Where do creatives find their inspiration?
How do you keep an eye on design trends?
As designers, the pursuit of creative ideas is a journey that requires you to look everywhere and constantly evolve. From exploring new techniques to embracing emerging trends, finding inspiration is a vital aspect of our work. In today’s digital landscape, staying up-to-date on trends is more crucial than ever, as it not only fuels our creativity but also ensures relevance in an ever-changing landscape.
Let’s dig into how where you find creative ideas in 2024.
Embrace curiosity in your daily life
Stay curious about the world around you, explore diverse interests and designers, and never stop asking questions. Embracing this as a life-mantra got me excited to to start The Drop, a series I created at Hotwire exploring the zeitgeist of internet and culture. Our team dug deep into topics that were trending online, such as reverse-duping pop up shops, social enshittification and why brands need to get real, and biases in Generative AI.
To get inspired and curious, I’d also recommend websites like Behance and Dribble, where you can browse graphic designers’ work from all over the world, offering insights into emerging styles and techniques. Some of my favorite illustrators & designers at the moment:
Ok so now we are curious, how do we stay creative?
Experiment and get uncomfy
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new techniques, mediums, and styles. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them. Some of the most innovative ideas emerge from embracing the unknown. When I first started out, I could not stand to edit video. But in today’s crowded social media landscape, static images can easily get lost in the scroll. Animation and GIFs capture attention more effectively, engaging users and encouraging them to stop and interact with the content. I’ve recently been exploring pattern animation and subtle expressions within illustration to bring out a new side to my designs.
One aspect of design that I love is how you can be deep into a cybersecurity brand project one moment, and the next you are exploring textures for a fun event. My advice, especially as you first start out: don’t pigeon-hole yourself into ONE industry or ONE type of design.
Diversity in your work will keeps your creative juices flowing and prevent any feeling of monotony from setting in. That’s why I encourage designers to work at agencies to gain that experience working with different industries before settling deeply into one.
Better together
Creativity thrives in collaborative environments where diverse perspectives come together to spark innovation. By fostering a culture of collaboration, designers can leverage the collective wisdom and creativity of their team members to generate fresh ideas and push the boundaries of creative expression. Encourage brainstorming sessions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and open dialogue to tap into the collective creativity of your team and unlock new possibilities.
If you are ever in need of a brain to collaborate with, I encourage you to reach out to me!
