there is nothing around to inspire you. It is refreshing to see how other people gain their ideas from other places. I love the images of zooming into patterns to create something new. Have you ever thought of just doodling? This can create other patterns that can often make interesting backgrounds.
Michal Ráchela
I work at the coffee house too… I can strongly recommend.
Very nice article. I just love this one
Can't speak english
thx nick i got much inspiration**********
Andy Fox
Great post! I often find it hard as working in an office, I don’t feel I have those opportunities doing 9 – 5 so I always try and pick things up going back and fourth from work but I’d love to have a flexibility to go out and sit wherever I like and soak it up.
Emanuela
Your post is poetry. It’s not jus for design, it’s for living.
Toby
First: Great Post.
I’m feeling the same way like you regarding working at home. It is often so boring to sit always in the same room with the same things around you. It does so good to your creativity, when you are out of your office. You can pick up inspiration on every street corner.
Best Regards
Toby
Jeff McKeand
Fabulous. I get bogged down at home as well, and find it incredibly difficult to be creative at times. Good to know everyone struggles with this… I’m sitting at Starbucks right now, and I immediately shifted my eyes around the room looking for inspiration! Great!
Craig
That’s the beauty of being a freelancer isn’t it? Having the time, freedom, flexibility and control to be able to do whatever we need to find that inspiration. Thanks for sharing your FOWD presentation.
Wade Jackman
Excellent post. This is something we all struggle with from time to time. I find the best place to work is a dynamic environment. The frequent changes welcome more inspiration. I like Rittenhouse park, near where I live. Tons of interesting people and its bordered by many beautiful buildings. The wifi reception is not so great though.
Balakumar Muthu
Awesome post:). For design inspiration, I read children magazines, comics and also watch cartoon movies!
Renzo
I personally would not try to go to Starbucks for a place to work, I happen to be a very distracted person… BOOK STORES are a great source for ideas!
Good post.
Andrea Shaw
great post! I totally hear you on working somewhere like Starbucks or a bookstore- I find working from home completely distracting and working in an office completely uninspiring (although necessary at times!) And I love the ideas you gave on finding inspiration from all sorts of random places/things. Good work. :)
Raymond Selda
Now this article got me thinking on buying myself a laptop! hahaha. Very inspirational article Nick. I’ve been looking for this kind of article for a long time now. I’m originally a programmer but I’ve decided to study and learn web design as well. I love your advice on how to avoid copying a design.
Again thank you so much for this one.
Zeb
Book store ! +1
Ritchie
wow! I love the post. Thanks for sharing coz I really don’t pay attention to my surrounding in applying to my field. I’ve never thought about this kind of idea. hehehe :D I only inspire design from anime.
Corinne
Hi :)
Working in coffees has been quite a nightmare for me. In Switzerland we don’t have yet many bars with stable wi-fi connexions so I often lost hours walking from coffee to coffee to find the right one.
Then, you have to get the few places in the bar that have electricity near your table to connect the laptop, which isn’t always easy.
Also, in Switzerland, smoke isn’t prohibited yet in coffees…
And mostly, the people chattering around made my concentration hard to find :) Though I appreciate being able to navigate for fun in coffees, working is pretty hard for me in those conditions!
I feel pretty inspired at home, in my comfort zone. I know I can get myelf a threat, coffee or nap at anytime.
I also often invite friends to work with me, which is the most inspiring to me. Having my friends working around is relaxing and reassuring :)
In Paris, they have natural parks with wi-fi. This is something I would definitely love to try!
Thanks for your article!
Elizabeth K. Barone
I am definitely a journal person, and I enjoy decorating my own journals because store-bought ones are so generic. Recently, when trying to come up with a new design for an already existing website, I turned to a journal I had created in the past. I am using it as my inspiration for a scrapbook-like design, using the same colors and similar objects randomly placed on the pages (such as movie or concert tickets, scraps of artwork, etc).
