Last night as I was working on menus and place cards for the Utterly Engaged Tabletop Design Competition, I pondered what inspires me. In the past, most of my work has been commissioned so I definitely glean inspiration from my clients. Now that I am doing more self-motivated projects, I am getting bright ideas from a number of sources. Here are a few that currently float my boat (in no particular order):
No. 1: Walking the aisles of Home Depot. I tend to go there when I want to use an unusual material or something ordinary in an unexpected way.
No. 2: The Uniform Project has helped me to view things I already have in a new light. After browsing her pages, I recently wore a cardigan upside-down. It turned out looking like a cowl neck shrug. (Super cute!). I’ve also been motivated to layer dresses on top of skirts, wear striking accessories, and borrow clothes from friends to change up my wardrobe.
No. 3: The photography blogs of some of southern California’s finest (like Chenin Boutwell and Jasmine Star). Their work is amazing. I could drool over their images all day but I also often go there strategically. I try to turn part of my brain off so I can forget I’m looking at pictures of people and weddings. I focus on color and composition. This kind of eyes-glazed-over-so-I-can-take-it-all-in approach works for me when I look at all sorts of things but these ladies almost always do the trick for me.
No. 4: For two years in a row, Santa has given me Ready Made Magazine in my stocking. I dig it so much that I’m about ready to get myself a subscription. I am particularly inspired by the last feature in each magazine: the MacGyver Challenge. They ask their readers to make something using one particular material and then spotlight the winner. I’m definitely going to enter at least once this year. Who’s with me?
I’d love to know what catches your eye and helps you think outside the box. Where do you look for inspiration?
Tags: Chenin Boutwell, Home Depot, Inspiration, Jasmine Star, Ready Made Magazine, The Uniform Project
