Stumped for Design Inspiration? Take a hike!
September 20th, 2007

You know you’ve been there. You have to get a project started. You’re got all the details on the structure and functionality you need. But you sit down and every bit of creative juice that was ever in you has evaporated.
You go online and start surfing around. You open up magazines and books. And still, nothing.
I find myself in this situation more often than I’d like to admit. I’ve found one trick that has never let me down. So what do I do?
I go outside!
When you work and socialize and practically live online, it’s easy to dismiss the thought that anything offline could be a worthwhile source of inspiration. But in my experience, nothing could be farther from the truth.
There are more color combination and different shapes and patterns in nature than any designer could ever dream up. It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, rainy or sunny or if you’re in the city or the country, just relax and look up and around you.
Even if you don’t think you’ll be inspired by the great outdoors, if you’re really stumped, a break and a brisk walk will probably do you some good anyway ![]()

About