I like turning to more classic forms of design and art for inspiration, and I’m hoping to further hone my eye for that kind of inspiration. This was a great read, and was definitely helpful. Thanks for sharing your keynotes with us!
Zach
This post may really inspire me to get back to my roots. When I was in school I had that sort of routine. I went to Starbucks or Barnes and Nobles whenever I had designing to do. Nowadays I work for a company, so I’m always designing in an office. It’s so hard to come up with new ideas and it’s definitely not as fun. And it’s also definitely hard to be creative and not copy things because I’m constantly having to try and find inspiration online because I’m confined to the same four walls everyday. I’ve definitely been to the Best Web Gallery more than once.
mokin
Thank you for good tips.
Ricardo Lu
really great!
Thank you!
Chase Campbell
I think another good place is a college campus. I’m well removed from college but have Stanford University close by and will occasionally set up shop there. Very inspiring. Maybe check and see if you have a University near by.
DKumar M.
Nice tips nick…. i like the Starbucks idea….!!
Crazy Xhtml
Yes, i agree with you!!! Need always change working place, because home is boring for working and new ideas!
Maybe need change home sometimes ;) ????
Len Ramirez
Nick,
What I like best about your site is that you keep it real. None of your comments or ideas are outrageous or unobtainable. That’s why I keep coming here for inspiration. Just the open look and feel to your site gives me ideas.
I found museums and landmarks provide me with ideas. I bring a digital camera and take photos of details that I find or see. It helps me become a better photographer as well!
Keep them coming and thanks for sharing!
João Henrique -Designer from Brazil
Thanks!
Kayla
Great post! I created one similar awhile back as a guest blog on SpeckyBoy.com, although you’ve added some interesting details and ideas from what I had laid out. I really love the zooming in idea to focus on the details. I plan to try that out soon.
Jacob Lower
Yeah great idea, but I live in Italy, there’s no free wireless, not even a nice spot where to sit and do your job. :S I think I’d need a trip in north europe at least.. :P
Nice article, as always
deanna
You are a wonderful illustrator. Thank you for sharing you thoughts and insights into your process.
Claire
This is definitely where I’m coming from, great article! :)
Julio
Que bien está este artículo, pero lamentablemente en mi país aún es inseguro cargar mi laptop en lugares públicos je je, pero tomaré en cuenta estos tips.
ps. Eres un gran diseñador xD
Beni Ismail
Wow, I also do the same thing when I looking for inspiration. I just adding one more spot, go see your neighbourhood, backyard, or nature surround you and you will found a lot of little things that can insipre you
alan
hey, i thought the best place to work was at home…
you’re great..
Daniel Eckermann
Great article!
Sandie Sørensen (Denmark)
Great article! You gave me more that i bargained for! :)
Acctually my boyfriend and I havee decided to move to the countryside. We both work in creative areas. He’s grown up in the Big City and he’s affraid, that he will get no inspiration living in the Country…
Do you know of any brilliant dfesigners that live in the country (small cities – I’m talking Denmark so: VERY small cities!)
Do you have any idea to how to keep being inspired in nature-sorrounding all day long…?
Multidesign
Aha… Offline inspiration. Time to get out in the sun. It wont be easy :P
dela
cool!!! i love this post.
gummisig
Brilliant stuff as usual Nick. I think going to a coffee shop to work is a brilliant idea. But I do really enjoy working at home, but it´s sometimes hard to find inspirration there that is true. While browsing the css galleries is great there is a real danger of becoming a copy cat. I ran into trouble in this area a few days ago, I´m almost set on never looking at other web sites again, only use the environment and other sources of inspiration. But I have to keep up with the trends maybe, I dont know though. Might be best to start your own trend. :)
Thanks again.
