Inspiration Tuesday - Visual Thinking

Image from here.

Good morning!

Today I'm carrying on with my list of 21 Inspirational Things and the next thing on my list is number two - Visual thinking.

2. Visual Thinking
During my time at University I was constantly told to stop writing lists of ideas and just get some imagery down that relates to what I want to create. That never worked for me. The best way for me to think visually is to actually make something and see how it works as an actual piece - not just a flat drawing. I suppose this is probably influenced by the medium and method I use to create things, but just drawing some ideas down didn't do it for me.

I think the best way to think visually is to adapt to what suits your medium (and your brain!) most. Below are a few ways that I have found to help me think visually:

• Creating collages/mood-boards that evoke a certain feeling or theme. 
• Collecting ephemera that I find inspirational - knowing that a very specific thing about it will help me with my project development (such as a specific colour or typeface)
• Making rough 3D versions of my idea - so I can actually see what needs adapting or changing and how.

These methods of visual thinking help me decide and experiment with things like colour, layout, size, material, shape, use and context of my designs.

What methods of visual thinking do you use and why?

Inspiration Tuesday - Finding inspiration in everyday things

Last week I started a new series for the blog called "21 Inspirational Things" and today is the first post (posted again, as blogger deleted the original post)

1. Finding Inspiration in Everyday Things
I always find the simple things the most inspirational and I get the majority of my inspiration from nature. I love the mix of structure, colour, form and detail that you can find in nature - from leaves, trees and flowers, to food, bugs and animals. I love how nature can be so simple, yet so detailed at the same time and I think repetition and symmetry have a lot to do with this.

Plus if all else fails and I need inspiration I just take a quick break, grab a coffee and take Toby for a walk - which clears my head immediately!

What everyday objects/things give you inspiration?

Inspiration Tuesday - 21 Inspirational Things

Hello!

Hand Cut Papercut Leaf Necklaces - in the shop now and more details given on Wednesday! 

This week's post is a bit of a refresher of last weeks post for my 21 Inspirational Things series, which for some reason has been deleted by blogger!

Due to the post being deleted, I thought it would be best if I just explained the idea behind the 21 Inspirational Things series again....It all came about due to my week without a computer (which happened at the beginning of this month) and what I found out while researching. I came across so much helpful and inspiration information that I wanted to share with you and so I thought they best way to do this would be as regular posts here on the blog - as the weekly Inspiration Tuesday posts.

So, now you have a quick reminder, lets get on to the post! Last time I only mentioned the first thing from my 21 Inspirational Things - but I think it might be more interesting for you to see the whole list. If there is something you really want to know more about or you just want to get more details about a specific one of the 21 Inspirational Things then you can just tune in for that post!

Below is the full list of 21 Inspirational Things and I will start next week with number one and work my way through the list over the weeks! I hope you will join me every week, but if not, I hope you come back when the post you want to read pops up!

21 Inspirational Things:

1. Find inspiration in everyday objects.
2. Visual thinking is vital.
3. Think conceptually and concisely.
4. Find your strengths and weaknesses - then use both.
5. Don't sit waiting for the phone to ring - do stuff!
6. Work fast and to a high standard.
7. Invent your own style
8. Entertain and communicate.
9. Don't be seduced by technology.
10. Create your own visual language.
11. Understand the market you are going into.
12. Have a basic understanding of the print process.
13. Be aware of other illustrators and illustration work to see where you fit in or stand out.
14. Create a lot of work.
15. Make lots of noise and often - its the best way to get your work seen.
16. Do your own thing and enjoy it!
17. Ideas win over technique
18. Experiment, a lot.
19. Have a lively imagination.
20. Be curious, passionate, determined and adaptable
21. Be self confident.