What inspires you?
Do you ever feel down, like you’re in the wrong profession?
I think that we all, at some point or other, wonder if we’ve made the right decisions. Human nature keeps us questioning ourselves. It’s times when we ponder moves unmade that we draw on the inspiration that keeps us on track.
There’s an interesting group project on Vivien’s Inspiration Bit website, titled Source of Inspiration, which I’ve decided to write a few thoughts around. So folks, here’s a little insight into what inspires me:
The environment
I’m inspired by everything around me, from the smallest sweet wrapper blowing in the wind to the largest building advertisement 20 storeys tall. From a flame in a fire to the swell of the Irish sea. Every visual object can be interpreted into graphic design. Nothing should be discarded from thought when brainstorming a new project. Keep your mind open and your thoughts lateral.
People of the world
People inspire me just as much nature. I’m inspired by my family and all the love they’ve afforded me. I’m inspired by people who struggle through starvation from day to day. Great designers inspire me too, which is why I spend a small fortune on books.
The design process
The whole process from start to finish is why I’m involved in graphic design. From the initial passing thought right through to the finished article. Each and every aspect is fascinating in its own complex way.
What inspires you?
I know that Vivien would appreciate your contribution to her writing project.
Alternatively, I’d love it if you left a little nugget of info in the comments below.
Oh, and if I haven’t yet replied to your very welcomed comments, I’m in Northern Ireland visiting family and building up some inspiration. As a result my posting might be a bit sporadic. Back to normal soon enough.
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David, thank you so much for sharing with us your sources of inspiration and, of course, for promoting this group writing project.
There are four more days left to participate. I look forward to seeing more inspiring entries from others.
You’re right, there are so many things around us that can spark an inspiration flame, all we need is to capture, seize that moment - “carpe diem” and realize it in our work.
“The environment” - indeed, just take a look at the hicksdesign logo, inspired from the on/off button of his camera. Brilliant :-D
I’m going to be doing a redesign of my site soon, and this article has helped a little bit, so cheers.
Also…
[Off topic]
“One lonely but appreciated comment”
David, that’s fantastic :-D
Much as nature inspires your graphic design, life in general inspires my writing. I was just thinking today that because I am interested in so many areas of life that I basically have no limits to my writing topics, other than lack of in-depth knowledge, and most of the time I can do research to overcome that hurdle.
It is heartening to me to know that there are people in the world that see the details and are inspired by them, be it on a candy wrapper or a 20 story building. Thanks! :)
You’re very welcome. I look forward to reading about the sources of inspiration from your other readers.
Richard,
I don’t think too many people see the ‘one lonely but appreciated comment’, although it’s the little details that I think can make all the difference to a website. Good luck with the impending re-design.
Carol,
I think that’s a sign of a good writer, one who doesn’t impose any limitations.
What inspires me???
Certainly nature - on the micro and macro levels. My kids - they definitely inspire me - as does my wife. What really inspires me though? Relationships.
It’s obvious from the great discussions on your website that relationships inspire you.
Thanks for sharing your inspirations.
I think as designers our eyes never rest and we are being inspired 24/7 by the things around us, consciously or subconsciously.
My conscious inspiration comes from nature …the color palette, shapes, smells and I actually find indulging myself in nature a real antidote to sitting in front of a computer screen all day ..a potter around the garden really helps realese those creative juices!
I even feature a section on my blog called which features photogrpahs of my inspirations of the moment.
Nature doesn’t always do the trick for me though. I remember once having a real creative block in the creation of a logo and had a “eureka” moment while filling my car up with petrol ..maybe it was the fumes!
i am inspired by tragedy - and I don’t mean it morbidly - but it definitely inspires me and makes me think about the fragility of everything around us. That being said, natures is always awe-inspiring and sometimes tragic and my creative inspirations change as quickly as a storm into a hurricane.
I hope you all remember the song that Maria sings in “The Sound of Music” called “My Favorite Things”. I *created* my own version of this song using my own favorite things and I definitely sing it in my head as a reminder every so often. It is a worthwhile activity for all - I highly recommend it (followed by running around in the hills and singing of it at the top of your lungs!)
Thanks for sharing, David! I liked what you said about the environment. Sometimes we just need to get out of our offices/studios and sit outside for a bit and watch life go by. If you are interested, you can see my contribution to this project over on Inspiration Bit. Tara and Vivien were nice enough to coordinate together and get me my first little blog article :D
[...] at http://www.inspirationbit.com Johno at http://www.redsil.com David at http://www.davidairey.com Char at http://www.essentialkeystrokes.com/ Charity at http://www.designadaptations.com Paul at [...]
I fully agree that we’re inspired subconciously. There’s a post I made recently about subliminal advertising which gives a little insight into that.
Nature is a great antidote to the computer. I like your thinking. ;)
Emily,
I too think of the fragility of life. When I was younger I was in a car crash and after which I was incredibly lucky to remain intact. It certainly puts things into perspective.
You know, I’d love to hear your rendition of that song. Perhaps it could be a downloadable as a pod cast or mp3?
Lauren,
Your first blog post on Tara’s site is a great one! I enjoyed reading it and look forward to future articles.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by and giving your time to read / comment.
yes, exactly David, these near death experiences are inspirational. When I lived on the ocean I was inspired by surfing because it allowed me to be part of a living organism, one that could have easily swallowed me up at any time. A nice metaphor for the life we are all a part of that can swallow us up at any time or merely let us ride the waves….
I have been thinking about my career (system administrator) and the fact that I love everything about graphic design/web authoring there is. I am currently evaluating my situation… I know graphic design isn’t the easiest thing to get into, and you never really master it… but I think I’d like to try to at least start doing some freelance here and there.
My job as it stands seems very dead end, and I just love the possibilities with graphic design, the different media it can be presented on and such.
Nice post David. Made me think more about my “career longevity”.
I’ll be like Keanu Reeves in Point Break, the old city-slicker who can’t surf to save his life.
It looks amazing though, and surfing is a nice metaphor.
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[...] What Inspires A Graphic Designer by David Airey Inspired by the environment (”every visual object can be interpreted into graphic design”), people of the world, the design process from start to finish. [...]
I will definitely visit each of the links in this inspirational group project, this is good stuff !!! Thanks for sharing ! By the way, I understand exactly Mark’s comments above, I have been feeling the same for years. Probably time to change, what an enticing idea: to devote life to design!
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what inspired me is peoples reactions, emotions and whats happening around the world. I like to listen others people experiences and how they describe them make me feel part of their pain or joy. I think that also I get inspired by phylosophy and history of humankind example holocaust, human rights etc.. Thanks David for your blog is good to know that Im not alone.thanks
Hi David!
What a great list! I would agree with you, most definitely. Others on my list, which are a bit more specific than yours, include books and bookstores, the North Shore of Lake Superior, people on the bus, The Cathedral of St. Paul (St. Paul, Minnesota), road trips without destinations, but above all, an empty composition notebook with a brand new pen nestled by its binding on my computer desk. There is no better place to begin.
Thanks for adding to the inspirational resources. A bookstore is on my more comprehensive list, for sure.