How To Find Offline Inspiration

Web Designers don’t just make websites the way their bosses wanted them to do it. The idea might be from the employers but the design is still at the hands of the designer. But it’s not like designers have loads of fresh ideas everyday. They have to think of something different in each of their projects. But still we wonder:

How are these other web designers getting their inspiration?
How are they using their inspirations to set their mood and keep going?
How do I find my own inspiration?

Usually, most designers check out new arts in Deviantart. But online things are not the only source of inspiration. There are lots of offline inspirations than you think there is.  These tips are based on my own lifestyle in my work. Read on to find out how my work habits and my environment influences my design.

Go Out, See The World
Working at home can kill your creativity. Being a semi-freelance web designer it’s my freedom to work wherever I want to. And most freelancers are working at the comfort of their own room or anywhere in the house. But as my personal experience, working at home is very boring. It’s exactly the same thing you see everyday. Your room, your living room, the kitchen, your dog, and the people inside your house. This is web design, not some encoding job. Even bloggers prefer to write their own articles outside the house.  We need inspirations to come up with fresh ideas.

The City
Travelling doesn’t literally tell you to go to other countries. I don’t think it will cost you so much just to go out to normal places like in the city. You even go out time to time to buy your blank cd/dvds, your food and snacks, and whenever you get your pay you also go out. What I’m doing is, I’m looking mostly at the billboards, store posters, the colors of the buildings, the cars, and even people. Seeing new things inpires me.

Free Wifi Shops
Most of the time when I get tired of walking, I usually look for a free wifi shops such as coffee shops, burger junctions and even in the food court. People might ask, don’t you find it annoying when people bump you? Actually I find it even more inspiring when you see new faces specially when you see the color of their clothes, their bags, and even their tattoos.

Book Stores & Shopping Mall
Ok this one is even more inspiring. Usually book stores are the best place to get your offline inspiration. Whenever I’m having a brain block, I usually scan magazines, book covers, posters, gift wrappers, shopping bags, and whole lot more. The ambiance of the shopping mall makes me think comfortably. Whenever I take a smoke break in a smoking area, sometimes I look at the shops and the posters that they have. It’s like recharging my batteries.

Music & Movies
In addition to all the things I’ve suggested, adding music while looking around adds more inspiration. Listening to music turns your mood. Personally, I couldn’t work without music.  Music makes me alive, that’s why I always make sure I bring my phone with mp3 player. Movies are another source of my inspiration. I usually watch sci-fi movies such as Transformers, Iron Man and a whole lot more. The special effects and their character textures are my biggest inspiration. So who would’ve thought watching a movie is just for relaxation?

So, next time you guys are outside, pay attention to your environment. These simple things can also incorporate our designs. There are a lot more interesting things outside your house that you don’t just notice. If you have a camera you might want to take pictures of nice things you see. I hope I am able to help you out. Enjoy Web Designing!