Finding Inspiration in the world around us

Let’s talk inspiration. I’ve seen posts before of people asking how do others come up with design ideas?

I keep a running list in a notebook. If you prefer to use your notes app, that works well too. I write down anything from simple descriptions- “music notes” - to detailed project ideas - “collection: baby animals sitting in a bunch of flowers for Easter, think single line file set with peonies and daisies, chicks, ducks, bunnies, or lambs” so that when I need some ideas, I can flip through and pick what calls out to me.

I try to take inspiration from the day to day things I see. For example, a house on a long drive we do when Mabel won’t nap has zebras. It makes me think of a cute nursery/kids sign about how being unique makes you special. Something about not changing your stripes to fit in, maybe.

That could spiral into a full collection of animals and maintaining your own identity/being proud of being you. Cheetahs, tigers, snakes, giraffes, and more all have distinctive patterns that would work great for a theme about celebrating yourself.

Or maybe I want to go in a different direction and be less playful and a little more serious… since the restaurant we went to last night had faux flowers over the door, making me think of cherry blossom leaves, and since we’re so close to DC, the cherry blossom festival had tons of sights to see and take inspiration from, that’s a great spot to pull inspo from. I could design a name sign file with a branch of flowers stretching across with room for the name underneath. Or I could make an art piece with blossoms or even a landscape of the beautiful sights to see. The concept doesn’t have to only apply to one type of product! It’s so important as a designer to reuse themes, repurpose elements, and save time in your process.

Mabel is currently obsessed with hair bows (even if she’ll only leave them in for a second). So, what about a cute bow pattern? Or I could make something functional and design a macrame wall hanger for her to clip her bows to and hang in her room. I’m thinking an arched rainbow with macrame dangling from the clouds would be adorable, which could then turn into a series of arched boho rainbow style sign backers.

There’s so many ways to take inspiration from the world around us. Where do you find yours?