July 23, 2015
We all want to be inspired by the beauty and creativity of the world around us, yet it’s still difficult to find a method of inspiration that you can come back to again and again. One of the best ways I’ve found to most easily acquire solid inspiration that you can rely on and come back to, is by visiting a place I’ve never gone before. As you can probably see, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Italy. Let me just add it’s even easier when you visit somewhere known for design in the first place.
But let’s hold on a second. I know what you’re thinking, “I can’t just go to Italy every time I need inspiration.” Your right, and neither can I, but let’s look at the process of where this type of inspiration comes from. The strategy behind this theory is that being surrounded by the colours, styles and history that any place has allows you to draw on design elements you may have not considered before. You don’t have to be on the other side of the planet to find inspiration, but it helps when it’s a culture different from your own.
Different cultures have different style trends that may not have reached your home yet, and may help you find the inspiration you are looking for. There are two core concepts at work when it comes to designing for your target audience. The design can gravitate towards a safer, more familiar style, or it can be trend setting and use exciting elements together in unexpected ways. The choice is yours and the blend of both can work too. Your choice should reflect the personality type of your target audience, so doing some research will be very helpful.
Once you know what your end goal is you can look for inspiration in places that align well those goals.
So, next time you’re looking for some inspiration figure out who your target audience is and immerse yourself in their culture for a little while. You’re sure to find some great new ideas, and hey, you might even get to visit somewhere as beautiful as Italy!
