Your "Scouting List" for Cool Ideas!
A 5 minute read. Prefer to listen? Click below to listen to the audio version.
Where to Find Inspiration
Download the companion guide HERE.
Inspiration is the foundation of all creative work. BUT – you can’t wait for inspiration to find you. You must get out and look for it!
While inspiration can come from those “expected” sources like fashion and art magazines or Pinterest, some of the richest, most original ideas come from unusual and often surprising places. You see, inspiration isn’t about simply finding a new idea. It’s about layering your personal observations, emotions, and experiences onto those ideas.
Today, I’m going to share some refreshing places to find inspiration and, more importantly, how to make that inspiration work for you. Let’s jump into some of my favorite places to find creative ideas for my art, fabric designs and clothing designs & details.
Where to Look:
- Architecture and Urban Landscapes
- What: Urban settings, buildings, and architectural features.
- Why: Architecture offers striking lines, proportions, and patterns that can translate into design elements in home decor and garment construction.
- How: Take a walk in your city or browse architectural magazines; look at elements like window shapes, staircases, or even city planning maps. Sketch out the silhouettes or use them as guides for garment structure and design elements. For instance, a Gothic arch could inspire neckline details or structural lines on a pillow.
- Nature’s Palette
- What: The colors, patterns, and textures found in nature.
- Why: Nature’s diversity provides an endless array of color schemes, textures, and patterns, all balanced in ways that just “work.”
- How: Take photos during walks or visits to parks or forests. Let seasonal colors influence fabric choices or use natural textures to guide your selection of materials. The layered petals of a flower could inspire ruffles, while ocean waves could suggest draped, flowing fabrics.
- Travel and Culture
- What: Cultures, traditional clothing, and design motifs from other places.
- Why: Different regions of the world offer unique approaches to color, pattern, and craftsmanship, which can add depth and richness to your work.
- How: Study elements of traditional clothing (without direct imitation to avoid appropriation) or the colors and patterns typical to different regions. For example, a Moroccan tile pattern might inspire fabric designs or fabric blocking. Use the essence of a place, rather than exact duplication, like a color palette from Greece’s blue and white coastlines.
- Fashion History and Iconic Eras
- What: Historical fashion trends or styles from past eras.
- Why: History offers a foundation and teaches us that some design ideas are timeless, giving modern designs a sense of familiarity while still being fresh.
- How: Pick an era that resonates with you and explore its cuts, colors, and patterns. For example, the clean lines of 1960s mod fashion might inspire a modern collection with color-blocked designs. Look at how historical designers solved design challenges, then adapt those solutions with a modern twist.
- Abstract and Visual Art
- What: Abstract paintings, sculpture, or mixed media art.
- Why: Abstract art encourages new ways of looking at shapes, forms, and colors that may push you outside traditional design thinking.
- How: Visit art galleries or look up famous abstract artists online. Choose elements from the artwork, such as a unique color blend, line movement, or texture, to guide your designs. For example, a soft color gradient in a painting could inspire a dyeing technique or color placement.
- Storytelling and Literature
- What: Books, poetry, mythology, and storytelling.
- Why: Literature allows designers to tap into powerful emotions and ideas, creating a style that tells a story or evokes a feeling.
- How: Choose a story or theme, then consider how to bring that narrative into your designs. This is all about the visuals you create in your mind when reading these pieces. For instance, use the rugged spirit of adventure novels to inspire an outdoor-inspired collection, or let romance novels guide a flowy, ethereal line of styles.
- Everyday Objects
- What: Household items, furniture, even small trinkets.
- Why: Everyday items are often designed for function, yet they also have aesthetic value. Looking at the design of things around us reveals interesting shapes and patterns.
- How: Pay attention to the shapes and lines in objects like vases, furniture legs, or kitchen gadgets. Try incorporating these shapes into design elements; a rounded teapot shape could inspire a gentle, rounded hemline, while the angles of a lamp could translate into bold, geometric patterns.
- Mood and Emotions
- What: Feelings, personal experiences, and emotions.
- Why: Our emotions are often deeply tied to our creative expression, and by embracing them, we can bring more depth and personal touch to our work.
- How: Reflect on an emotion or experience and think about how to visually represent it in your designs. A feeling of peace might translate to calm colors and soft fabrics, while energy and excitement could inspire bold patterns and bright colors.
- Music and Dance
- What: Rhythms, melodies, and movements in music and dance.
- Why: Music and dance often evoke feelings and stories, and their rhythm can inspire the flow and structure of a garment.
- How: Listen to music or watch dance performances, and let the rhythm and tempo inspire the flow and lines of your designs. A lively salsa might inspire a brightly colored, flowing style, while classical music could lend itself to a more structured, refined silhouette.
What’s Next
Inspiration is all around if you keep your mind open and stay observant. The key to making inspiration work is by actively engaging with it and then translating it into action. I encourage you to choose one “where” idea from the list and try it out. Challenge yourself to discover inspiration in unexpected places, knowing that each piece you create can be as unique and multi-layered as the influences behind it.
To get started, keep a journal or mood board (physical or digital) to capture these discoveries. Jotting down notes and taking pictures with your phone can be your lifesaver when it comes time to design something new.
Need inspiration on the go? Download a copy of this list to carry with you. It has space to write your ideas of places around you and includes three additional places not listed here. Click HERE to download your copy.
Next week, I’ll share more actionable ways to nurture and organize your discoveries to make the most of these new sources of inspiration.
Until then, happy creating!
Virginia
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