Places I get creative inspiration (that aren’t online)

It’s important to get your creative inspo from sources other than where other designers are looking - to encourage a fresh perspective and to create work that truly stands out.

Here are 4 of my go-to spots that fire me up creatively, along with images showcasing some of my favourites.

Ephemera

Stamps, tickets, postcards, stickers and greeting cards.. etc. The meaning of the word ephemera is “lasting only a day” but the effort that goes into designing some of these items means many of us often keep them for much longer than this as keep-sakes.

Designed by Arnold Skolnick

Designed by Beukers Scholma

A vintage find

A vintage find

Movie Titles

When some superbly designed type appears on the big screen I do love it.The pure ARTISTRY and thought that goes into creating a piece of typography that not only is visually captivating, but also somehow conveys a concept of the movie too? I think that’s amazing.

Designed by Mike Salisbury

Designed by James Verdesoto

Designed by Chipsny

Designed by Tim Girvin

Art Galleries

Some art is very hit or miss for me. Sculpture, for example - I just don’t get 99% of it (have I revealed myself to be a luddite here? Perhaps). But generally speaking, a visit to my local art gallery inspires me up to create better work.

By Ade Adesina

By Claude Monet

By Grayson Perry

Book Shops

You better believe I’ll judge a book by its cover! I love an eyecatching outside cover, but the insides of a well-laid out or neatly typeset books also get me.

Illustrations by Noma Bar