Razmig Youssef
Well i wont hid it i really liked the way you wrote this article. i always do this i even be inspired by people faces, stuff on the desk, maybe socks drawer :)
keep going
csshook.com
nice stuff and guideline
menu design gallery showcase:
csshook.com/menudesign/
Thanks
aledesign.it
Really nice this post!!! I needed a post like this! ;)
Antoine Olbrechts
Heh, I like the concept ;-)
I often work “outside” with my MacBook Pro on events: I either work on my laptop or meet customers elswhere than an office…
Andy
It’s always nice to see how other people work and find inspiration. Speaking from someone stuck in an office for most of every day it is nice to see some of my fellow designers are out and about. It isn’t a must I don’t think as I can get plenty of inspiration online and in my free time but working in a public place is definitely a nice idea if you can get the opportunity. Of course – the greatest inspiration in the world can be found right here on SM :)
Thanks – keep the posts coming SM
Mike
I just moved into a new 2 bedroom apartment because I needed my own office. Working out of the living room was becoming quite distracting. However, I now understand that the television and the view from the balcony were not necessarily all bad. Having no distractions at all is almost as bad as having too many distractions. I think I’ll take my laptop and work from the pool today!
Krystian
“Next time you are outside, try to pay more attention to you environment …”
I will.
We need changes, our mind needs changes, changes are good. Regards.
Nefesh Bleu
Thanks for this post and even for the last sentence: Enjoy your life and design more beautiful things! I’d liked to print this phrase in some T-shirts. At least, I’d like to do some posters about it.
Thanks again. Great post. Great blog.
Sklep Zoologiczny
Thanks man!
Shekeira Couture Web Design
Thank you so much for this!
Kristina
This is EXACTLY what I needed today. Thank you.
A.D.
Thanks for sharing.
Anyo
Thank you so much for this, it’s always hard to stay fresh and sometimes it’s nice to hear what others do to make the juices flow.
Chris B. Kerndter
Thank you for this article, very inspiring …. now I know what I am missing :-)
Tempe
Thank you very much for sharing your skills. I think the way you get inspired is very useful, and I’ve learned from that.
JohnONolan
Such a great post, all the more reason for me to save up for that Macbook I’ve got my eye on!
Karanpreet
Hi,
Good thing you have shared… 10/10
Everyone’s so inspired including me. There will be a time soon, you will find all the designers in coffee shops, malls, etc working on their lappies. and it will be a virtual office!! Lol. And I can imagine staff chucking all the designers out of their shops.
But meanwhile we can save up electricity, internet cost, space costs, etc. Thanks to The Beautiful malls, coffee shops. AND A BIG THANKS TO YOU FOR GUIDING US TOWARDS THE PATH OF ENDLESS CREATIVITY!!
Bless you!
Antonio
Fantastic tutorial! thanks!!!
vishal
wonderful! you are indeed enjoying your work. you are a master at your work it seems. my problem: i don’t have much of a creative side. but would like to dwell into it if i’m able to inspire myself. thanks for this article. need to visit a mall now! :D
gummisig
I´ve taken this advice to heart today. Here I am working at a local coffee shop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gummisig2/3365529270/
paulo
I never comment here, but now it’s different! THIS ARTICLE IS AWESOME!!!
Thanks for sharing this…
xoxo,
Paulo (brazil) :D
freelance web designer london
wow man, I LOVED This Article. rich of advices, i am freelancer and i am working from home all of the time,
lol
you were right about it , it is a killer.
regards
Robbie
An amazing article dude! Wow! You are a true inspiration to me!
Robbie
Nilou
Thank you for inspiration article
Belinda
Great post!
.. think I’ll head to my local art supply store now.
Thank you.
Shini
This is a great post, I completely agree that one will never get a great, fresh idea if its the wall and computer monitor that’s all they’re facing, Really loved the Look into the Details bit…
APM
Thanks for sharing such an informative article. Would love to see more.
Tracy
Thank you for your sharing. I very agree that in the nature we could found much of the beautiful. But most of time I can’t find the time to go out and the places where I went always a lot of people.
Toni
Very inspiring article! Keep them coming :)
Jerlyn
Thanks for posting this! Now that it’s warmer I can definitely go outside and exploring new places for inspiration.
