Inspiration, Tools, Design
Design Inspo 2024 — 06
Stay alert to find the creative solution. Looking for the right things matters as much as choosing the ones that are relevant to your next project.
“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations.” — Mark Twain
Twain reminds us of the importance of seeing the old in new ways. We're not just thinkers, but explorers and curators of ideas. As we turn that kaleidoscope, curiosity fuels the journey and lets us find new ways of doing things.
Five ways to find better inspiration
Spark your curiosity. The best solutions usually come from curiosity; at other times, from need. Even then, the way you approach the solution can be as creative as your thinking.
Look back. Usually the solution is already out there in another form or shape, and it's the mix of great ideas that brings out the best in yours. Inspiration must not be confused with copying.
Use diverse sources. Inspiration comes from places you can't imagine. Being proactive, awake and focused helps you find it everywhere.
Know when to judge. When gathering inspiration — and in every creative process — there are times to judge and channel, and times to bring in as many related examples and ideas as possible. Don't slow down your creative process by judging too early, and be conscious of when it's time to stop and filter.
Build a creative environment. Is there a better feeling than creative freedom? Once you understand the brief and its constraints, proposing ideas and collaborating with people who want to push the limits is incomparable.
The design landscape is evolving fast, and new tools help us stay ahead. Creative workflows, user experience and visual trends all feed artistic inspiration — and a creative environment where ideas can flourish. Bring them together and you set the stage for design solutions that resonate with current and future trends and, above all, with your users.
This week's inspiration
Here's some of the inspiration I gathered this week for my ongoing projects. I hope you like it — and if you haven't seen it yet, here's my Pinterest board.
Keep reading
Always Look on the 7480C Side of Life
Why Lander Zaro's brand uses Pantone 7480C (#00F08A): the psychology of bright green, how it works on screen and in print, and moodboards to see it in context.
The Essence of Exactness: Choosing the Right Tools for Creative Success
Why the right tools matter for designers and businesses — ergonomics, organisation, reliability, scalability — and how to assess your toolkit, by Lander Zaro.
Try Others' Methods. Create Your Method
How the Pomodoro technique works in six steps, who it helps, and why Lander Zaro built a free focus timer and resource toolset to help you find your own method.