Where do you Find Inspiration?

[Jessie]

You sit down with your mug brimming with a cup of steaming joe. The computer lights up and it hits you: You have absolutely no idea where to go next with the huge project you have to present to a client in 24 hours.

Where or how do you find inspiration when you need it the most?

Answers may be featured in an upcoming HOW newsletter. Thanks!

[LaurenMarie]

I like to turn to my Communication Arts Design Annuals (is it ok to mention that in a HOW forum?? o.O ).
 
There are lots of places online to look, but more often than not those get me DIScouraged and overwhelmed with too much info and many times they are only visually impressive but not well designed (more art than anything).
 
It's really helpful to just start sketching ideas, simple thumbnails or look back at thumbnails or comps I've done for other projects. I always keep them in a notebook. If I really can't think of what to do, I'll start by copying the layouts of what others have done, then change it slightly, change it some more and again. That usually gets the ball rolling for me.
 
It's also helpful to discuss ideas with friends and collegues, even if they aren't designers. Tumbling ideas around in my head while at the gym works, too, but maybe not so much if the deadline is really tight.

[crystalink]

For me under a deadline I do best. The pressure gets me to focus and just start 'doing'.
 
I find that my best ideas are those when I force myself to sit down and focus on the project at hand. By doing this the ideas seem to be squeezed to the surface. A blank page does nothing for me - I need something to work with and go from there.

[Bri]

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I find that inspiration comes from the world at large.
I do like to flip through *** trade pubs, for ideas-or watch commercials, look at books or things related to the industry I am designing for. I have to be the target audience for a while.
Then I let the ideas settle, ferment. I wait. I drive home. I have a long drive, 25 miles on a small road that winds up the mountain side. I live on a mountain, work in the valley. The drive gives me time to think, without thinking to hard. I drive through woods. So there is a lot of color, green in the spring and summer, red and yellow in the fall, and purple (from the sunset through the trees) in the winter. Everything is quiet and still, so there is less distraction, and yet so much to notice.
So most of my best ideas come on my way home from work, or maybe to work, if I have had enough caffeine by the time I get in the car. . .

oh yes, and caffeine is a vital part of my process. must have caffeine.

[Graphics4u]

Hey Jessie, just don't confine yourself while finding inspiration. Don't make yourself browse the net according to your project only. Let yourself check anything that comes across, I am sure anything will inspire you. I believe, this world is filled up with inspirations, you jus need to keep your eyes open

[BStone38]

Random words and/or song lyrics, plus new music.
Really great lyricists usually "paint" a picture in their storytelling which often inspire and take me down varying thought paths.
I'll pick certain words or phrases and see how I can relate them to a specific project. If the concept is complete and I'm just stuck on a layout solution, than I'll resort to a modular grid.

[coradesigns]

My father gave this piece of advice to me once and I have followed it ever since: keep a small notebook and a pen wherever you go. As you go around your everyday, you will see things, people, and places that will spark your interest or tickle your imagination. Write or draw them down. Sometimes, during the day, you will also have random bursts of ideas -- ideas that may seemingly be useless for now but still, write or draw them down.

Whenever I feel a little low on the creative level, I open this notebook of mine and browse through the contents. Who knows, maybe a line or illustration I made a few weeks ago may spark an idea now! Believe me, it's like stocking your refrigerator with *** knick knacks because hey, you never know when the stomach will demand for a particular midnight snack.

[Graphix]

These are all great places to draw inspiration from. I like to use other artistic sources, some are designed to help give me visual ideas while others are great for sparking my imagination. Here are some that i try to use constantly, some work better than others depending on the day.

Blogs - The many different blogs related to graphic design or not give me both visual and mental inspiration. This is a great way to find out what works for others and gives me a fresh perspective.

Books - Since I work from home, I can often take a break if I'm not being productive and come back with a clean slate. Books provide me with a way to jumpstart my brain and feed off of the creative ideas of others.

Magazines - These don't always have the best content, but the photographs and illustrations really highlight the importance of choosing the right graphics.

Forums - Forums like this one allow me to connect with peers and get advice on topics that I have difficulty with. There are some brilliant minds who regularly visit forums, and I am able to use their advice to help me with my work.

Art - Duh. As a designer I look at the works of other graphic designers as well as more famous artists as my main source of artistic inspiration. Seeing what the pros are doing is one of the best ways to fine tune your own work.

Music - Music helps me with my day to day work, but it can also provide a source of inspiration when least expected. Something about having tunes on helps to relax and expand my creative palette.

Friends/Peers - That's what they are there for right? If I'm in an artistic rut, simply talking to a co-worker or friend about it gives me an outside perspective and can help introduce ideas that I'd never considered.

Outdoors - If I find myself stifled for ideas, a short walk may help give perspective and clear my mind long enough for new ideas to enter. Something about being outside in nature sparks inspiration and creates positive energy.

Hope these help!

[Graphix]

That is one that I forgot. Family. Nice add. I come from an artistic family so it's pretty basic, but families do have the ability to spark inspiration simply by being there.

[Graphix]

i just think about running train, wont stop in black tunnel because it`s obvious, Sight of light after every black tunnel and it`s inspired me alot whenever i stuck, i just imagine myself as running train, run for hope of light

This is a good analogy. We all get lost at times (often very lost) and it can be difficult to push forward and look ahead. Lack of inspiration is just one of the demons that can help convince us to quit, but there is always a light.