What Are Unconventional Sources of Inspiration?
In the realm of visual creativity, unexpected muses can spark transformative ideas. We've gathered insights from CEOs and Art Directors, exploring sources of inspiration ranging from big paper brainstorming to the novel use of AI. Here are eight unique perspectives that have fueled breakthroughs in their artistic endeavors.
- Embrace Big Paper Brainstorming
- Inspiration from Childlike Imagination
- Study Nature's Patterns for Design
- Find Vibrancy in Produce Sections
- Draw Insight from Music and Doodles
- Editorial Print Design Influences Web Work
- Art Exhibits Inspire Web Design
- Create Originality with AI and New Avenues
Embrace Big Paper Brainstorming
My creative partner and I engage in a practice we affectionately call "Big Paper Day." We lay out the largest sheet of paper we can find, covering as much of the table as possible, and grab an array of colorful markers. Setting aside our computers, we dedicate the day to scribbling down all our big ideas and creative sparks. This manual method of brainstorming stimulates our thinking in unique ways, and by the end of the session, the paper is alive with vivid notes and sketches. We abide by one rule: no idea is too minor or extravagant; all thoughts are welcome. It's all about generating ideas without the pressure of immediate solutions. Even if an idea isn't perfect, it often leads to other insights, making every contribution worthwhile.
Inspiration from Childlike Imagination
The most unconventional inspiration for me came while watching my 4-year-old niece play make-believe one afternoon. Kids have an uncanny ability to be fully immersed in a fantasy world, and their creativity is unbounded.
I noticed while she played, she wasn't worried about the logistics or if her ideas were realistic. She just went with the flow of her imagination. This inspired me to stop overthinking campaigns and trust my intuition as a creative. I applied this mindset to an animated video campaign for a client.
Rather than getting bogged down in how technically difficult something might be to animate, I focused on coming up with an engaging storyboard. The end result was a fun, memorable video that resonated with the target audience. By tapping into a childlike sense of imaginative play, the solution seemed to unfold effortlessly. Letting go of constraints opened up new possibilities.
Ever since, I've tried to approach each new campaign with the unencumbered creativity of a child. The results have been some of our most innovative work.
Study Nature's Patterns for Design
One unconventional source of inspiration that led to a breakthrough in my work was studying the natural patterns and colors found in the Swedish forests, particularly at a specific place in Sweden close to where my parents live. There's no electricity there, so it's completely silent and calm. Observing the organic forms of the moss and the blueberry and lingonberry bushes, and translating their complexity, movement, and patterns into my designs not only enhanced the visual appeal of my work but also brought a sense of depth and natural flow that resonated deeply with my audience for a specific project. By integrating these elements, I was able to create compositions that felt both innovative and timeless.
Find Vibrancy in Produce Sections
When I'm looking for creative inspiration, one unconventional go-to place for me is the grocery store's produce section. There are so many natural, earthy, and sometimes shockingly vibrant colors there. From tropical fruits like mangoes, pomegranates, and dragon fruit to the rainbow of turnips and beets, there's always a feast for your eyes. In addition to the yummy sights, I can also feed my other senses of touch, taste, and smell, so it's always a place that makes me feel creatively replenished.
Draw Insight from Music and Doodles
It's hard at times to pinpoint isolated sources of inspiration, unconventional or not, since we are always impacted by our environments—both consciously and subconsciously. However, there are avenues of input that I have intentionally placed myself in to orient my mind and creative outputs.
Music is an easy one that comes to mind—whether it is motivation from the notes themselves, or further, noticing the textures or space in certain songs that provide insight into a visual application.
One of my favorite sources of inspiration comes from my kids' drawings and doodles—the complete lack of fear to create, experiment, and share is magical.
Editorial Print Design Influences Web Work
As a web designer, I love to use editorial print design to inspire me for web work. It's easy to get into a flow of grids because that's the fastest path when it comes to dev work. But pixel-perfect print design is so fun to pull into web design and push the boundaries of what's expected.
Art Exhibits Inspire Web Design
As a web designer, I find inspiration in surprising places. One breakthrough came while browsing an art exhibit. The use of negative space and minimalism in a series of modern paintings sparked an idea.
I adapted this concept to web design by incorporating more white space and simplifying page layouts. The result was cleaner, more user-friendly websites that emphasized important content. Clients loved the modern, uncluttered style.
A big lesson I've learned is to step away from the screen. Experiencing art, music, nature, or another culture can reveal fresh perspectives that translate to web design. The next game-changing idea could be waiting in the most unexpected place. Keep your eyes open and let inspiration strike.
Create Originality with AI and New Avenues
One unconventional source of inspiration that has led to a breakthrough in my work is tuning out the noise and embracing new avenues. Here's why this works for me.
I'm an event designer, so I often need visual inspiration for my clients to understand the concept. As often as possible, I try to avoid using images from other events and instead use inspiration images from other industries to convey my vision. I've unfollowed everyone in the same line of business as me because I can't afford to be influenced by their work or thoughts. I need to be fully within my own mind and creativity to create my best work.
I've started experimenting with AI for this very reason. I want to create my own inspiration images instead of relying on what's already out there. How else can you create something completely new? By stepping away from the usual sources and creating my own visuals, I can come up with more innovative and original designs. So, being open to embracing new technology and looking beyond my industry has been a game-changer for me.
