Creativity From Without

When I design I constantly look for inspiration or “creativity from without”. By that I mean the opposite of within. Design is a discipline that requires certain knowledge of self but I find the most out about myself when I leave my comfort zone and challenge myself to see things differently and work from a different perspective.

As a designer our vision is not necessarily what our audience is looking for and as a designer our audience are our clients and essentially our barometer of success. If we only concerned ourselves with what we saw fit in an attempt to express what’s within us we would be artists, not designers. Design is looking around us and finding ways to improve life and communication through color type and image. I adore companies that do this and take otherwise miniscule concepts and expand on them exponentially until it becomes its own individual creation that stands alone and can in turn inspire others. If you have read my blog you will know I am enamored by Jordan Brand. They have created timeless shoes inspired by, obviously Michael Jordan, but propelled by concepts such as a panther for the Jordan XIII, the X-15 fighter jet for the Jordan XV and more recently the art of fencing for the Jordan 2009. All of those inspirations are disparate departures from the sport of basketball but are appropriated and infused into the legacy of Jordan Brand and in turn the sport of basketball by the wearers of the shoes. It is inspiration and creativity like this that keeps design fresh. There is no need for these departures but by challenging yourself as a designer you expand your palette as well as your range. It is like an opera singer experimenting with hardcore rap. It develops an appreciation for all things because all things we come in contact with have been designed. Everything is inspiration and inspiration is everywhere. Creativity lies within all of us, but it is the creativity that surrounds us that propels us.