design inspiration?

[kevinb52]

I'm curious to learn how the professional graphics person does to plan out that cool new interface or menu.... how does one come up with that cool new button or neat new texture?

Is this something you plan out in advance or just sporatically come up with?

I've had it easy so far - when I've been preparing to do a site in the past I take out a pen and paper and draw an outline of the site... the links chose themselves and I had someone do the site.
Now that I'm wanting to do my own interfaces and my own web design from scratch, I find myself too "right brained" to come up with a really unique idea or layout that I like.

So where do you get that unique inspiration when doing a site?
Not just cool techy sites, but corporate sites as well. I think those are most difficult b/c not only do you have to be original, but it also has to have a certain look and feel to be considered professional.

So - what do you guys do when starting a new site?
What can I do to come up with my layout faster better?

Thanks!

[theKeeper]

"What can I do to come up with my layout faster better?"

The worst thing you could do is try to rush inspiration. I'm pretty sure that any artist fluent in design will agree with this.

An experienced designer has a lot of past ideas to draw from -- both good AND bad. Everything counts when you're looking for new inspiration.

What i usually like to do is watch a lot of TV. Sounds odd, but, there are a lot of really great graphics and design being used now for everything from commercials to major motion pictures, to TV movies, etc...
I try NOT to intentially LOOK for something persay, but rather just 'watch' and be aware of what i'm seeing. When i DO see something that inspires me, i make a special note of it, and try to dissect what i'm seeing as it would apply to creating it in Photoshop -- in other words, i rip the design apart graphically while i'm looking at it.

And that's what i usually do.
BUT... never forget that the client should start off the design process with some ideas of their own. Then the designer can step in and carry the ball home.

Hope that helps.

Very good question kevinb52, but not always as difficult as you think. It's important what Mark said to look around. People with a very global interest for the world surrounding them will also find it easier to come up with an idea. See, it's difficult to start something from scratch, but it's easier if you have a subject to work with.

Let's say I give you a word: car

Now you can make a list of words; shiny, expensive, fast, engine, tires, danger, travel, gas, road, driver, race, headlights, etc.
I always make a list for myself and before I know it I have all the inspiration I need. If I can't make myself a list, now then I'm in trouble!

[lindaw]

Great info Mark and Gaus! I follow the path of G-Man. When I am creating a site or logo from square one, I write down a word and then anything that comes to mind from that word, write that down. Then I usually search the web based on my words and just look at what is out there. Then I go into the real world and look there. The inspiration will come. If you try to rush it, forget it. You will be so irritated! What is your site about, who are you trying to reach, personal or business, size of site....ask yourself these questions. Research the market you are trying to reach....If it is a personal site, then pretty much anything goes out there.

[sfm]

I start with the business card as there is colour, logo and all the important details there......... then I sit down with pencil and paper and start to think from a mental list just as Gaussian said and doodle my way round that - if I can't think of anything suitable I go for a walk or a swim and will even sleep on it until I come up with something, never rush anything I do a lot of good thinking and designing when I am supposed to be sleeping he he he
then I take it to PS and make the page up there so that I know it looks right then slice and dice it to html then I go to bed at the end of the day and usually 9 times out of 10 come up with something even better - I wonder if this is because it is quiet with no he he he interuptions and I am more relaxed that this happens
sfm

[lindaw]

Same here Sue...my best ideas come at 2am when not a creature is stirring...well ok my cat is but she is semi quiet after she is fed! ha ha

[Silverwolf]

When in doubt simplicity becomes the order of the day... why? because it is always easy to add on to something simple once the creative juices start to flow...

HI and welcome to the board Silverwolf

[sfm]

welcome aboard Silverwolf
simply best I agree he he he
sfm

[Silverwolf]

Howdy... Tkank you

Hey I agree with you folks regarding writing down relative words , now if only I didn't dislike writing so much haha, but seriously that is a great starting point

And Mark, I hear ya man... I too, watch all the latest commercials and shows and wow, there really is a ton of great new ideas showing up... sometimes so much so that I simply end up in awe, and wonder if I will ever get to become so talented.

One step at a time... trend following for now, trend leading for tommorow eh?

Keep at it Kev...

have a good one all