Thiago Cavalcanti
This is just what I do!
I’ll point my friends who say I’m crazy, for not doing most of my work at home, here!
DweezelJazz
This is a great post, thank you! I found your blog fairly recently – I love your design. :)
Henna
Great post. Next time I will make a new design for my hompage. Your tuturials are so useful for me. :-) Sorry for my bad english. Greetings Henna
kutukutubuku
great post, thanks for sharing!
Ven Francis
This is such a great post. I found it really helpful for beginners who are having a hard time doing a design. True, that artists are having this problem generating some designs because they sometimes found their designs dull and redundant.
I would like to share this community of really talented artist if you allow me. It is called, The Expressionist. Here’s their site http://expressionists.multiply.com
Thank you so much once again Mr NL :) keep the helpful post comming
More power!
Elaine
Excellent advice. I definately spend too much time clicking through the internet trying to find inspiration.
GameAlways
Thanks, this has inspired me :)
Bill
Great post, much more detail than mine from over a year ago. One place I love to go is the library – especially into some of the older books sections.
http://www.southplattewebdesign.com/2008/03/08/finding-inspiration/
I do like the nature idea – I am lucky to live close to the mountains, and while it is difficult, if not impossible to get any Internet there, it makes for some great take aways.
Sam White
I just love when you say “My Office = Starbucks” I wish I could say that someday too :p
shape_tea
Woow! Really great articles! Thanks a lot :)
U guys successfuly read my mind..I’m just looking for some new place to find some inspirations besides that bunch of web/css galleries..hahaha..
well, actually i want to link this articles to my facebook, so my friends will easily find this cool article but there is no fb icon in your ‘add to’ section..could u put that small icon for me? ^o^
Miss Blossom
Great article – I see a lot of designers who are so influenced by the interent it all gets regurgitated over and over again. I get a lot of inspiration from confectionery, lingerie and vintage fabrics and papers and collect old magazines from the 60’s. The local charity store has lots of great stuff too.
Thanks again for making the community richer.
Juanita
Thanks! Nice article. You reminded me to schedule day at cafe where a friend wants me to meet her for lunch too.
sdffsd
dfsdf
Gui Salum
I tried the starbucks thing (although it wasn’t really starbucks since we don’t have starbucks over in my city – Florianópolis – Brazil) and it worked really well. Thank you for the advice!!
Amanda
Awesome post!!!!!
It really inspired me to get more inspiration from the world outside my computer screen… It is so easy to get trapped into running around the same idea’s in your head, and that results in boring work!!!
so thanks for helping to make my work more interesting :)
p.s. love your website, think your a genius!!
Crystal Rose
I get inspiration sometimes from junk mail… I have a folder where I collect random stuff I’ve picked up over the years, sometimes when I’m in need of inspiration I’ll dump out the folder and go from there.
I love my laptop and I do the same as you when I work from home sometimes I just have to leave to get some work done. I don’t like the coffee at Starbucks but sometime I go there to get some work done or a Tim Horton’s too. Also I find it helps me that I’ve got my office arranged that the window is right behind my screen and I can watch everything going on on my street.
Tyler Thompson
The best inspiration I have ever gotten for web design has come from things that have absolutely no relation to the medium. Nature, traditional print design principals and 40-70’s advertising. Great post, thanks.
Andrew Philpott
Great post. These tips should be really handy. I totally know what you mean about how working at home can hamper creativity. Luckily, there’s a great design agency pretty close by my house that lets me work there when I need to.
Charlotte
Great post, got some new ideas to try out next time the inspiration well runs dry!
Krzysztof
awesome article, great tips&tricks, really inspirational and valuable website!!
I found your “wall” few days ago surfing and seeking for some CSS tips.
I can tell right now – I’m going to stop buy regularly, greetings from Poland :)
arslion
awesome..i’ll love these.
ismy
Rejuvinating..
