What’s your spark?
As a graphic designer, illustrator, photographer or artist, what inspires you? What’s the spark that gets you going? Faced with a blank canvas, paper, a new Photoshop document, or whatever your medium, what’s behind that initial line, brush mark or click? And, when the spark fails to show up, what do you do?
Personally, when faced with the dreaded creative block, I seek some visual stimulus: I leaf through magazines and books (not necessarily related to the topic of what’s about to be created); I browse the web, and peruse the works of those artists/designers who I admire (perhaps aspire to). It’s a process akin to turning the key in the ignition of a non-too-reliable car. She’ll most likely start-up after a few turns, but if she doesn’t, then perhaps it’s time to take a break. Often times, when I’m completely stumped, a break from actively thinking about the project is the best way forward.
What about you? What lights your fire, gets your creative juices flowing, lights the proverbial Eureka lamp.
Most often, my inspiration comes to me, not at my desk, but away from it. One’s desk is not often the greatest source of creative inspiration ; so I head off to my favourite cafe or mountain top, armed with my trusty note book and pencil and, there, away from the taskmaster, my MacBook, I can relax, and I find that ideas begin to flow - those ideas are scribbled and sketched into my notepad - many of them ending up in completed designs, logos, posters, paintings, etc.
However, everyone’s different, and it’s for everyone to seek out their optimal “inspiration environment” - who knows, for some that might be the bathroom; if that is the case, and you’d like to share with us your bathroom inspired creations, then please omit the gory details.
Here are some of my inspirational resources (feel free to add you own):
Web Design:
CSS Remix, Ajaxian, Daily Dose of Architecture, Healthy Web Design
Blogging:
Google Alerts, Pro Blogger, Blogging Tips, Blog Catalog
Graphic Design/Design:
Core77, Design Observer, Graphic Design Blog
Art/Photography:
devianart
General: Uniquely the Epitome, Logic + Emotion, Laura’s Winning Ideas
I’d like to know what inspires you, so let me know. And why not send me a photo of your “inspiration environment”, whether that be your office, a couch… wherever. Go on, show me yours… [email: support{[AT]}redsil.com
My Office:
Photos submitted by readers:
Carman, HK
17 Comments, Comment or Trackback
Laura Ricci
I find I need deadline pressure to come up with something. Until I convince myself that I’m on deadline, I just can’t seem to make much headway.
Once I’m under that deadline pressure, almost everything inspires.
May 8th, 2007
johno
Thanks Laura. I thought it was interesting that you said it’s the realisation/acceptance that you have a deadline, rather than the deadline per se, that spurs you on. Semantics, or is their something to be gleaned from that?
Do you have a photo of your working environment?
May 8th, 2007
johno
Thanks, Carman for submitting your photo.
May 8th, 2007
Brett Evans
What sparks me is the potential affect I could have on someone once I finish.
May 8th, 2007
Marc
There some great responses above. Brett hit one of my favs. As for the environment itself…I like conceptual thinking however, there is time where imagination isn’t enough. Or it yields a concept that is a little to abstract or removed from my prospect. Recently a lot of my inspiration has been coming from engaging the actually people I’m trying to communicate with. The business, the company, the prospect. Research is critical. I draw a lot from it.
An ivory white tower offers a great deal of conceptual time but my inspiration comes from the knowledge gained first hand and research.
And overall, I think my work is more effective too.
May 8th, 2007
Dawud Miracle
Thanks so much for including me in your list. I’m certianly grateful and moved by being thought of in the same list as those you have there.
What sparks me, in general, is life - I want my designs to be ‘alive.’ But more important to me - I want my designs to meet my client’s business needs first.
May 8th, 2007
johno
Thanks everyone for your insights. Some really interesting points made. Perhaps I can inspire you to send me photos by offering a prize? Suggestions for a prize, please - and, no I can’t quite stretch to a new car or yacht:)
May 8th, 2007
Laura Ricci
An iPhone would do it for me. :giggle:
Seriously, I’m leaving town and my office is a landfill. I think I’ll give myself a task to clean up for a photo when I get back.
May 8th, 2007
johno
I’d love an iPhone too, but in Japan we won’t have them until 2008! Ah, yes, that’s my excuse for not buying you one;)
May 8th, 2007
Tara
Moodboards help me. The act of ripping up magazines and bits of paper seems to help. I also use old fashioned spider diagrams. The best ideas come though when you are not thinking about the project (or don’t think you are)
May 9th, 2007
CozyB
The only good thing to be said about a repetitive job is that when the mind wanders you usually come up with some great ideas, not to mention possible escape plans. Not the most positive method of inspiration but it works for me…
May 9th, 2007
fonzeeeeee
I’m with Marc on this one.
“An ivory white tower offers a great deal of conceptual time but my inspiration comes from the knowledge gained first hand and research.”
But I do love my tower;) I’ll send u a pic when I’ve tidied me desk!
May 9th, 2007
Beth Ellen
I am a person!
I think what inspires me is to capture an image that embodies an aesthetic moment or a little glimpse into nature that often can be overlooked- those fleeting moments, flashes of beauty. I am sure there are other things.
Beth Ellen
May 10th, 2007
David Airey :: Creative Design ::
I’m inspired by the process. Seeing an idea through from initial thought to finished design.
I’m also inspired by the never-ending stairway of knowledge. Even the most gifted designer hasn’t finished learning, which is a concept that spurs me on (not that I’m a gifted designer).
May 10th, 2007
johno
I’m enamoured by the process too.
Thanks for you insights everyone.
May 10th, 2007
julia_ree
As a photographer I like what Beth said. It’s discovering the new, often small, often overlooked things that inspire me. And David’s right, the laerning process is never-ending, and that’s part of the joy of it.
May 10th, 2007
johno
Julia,
thanks. How very true re that learning process; sometimes feels like the more we learn the less we know we know:)
May 19th, 2007
Reply to “What’s your spark?”