What Inspires You as a Designer

My inspiration comes from simple things: landscapes, nature, sunshine, green trees, loved ones, music, favorite authors, and oftentimes themes and lines from the Bible. These things bring me nostalgia, a sense of history, reminiscence, longing for heaven, appreciation of nature, appreciation for light and life, and so much more. One may wonder if these organic, soft, and warm elements can translate into the diverse, colorful, variable world of design. I’ve struggled with this at times, but I’ve come to realize that I’m an individual who appreciates certain things, and that is who I am. I want to create things that evoke the beauty I’m inspired by. Does this mean I will create work that is always inspired by those things? No. There are jobs and projects that may not flow from my main inspiration sources, but as long as I have a “passion” project on the side, my creativity can flow into both.

I think it is important to hone in on what inspires you, to be aware of it. I’ve sometimes felt confined to the generic idea of what a designer is, based off of popular design trends, popular designer’s styles, idols in the design field, etc. Realizing you are your own individual — unique, creative, and growing — is essential to become who you are meant to be in life, and that same idea is applicable to become who you are meant to be within your career. My dream is to be an illustrator, to sell my own pieces, and to be self-sufficient. My dream is my inspiration to further myself and grow to be a better designer/illustrator/creator.