Looking at your websites and all the tute and post really inspired me to do web design, cheers :D
Beth
Only trouble for getting web design inspiration is getting outdoors in Glasgow! It’s pretty much raining all the time here. On the plus side we have tons of arts related shops and a fantastic art college. If only there were time to do all of it…
Sopheak
Hi, Greate post with fancy inspiration I never seen. Thanks
Noha
this is sooo true , I’m inspired now :)
thanks a lot
SOS Media Web Design
Right now I live in Boulder and there are so many great coffee shops and tea shops here, all bristling with creative energy. I typically make a round of 2 or 3 places per day. Plus, there is a spice shop called Savory which imports the most amazing spices from all over the world. I wander through and smell the amazing aromas of 5 different types of cinnamon or 8 different paprikas, and soon my creative mind is reset and ready for some more web design.
ishlah
i’m very like this article… i’ve inspirated by you… thanks ^_^v
gamin
Nice. As a new to web designing and graphic design, i really had a hard time coming up with a great concept for my design concept. I hope I could read more on improving designs for beginners like me.
Neslihan
Thank you very much.. I came across this post when I was really feeling stuck in my design.. It was right time to read it. I sometimes overwhelmed. My design starts getting all the same.. Thank you very much your great tips..
Bartollah
I really enjoy your website, tutorials and inspiration. I have been designing for over 15 years now and started freelancing 3 years ago. I started renting office space last July just to get out of the house. Your coffee shop solution is an interesting one I will have to try. How do you find the time to do your work and also share all this great content? What does a typical day look like for you? YOU are an inspiration. Thanks!
Jurgen
Love you website and work! Thanks for making the internet a better place!
Nu3l
Inspiring! I just started my freelance for the past 3 months and just recently had the worst design block (so far). Glad I read this now, you’re a lifesaver, thanks. :)
Alain Boudreau
Hi, I want to share my inspiration tips too. I find many idea in movies, all kind of movies. Another place where I find inspiration is my friends! Yes most of my ideas come from a share of opinions and concept. Talk about your work, share and don’t forget to listen. Of course, like in everything keep what you like, don’t about the rest, but keep it in mind as it can always serve you in an other project. I hope this help!
Kevin
Thanks, I needed that.
It’s nice too see what other web designers get inspired from.
Looking at web galleries can get overwhelming.
This summer’s number one expense…laptop to go outside the house with.
BORABORA
Great article, great inspiration.
Thanks!
RaphaelDDL
Geez. I find myself in a inspiration block for around a month.
After my last work, i cannot think of anything good enough to my next work.. And this is frustration.. Playing a game, go to mall, hand around with friends. go out with my gf, nothing that usually inspired me is working anymore… Because i get inspired when i get excited with something.. So, i got excited with the PSP i bought. And studying ways to make a custom theme, i got an inspiration from dot hack game and then, i made a very nice theme, almost perfect to the original.. I know that’s only copycat.. But i got excited and could make something i though i wasn’t capable of. Same with my last website layout. (If anyone want to check it out and give me feedback, its http://www.gsms.com.br/gsm2/ nvm the language :P)
But right now this block is making me stressed and this blocks even more the creativity… With this article, i’ll try notice things around me that i never notice and maybe, get a lil’ more inspiration do try design something good as you always do.
Thanks for this post Nick.
om ipit
perfect article…
really…
Crop
perfect article…
really…
Roynaldo
Thats good ide, thanks for inspire me. sometimes i,ll try the same way.
thats great!
joão
ahaha, love the “My Office = Starbucks” section.. thanks for the article, sometimes I really need to read this kind of things to reactivate my brain ;)
victoria.lee
nice job ! im glad this website is really helped. i need that for my assignment, thanks for inspire me alot. it really good information ! keep that up hard more:)
Vim
Nice post, nice website, I too find it difficult to find inspiration, i try to look for inspiration on other websites, however at the moment I’ve been looking at books. I do agree with your post, but some web designers are in offices, do you have suggestions of getting inspiration within a workplace?
