As a developer/designer I often times find myself trying to find ways to generate ideas for design. Whether it be for graphics, layout, color schemes or even writing code to tackle a new problem, sometimes the dreaded creative block sets in. So what is it that I do to help spur the creative juices flowing? I will give a list of things I have done in the past, things I current do and things I have been thinking of trying. Hopefully you will find this list helpful.
- Gallery & Design Sites
These sites are nothing but a collection of great designs (most of the time) that can really inspire the creative process. Here are a few that I visit now and again, and in no particular order of importance. - Nature
I am lucky to live close to the Rocky Mountains, so it is rather simple to get away on a Saturday afternoon and take a drive through some absolutely amazing country. Spring and autumn are full of amazing colors in the mountains and provide a great way to get away from the hustle of daily routine, while providing great inspiration. Don’t live close to mountains? How about taking a drive or bike ride around a local lake, or any other outdoorsy place. If you are city bound and cannot get out to the country side, take a trip through a local botanical garden. An aquarium can also provide spectacular sites that may help generate some great creative ideas as well. - Architecture
Go visit historical building around town to get inspired by that of old. Or checkout some modern architectural designs for inspiration of creating a good flowing layout. Museums can also help in this area – you can get some classic color schemes from studying relics of the past, color schemes that aren’t in common use today, but when used wisely can create a great design. - Libraries
Take a trip to the local library and peruse some books. It may be a travel book full of great photos from a foreign country that inspires you, or it may a book about art, technology, science. It may even very well be that the people you encounter can give you an idea for a design – libraries are full of colorful people, children, punks, goths, grand-parents. It could be the library building itself.
- People
As mentioned in the Library section, watching people can bring about a creative idea. People are absolutely amazing, and simply sitting at a local coffee shop and observing them may very well stir something. You find all types of people, from all walks of life everyday, creating a diverse field of inspiration that you can leverage to stir up the creativeness.
While not lengthy or all inclusive, these are somethings I have done, still do or have thought to do to help the creative process. If you have something that you do to help jumpstart your creative juices, drop a comment and share it for others to read.
