Creative Inspiration Everywhere

Why we need to be open to inspiration at all times.

From where do you draw creative inspiration?

The answer for me is simple: everywhere.

A few weeks ago I was in the paint section at Home Depot and noticed that various paint manufacturers had published new color books - including their announcement of their "Color of the Year". I started thumbing through the books to find beautifully decorated rooms showcasing their selected color prominently on the walls.

And then it hit me:
These rooms are color palettes.
These color palettes could live beyond interior design.
These color palettes could be creative inspiration for a brand palette.

So I took the booklets home with me and did exactly that exercise: I used the interior design colors to create potential color palettes for future creative work (examples below if you're curious).

Do I have an immediate use for these color palettes? Nope. But I now have them saved away for future inspiration. And that, in and of itself, is valuable.

You never know where creative inspiration may come from. Because of that, it's wise to always be paying attention and keep yourself open to inspiration striking. Once you notice something inspiring - log it away for future reference. Create an album on your phone, a physical folder at your desk, or a running document with notes and images. This cache can prove immensely valuable next time you're looking to be inspired when doing creative work.

A few practical examples:
-Grab a flier or a leaflet that connects
-Take pictures of displays that pull you in
-Note interesting banner ads or signage
-Jot down copy that strikes you
-Find a room or space that resonates and capture it
-Save direct mail pieces that stand out

So start building your war chest of things that inspire you creatively - future you will thank you.

Thanks for spending time with me in my workshop,

Eric