Catan
ahh inspiration, what is an artist without an inspiration, I think we can get inspiration anywhere we go, just let’s it flow…
AlfredN
Hehe, I should probably take in account some of these as I find myself often in the likes of home designing or programming. Certainly great tips, will keep these in mind when thinking about working.
Lil' Peekr
Super awesome post! Thanks…
:-D
brietta
thanks for posting such a great article…it reminded me to pay attention to the smaller details, and to try and identify what specific elements of things are the ones that draw me to something…
something I read once said that a good way to train your mind to be able to critique your own work, as well as others, is to practice using all the proper words associated with design/art elements (balance, contrast, proximity, etc, etc). That way your brain will get used to breaking an image into it’s component parts, and you will become better at identifying what exact detail you either like or dislike instead of just thinking ‘hmmmm, something just isn’t quite right…..’
anyway, thanks again for sharing your ideas and helping to inspire.
Anna
This is very informative, but I can be inspiried anywhere, even at home. I just need my laptop and lots of quite time. Excellent post again, Anna :)
Rudi
Nice tips man, actually im always wanna do that thing, find an idea in some interesting places. Mmmm and ill waiting for your next tips
don
Wonderful way to get inspiration, for sure is a great way for this difficult thing
shag
I personally love reading my History of Graphic Design text book for inspiration. There’s about 2 pages of web design in the whole book but I find so much more valuable inspiration from the classic designers. Good design transcends the media it’s created in. It also forces me to look for obscure elements that might not easily lend themselves to website design.
Web Design Quote
Great job, i loved it. I’ll be looking things in a different way next time I’m out. :)
Thanks for posting.
Keep up the good work.
The Graduate
Very very cool post, it gives me reassurance that competent designers can get “designers block” every now and then, I cant tell you the amount of time I’ve needed to look at my surroundings and other things to get inspiration and though to myself “Man I must be a crap designer!”
This page shall be recommended to all of my designer friends, Cheers!
Adam Davis
Great post…I guess I need to upgrade my laptop now.
AddictDownload
Thanks! awesome post but What about to smoke some weed?
Micah
Starbucks? How about a local coffee shop instead. They’re not nearly as bland, tend to be much more creative, and you support the local business scene instead of the global corporate scene.
anistock
honest and open article, we all find inspiration in different ways, I knew a guy who got inspiration from looking in a fridge
photo retouching
Great post but you wont see me dead in a starbucks. Money hungry slave drivers, I suffer for the employees whenever I see them. I do agree on the bookshop though, wall to wall inspiration and ideas!
KAMAL
Great Post!!!
Finding new ideas and inspirations form environment.
It’s a good idea.
Thanks.
web design studio
I find most of my inspiration in the bathroom. I think most of my best work came from the toilet…Seriously.
Great post thank you. Very helpful man.
rodrigo
adorei o post muito interessante e construtivo faço a maior parte de tudo isso menos pela seção de estar saindo toda hora atrás de inspiração mas contudo que comentou aqui será muito bem usado agradeço pela atenção valeu
Julianna
As a budding designer, I think looking at other designers, agency work and artists helps a lot. One of my favourite designers is Identity Withheld . I also love the surrealist and collage movement. My aim isn’t to copy or take away key elements of their work at all. I’m just interested in their use of colour and how they use type etc. Sometimes, that inspires me to be bolder in my designs and to push the boundaries a bit more. Also, seeing a kick ass design fuels me to make one of my own and to step my game up.
Just me!
This is one of the best post I have seen ever. This will open the eyes of a lot of people like me. As a designer I used the same technique but not with so much detail. I have to add Thanks for share this with the world.
Graphic Design Melbourne
Great post & awesome tips.
One of the things I tend to do when I come across a mental blank is that I just leave it be. In the past I used to push myself to come up with some ideas, not wanting to fail I guess or let myself down. But I have learnt the hard way that creativity comes and goes. Otherwise you will end up with a design that looks very forced and jeopardises the design’s integrity.
