Beyond the Website: Finding Design Inspiration in the Unconventional
The best design inspiration for me comes from nature. From plants, what's on the ground, in the sky, textures, colour, the weather, beaches, the oceans. When you are outside in nature, you can probably conjure up a whole lot of different memories, both good and bad. Some might make you feel happy, some not so much.
Think about a time you went to the beach…
The sticky melting ice cream, kids laughing, burning hot sand, crashing waves, good books and sunbathing on a retro-patterned towel reserved only for beach days.
You might have your own beach memory similar to this.
How did it make you feel? Did you transport yourself to the beach by thinking about it?
Even when designing a brand style, product packaging, creating a website or even strategising a new business system, using nature as the inspiration first instead of what a lot of designers do and just using other people’s websites as your inspiration.
Tapping into this echelon of connection stops you from creating cookie-cutter experiences and instead creates something that helps connect with others in a very personal way.
When you pair this with strong visuals, well-written text and fantastic products or services, you have a recipe for a custom experience that's hard to copy-paste and replicate.
This probably is not conventional design practice but we aren't called a creative studio for nothing.
Here's how you can bring this approach to your work:
Embrace Nature Walks: Take time to wander through parks, forests, or even your own backyard. Pay attention to the textures, colors, shapes, and patterns around you. Capture them in your sketchbook, on your phone, or simply commit them to memory.
Connect with Your Senses: How does nature make you feel? What memories do certain elements evoke? Use those emotions and experiences to inform your design choices.
Find Inspiration in the Unconventional: Look beyond the usual design sources. What can you learn from a spiderweb, a blooming flower, or a rushing river?
Create a Unique Identity: By drawing inspiration from nature, you'll naturally create a style that's both unique and authentic. This will help you stand out from the crowd and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Let nature be your guide and create designs that are both beautiful and meaningful.
