When I was in college I didn’t do a lot of creative research. I didn’t know that was a thing I could do. I thought all creatives found inspiration from within (or some sh*t like that). That if you were really an artist - you were always inspired. What a load of bull, right? EVERYONE needs some extra inspiration… and some of us (pointing at myself here) need as much creative inspiration as we can get!

One of my first “real” jobs was working in the design department at a manufacturing company. We designed product packaging and point-of-purchase advertisements. Our boss kept  a 6ft tall bookcase in his office filled with old magazines and my favorites were always CA (Communication Arts) Magazine. He would encourage us to come look through those before we started on new projects or if we ever needed some extra creative inspiration. That was the first time I really understood that it was OK to have “creative block… to be stuck. 

Now I actually schedule time into my design and illustration jobs for creative research. I literally set a timer (so I don’t go down too many rabbit holes), get out a pencil and some paper for sketching, and make a concerted effort to research new ideas.

When I’m designing books (covers or book interiors), I start by going on Amazon and just scrolling through NYT best sellers, the top 10 in various categories, or books in a specific genre (EX. don’t research “self help” books if you’re seeking inspiration for a romance novel). Going to the library used to be my preferred method of research, but I feel kind-of weird and icky going to the library to just browse the stacks these days. Hopefully we’ll get back there one day - post covid.

I also have a huge collection of kids books that I go through for creative research. Children’s books are not only inspiration by them self, but the colors and imagination-inducing designs OFTEN spark other creative ideas.  

Logo design research is a double-edged sword. It’s super easy to do a google search for other businesses in that industry or companies with the same words in their name, but once you see another company’s logo, it’s sometimes hard to get that image out of your brain and move forward with your own designs. Google searches are also great for color research. Test it out for yourself… do a quick google search for purple logo. I’ll wait. 

See what I mean?

Another place to go for researching logo designs and/or packaging designs is to Target. RECON MISSION! What better excuse could you POSSIBLY have to just go walk UP.AND.DOWN the aisles of Target?! You will need to be good at taking mental notes though - the security guards at Target frown on your taking pictures and even sketching ideas while in their stores. You may or may not get stopped and called to the back security office so they can verify why you’re actually there. Not that I would know from experience or anything.. Totally guessing here.

When I’m doing a custom illustration for a client (architecture, people, animals, etc.) I start with an actual photograph of the thing I’m going to draw, and then usually go back to my childrens book collection for creative inspiration. I’m such a big kid. 

MANY times if Im SUPER STUCK and I just need to get out of the house or I’m going to go berserk, I will go to the local big-box bookstore to look through magazines. Not even industry specific ones - home magazines, craft magazines, sports magazines, cooking magazines, celebrity magazines. The colors and ads in them will ALWAYS spark ideas. Make sure you take a sketch book with you though… MOST bookstores have this pesky rule about taking pictures of books you don’t intend to buy. Weird, I know. OR you can go to the library to look at magazines (most libraries have a large periodical section). They let you take pictures of pages (just make sure your volume is turned off… I hate that pesky camera sound.

Stock photography websites are also a good place to spark creativity. I use Adobe stock or iStock… Many times just looking at images in a certain category is just the inspiration I need! 

I also use my Art History book from college (that’s one $200 textbook that I have DEFINITELY gotten some use out of - it’s over 20 years old), art gallery books, craft books, random books of art… looking at classic artwork is not only soothing, but it also puts me in the right mood to be creative. 

When I’m actively working on creative research, I ALWAYS keep my sketch book or clipboard with notebook paper in front of me. I might be looking at an ad for Nike tennis shoes, but the layout of the ad, the typography, or even the combination of colors might activate some other part of my brain. I also keep a brain dump idea book open on my desk AL.THE.TIME! You never know when an idea will come to you. 

What are some ways you find creative inspiration? I’d love to know… especially if I haven’t listed it above. I LOVE poaching new ideas...

Check out my website for more ideas of some of the fun and inspiring designs I can create for your business. Want to work with me? Click below and I’ll be happy to get back in touch with you.