DESIGN'S PURPOSE

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Hey all,

I hope everyone had a relaxing summer; with school starting back up again, there's no better time to start writing more blog posts than now. During my summer, I reflected on what this blog site meant to me and what I plan for it in this upcoming year. I will start writing shorter and more digestible posts that can be applied to more aspects than just design; although that will still be the focus, I would like to welcome people from all sorts of backgrounds. the bottom line is this: if you're a dreamer or someone who is striving for more, I hope you can learn something from these posts, and if not, that's cool, too. so, with that in mind, I would like to say welcome back, and let's get into today's discussion: inspiration.

Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut, desperately searching for that spark to ignite your next big idea? Well, what if I told you that the inspiration you're looking for is right under your nose, hiding in the nooks and crannies of your daily life? Let's talk about tuning into the world around us. You know how sometimes you zone out on your way to work, barely noticing anything? Well, it's time to flip the script. Start really looking at stuff. That old brick wall you pass every day? It's got stories to tell in its cracks and colors. The way the sun hits your coffee mug in the morning? That's a whole emotion right there. Now, I'm not saying you need to go full Zen master, but there's something to be said for being present in the moment. It's like, when you're really there, you start noticing all these little details that can spark ideas. It's not just about what you see, either. It's about how things make you feel. Think back to when you were a kid, and you found a cool-looking stick on the ground that you carried around for the rest of the day and that you showed your parents; it wasn't because times are changing and life stopped providing intricately shaped sticks, but rather you stopped looking for them, the same applies to creative inspiration, you have to be willing to search for it before it comes to you.

Speaking of feelings, let's get real for a second. We often try to push our emotions aside when we're working, right? But here's the thing: those feelings are creative gold. Whether you're on cloud nine or feeling like the world's against you, there's potential for amazing work there. Think about it. How would you show happiness in a design if you couldn't use the word "happy"? What colors scream "I'm stressed out!" to you? By tapping into these emotions, you're not just making pretty pictures; you're creating stuff that hits people right in the feels. Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what if I'm just not feeling inspired?" Well, my friend, sometimes you gotta shake things up a bit. Back to the kid analogy, remember when you were a kid, everything was new and exciting? Channel that energy. Try looking at your surroundings like you're seeing them for the first time. What stands out? What's weird or cool or just plain interesting? And hey, don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path now and then. Take a different route to work. Check out that weird little shop you always pass but never go into. Sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.

Here's another thing to chew on: everything you experience, everything you feel - it's all uniquely you. In a world where we're bombarded with images and trends, it's easy to feel like everything's been done before. But nobody else sees the world quite like you do. Your experiences, your emotions, your quirks - that's your secret sauce. Use it! Now, I'm not saying you need to have some earth-shattering epiphany every time you step outside. It's more about developing a habit of curiosity. Keep your eyes open, stay hungry for new experiences, and don't be too quick to dismiss the ordinary stuff. At the end of the day, being creative isn't about waiting for inspiration to strike like lightning. It's about learning to see the potential for amazingness in the everyday stuff. It's about taking all those little moments, feelings, and observations and turning them into something awesome.

So next time you're feeling stuck, try this: take a deep breath, look around, and really sink into whatever you're feeling at that moment. Chances are, there's a killer idea hiding in there somewhere, just waiting for you to bring it to life. Remember, your daily grind isn't just something to get through - it's the raw material for your next masterpiece. So get out there, soak it all in, and make some magic happen.

After all, the world sings its music every day; you just have to be willing to listen.