So my tip is, if it doesn’t come to you now; it will eventually… when the time is right.
T2081 Indonesian
awesome post, its true i thought as my self who sometime met bore situation and i prefer to smoke some weed and get liquor if stuck of idea,and your ideas are great to find inspiration very very two thumbs up…thx
Alex Peterson
Super post. I find the best place for inspiration is simply away from my screen. I’d recommend anyone to just get away and do something completely random – see an exhibition, sit in the park, appreciate some architecture or visit a landmark. Spend some quality time with one’s own thoughts and relax. When you get back to your keyboard you’ll be brimming with new and exciting ideas. Works everytime!
hope
good talking!
Sam Ng
Great thoughts…. I need to make a change!
João Henrique -Designer from Brazil
Nice!
João Henrique -Designer from Brazil
Very cool!
Dani
I think that this is one of the best web sites to enjoy the design into the life, or the life into design ;) good job and greetings from Spain
Nasarik
Liked the article alot, inspiring yourself is sometimes the hardest part of the job.
I find that it isn’t things that inspire me, it’s people, what they say and the perpectives they have can sometimes be the best inspiration.
francisa
coool
Murid Rahhal
Getting inspired when you are not working on a project can be very difficult. You see thousands of objects everyday and you don’t really pay much attention to them. When you start on a new project, you’re back to square one. My suggestion is: Whenever you have a new project, take you’re camera and go out, especially in the places indicated in this great article, and don’t LOOK for inspiration, let it come to you… when you see something that can be useful for your current project, take pictures. Then go home, put all the pictures you took around your screen, and start working!
pixelfusion
this is awesome!
actually it makes me wanna go out of the office and walk straight into the next coffee shop right now!
thank you! :-D
Dai Hoang
Thank you for advicing to how to get inspiration.i have same several ideas with you.
Follow me in addition,According to felling of each other to get it..,ideas derived from new thinking,knowgled,practice,experience,constanly refresh yourself…..
Hope my artice is useful to all of you,thank you for reading.
Adeel Raza
Great post! Most if it is true, especially the nature! My personal favourite place to get design inspiration is Inspire Mix.
cennet
Thanks Thanks What’s the problem here? Google could bury the meager profit number from even the biggest media conglomerates.
cennetevi
these are awesome!
thanks for putting in the effort to get this list together
cennetevi
Thank =)=)=) you http://www.cennet.gen.tr webdesignerwall Thanks
cool fashion
Inspiring yourself is sometimes the hardest part of the job. Thanks
bagsin
Inspiration will come after hard work.
mae
you rock!
ur designs are so cool n so orig.
panel radyatör
oh my god i will cry i am baby i have never seen this
Mike
Great post! Most if it is true, especially the nature!
Yarra
Great ideas
time to have a cup of coffee outside…
kenny
Oh no!! the coffee place, you’re one of those coffee place people, and you’re trying to drag everyone down with you…..
rex
you give me a lesson!thanks!
Kate
Really great insight. Especially where you talk about how to re-see inspirational pieces so that you don’t copy. And I agree, I think we buy too much into the idea that work happens in one place, a studio, an office, or any set workplace. It truly is good to go outside and be in the world. I also find inspiration in science magazines and National Geographic.
panel radyatör
nice tutorial i will translate
Saiful Amri
I agree with you, inpirations are outside :D
vincentdresses
喜欢你们的设计与技术，常来看看
zonguldak halı yıkama
wonderful article
bursa psikolog
perfect article tahnks
mallory
thank you, this article really helped me with my “inspiration block”
great article!!!
Web Design
Very interesting read…great ideas to get creative juices flowing thanks
web design
Super awesome post! Thanks…
Tina Liu
Hey I love this website! Everything is so useful! Can you write about how you got started to become a web developer? What school did you go to, which courses did you take etc?
ashley
please could i print one of your images ona tee not for sale but may want to later
kleinkeks
so true. design doesn’t start in front of my desk, it’s right out there! sometimes i find myself starring at people or collecting cool stuff from the floor in trains. :) that’s what i love about design, it’s just everywhere.
dan
i really was impressed by the 2 designs with peacock and Pheonix.This is art!
