One of the reasons I entered the Publication Design program was because I thought I had lost my inspiration to design. I looked at a lot of my designs and saw that I had reached a point where all of my pieces were not inspiring and I didn’t know where to turn for that inspiration. I even thought about changing my profession.
When I first started in the profession I seemed to find inspiration in everything I did. Listening to music, looking at art, watching the season’s change, day-to-day conversations, everyday life inspired me. Then one day I look up and could not find inspiration if it laid in front of me. I guess you could say I was passionless. ☹
It wasn’t until I decided to come back to school that I started to feel inspired again. I think I allowed the rat race of the real world to take my inspiration away. After trying to get writers, editors, and vice presidents of companies to see things my way. I lost the feeling of producing something that I felt was effective and creative. I thought my designs had become very cookie cuter. I was living in a box. Flow in text, place pictures (BIG PICTURES) and the piece is done.
One thing that I have learned to enjoy is the whole design process. From the initial thought right through to the finished piece. Even when it is a painful process. Each and every aspect has become more fascinating in its own way. I have even started to take pictures of things that inspire me. I have taken pictures of signs/bill boards, trees, random people, and the list goes on. I have also realized that I work better late at night. When there are no interruptions or distractions.
As designers we have to find new ways to inspirer ourselves. I also thing we have to find new challenges or we can get complacent. What inspires you? How do you get out of a designer rut?
No comments:
Post a Comment