Inspiration: Where I Look When I’m Out of Ideas

Where I Look When I’m Out of Ideas

Every designer hits blocks. The screen feels blank, the references stale, and nothing feels right. When that happens, I don’t wait for inspiration — I go looking for it.

Over time, I’ve built a set of go-to places that help me recharge my creative thinking. Some are obvious, others are a bit unexpected — but all of them help me reconnect with design in a more instinctive, curious way.

Online Sources I Keep Going Back To

1. Pinterest – But Only for Mood, Not Layouts
I use Pinterest like a color and tone explorer. I search for keywords like “editorial minimalism”, “vintage gradients”, or “brutalist UI”. It’s not about copying layouts — it’s about collecting feelings.

2. Typewolf & Fonts In Use
Nothing gets me back in flow like seeing type done right. These sites remind me how much power a single font pairing or hierarchy decision can have.

3. Behance — For Structure and Case Study Flow
While I’m cautious about trend overload, I check Behance when I want to reset how I’m telling a story. How are others framing a concept? What’s their rhythm between image and text?

4. Are.na
It’s raw, unconventional, and often weird — which is exactly what I need when everything starts looking the same.

Offline Inspiration

Everyday Objects
Sometimes, packaging at a grocery store or a good signage system gives me more ideas than hours online. I take photos of street graphics, color palettes in markets, and handmade type on walls. Design is everywhere if you're tuned in.

When I’m Stuck, I Start Small

Sometimes, I stop trying to solve the whole project. I open Figma or Photoshop and just make a single text lockup. Or a color block. Or a mock banner. Movement usually brings momentum.

Thanks for reading.