A glimpse at design concepts that inspire me

When thinking about what inspires me, a few objects, ideas, and images come to mind.  Above, from left to right, are examples of media and designs that get my creative juices flowing.

• Experience, Experiment, Learning – Through experiential, experimental, and traditional learning, I am always finding inspiration.  These types of learning immerse me in worlds of thought that never seem to end.  I am always greatful to have had an experience, to try new things, and to read new literature, theory or fiction.
• Layers & Complexity - While some people find beauty and inspiration in simplicity (I do as well), I am driven by the puzzle, the search, the layers of digging down deep – through images, films, music, illustrations, and concepts.  They present to me challenges to overcome, opportunities to exercise the brain, new holistic ways of approaching subjects.
• Socially Responsible Design – Lately, I have been subscribing to GOOD magazine, a magazine dedicated to this exact concept.  That through design, we can illustrate complicated, but important social events, like the sample seen above, where food assistance program and policy is better understood through a visual representation.  These designs can help our society engage in new ways of thinking about each other and change our habits for the better.
• Ted Talks – If you haven’t watched any TED talks, I highly encourage anyone to visit their website and browse around.  Standing for “Technology, Education, Design”, TED talks invite the most innovative and forward thinking professionals who are creating and shaping the future through the combination of these three elements.   Very inspirational.
• Concept Mapping & Artificial Intelligence – Database technologies, the rapidity and exchange of information, and new ways of aggregating this information is a growing field that is extremely interesting to see and think about.  As massive machines of intelligence surpass our ability to collect and store information, how do designers and artists come to terms with these information exchanges?
• Information Design – Similar to the category above, but worth as a stand alone concept, where a huge aggreegate of  information is visualized using design principles & aesthetic, in order to communicate messages meant for learning.  I could spend hours browsing websites with data visualizations.
• Sound & Radio – I grew up listening to radio, mostly NPR, but also talk radio.  Music and sounds have always been a passion of mine.  The way sound so often can give you goosebumps and take you on a aural journey.  The crisp tones, details, and layers of process involved in the creation of sound.
• Do-It-Yourself Craft – Inspired at a young age by the DIY zine culture, I have always felt connected to crafting, as a creative, empowering, and feminist exercise.  Craft inspires memory through heritage, can become meaningful gifts and expressions of oneself, and can be meditative through tactile learning.  I love to sew my own clothes, knit, and make quilts and T-Shirt designs.
• Children’s Books – The children’s imagination is extensive and extremely visual.  I always remember spending hours immersed in Richard Scarrey’s complex illustrated worlds, making my own stories and plots, playing with imaginative scenes and examining details repetivitely.  Just because we aren’t children doesn’t mean we can relive that visually imaginitive experience.

Not much to say here – other than I have created my first ruffle!  I found this fabric on sale and fell in love with the candy-stripe circa early-80’s feel and decided to continue the theme with a little ruffle.  I may look like a child wearing it – but then again – you haven’t seen my candy cane holiday ruffled shirt!!   I will let you know on it’s ongoing progress and of course – final product!