Melvins
Wonderful tips. You have shared always creative things and it’s good for us. Thanks for it.
Los Angeles Web Design
Henry Peise
As iphone 4 white 3GS has something of non-update to the iPhone range, but there are finally decent alternatives in the smartphone market, with the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S leading the Android fight right to Apple’s door.
Juno Mindoes
People die for iphone 4 white is understandable, isn’t it? The reason is quite simple, We all want to be differnt!
Ben
Hey this is a great post. I’m going to email this to my buddies.
Doubter Thomas
GIVE ME A JOB!! Some thing’s happen ahead of times. like before you find a job you go through a process, I am learning about family history, so I start buying beads, looking a quilts- going to the flee market and storing up on tobacco pipes.
That’s when I’m not stuck using an oversized-INHALER scuba looking oxygen tank, and talking through my Tracie who’s under the bridge to terabethia.
let me help you partner
http://cattleeathay.blogspot.com/
joanna
Hello, I have searched the internet for inspirations and ideas, and so i have come across your website. I am currently studying at college and i would just love to say how creative you are and how much it has inspired me to be more motivated in my college work. As you have showed some of your methods to your work, this has inspired me more to explore more of my surrounds, i live in a small town with only so much to adventure. but today reading your website you have in a way encouraged me to know my career pathway, thank you :)
sheen
amazing work
Pujianto
many many thanks…
how stupid I am by wasting my time and my power (always work late at night)..
this short tips make me feel fresh again…
hmm how stupid I am…
anyway thanks a lot… it really shorten my time
(sorry for english, its not my native language, even I’m not using google translate :) )
Yvonne Poo Schwartz
I’m so surprise! This is exactly my creative process and maybe is just how Graphic Designers think but I founded so curious. I have never known someone describing my exact same places and ways to get inspiration from. I feel like I must be doing something right then!
alex
Great post! Bookmarked this one
complex41
And then he handed you the thirty-five 45
shemaletube
Great article. I just cannot go along through everything, but you actually include some fascinating views.
meenu
Great article and tutorials I found on this blog. I do some what you explained here. But still I found it useful. Here further I will improve my observation skills to come out with new designs like you.
Aarthi
It is really helping me..thank you soo much..
Lisa Noble
Great article. You have given me a new way to look at things for inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing. I can see ways that I can add more creativity to what I do.
Marc Volker Dickmann
You give me good ideas thanks a lot.
ps. Im also a freelancer webdesigner :)
eddy sarwono
this is relly helpfull.. keren banget bang.. (indonesian language).
Maggie Rombs
Hey not to go off topic but can anyone give me overview of. New York Car Insurance Reform 295 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007 (646) 351-0824 They can be down the block with me. I was wondering if they were a good insurance agency. I need to find coverage, it is regulations you know, but I have to have a good price price plus I want friendly service.
Carla@Online Employment
I often leave my home and engage with others to get some fresh ideas for my work at home site. I definitely can relate when you stated that working at home is killing your creativity.
Rico
Starbucks is my main hideout spot as well. I found this information very useful.
masturbatk
http://rrivia.blog.com – I apologise, but, in my opinion, you are not right. I am assurde. I suggest it to discuss.
Sue
This is amazing! Thanks for the insightful tips on finding inspiration. The example pictures are great. You’ve inspired me to take pictures at stores and places I go to for design ideas.
Tracey Schmieder
Thanks for a very informative blog. What else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information.
Will Parsons
Great tips and inspiration to keep things fresh, especially with avoiding copying! I also agree that from home kills creativity. I’m so used to doing anything BUT work from home, so the disciplinary aspect is difficult.
Hendra Permana
Nice share, thanks for your many inspiration…
DymoLabels
hi
i really like your thoughts
thank you for sharing your thoughts