Is inspiration bullshit?
Design and creativity. Is it hard work or just inspiration? A teacher I had in interior architecture told me that waiting for inspiration was bullshit, that it didn’t just “come to you”. Well, I don’t care what he says, inspiration comes to me at certain times, and so far I haven’t figured out how to choose what time. Also worth mentioning that some teacher doesn’t exactly inspire you to do it your way, but their way.
Even though I need some structure to create a design, I also need freedom for my mind to wander, for my intuition to take part of the decision. Yes, it’s important to think about all the practical things in a design, but sometimes you just gotta let go and float with the creativity, not make up problems to solve. Imagine if we just focused on following our intuition just a little bit more, who knows, maybe even a boring office job would be inspired? When I studied interior architecture, I found the most meaningful moments to be at a coffee shop talking to a friend or just looking at people, with a sketchbook or napkin in front of me. That’s why inspiration can’t be set between 8-4, at least not to me!
For me, I float when I trust my intuition, but sometimes I forget. I think too much about the details of a design, which at one point is necessary, sure. But sometimes just looking up at the sky is more important. Empty the human structured brain, the linear mind, and allow creativity and playfulness to take its turn, to just let it flow!
Bullshit or not, inspiration comes when it comes, and when it’s there, you know it.
All rights reserved, Anne Onsøien
p.s. In this book, Anne, Wayne Dyer refers numerous times to Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov. You’re on the right track!
I agree. As a Graphic Designer, my best project ideas do not always come to me when I’m “at the desk.” Here’s an idea for you — If you have a particular issue or problem you’re working on – of any kind, really – you can often ask for help as you go into your sleep/dream state. Be specific and ask that you have some kind of solution when you awake. Then don’t jump right out of bed in the morning. Lay with your eyes closed and see what comes to you. That works sometimes. Inspiration is the magic of what we do and has nothing to do with demands. Good luck!
That’s great, I’ll try that tonight, thanks! I see that you’re reading Wayne Dyer, he is one of my favourites, I listen to Hay House radio, but I haven’t read anything of him yet, now I think I will! So thank you for all the inspiration!
You’re welcome. One evening when I was flipping channels and really ready to turn off the TV, I came across Wayne Dyer’s PBS special on Wishes Fulfilled – no coincidences, right? And ordered the book from Amazon. It reinforces so much of what I’ve been working on myself, and I recommend it highly. I’m actually back in it again!
That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, I really need that now!
I always notice when inspiration is NOT there
Haha, that’s a good point;-)
I love your spoonflower fabrics, Anne! I opened an acct there recently and am trying some of my paintings on fabric.
Thank you so much, it’s really good quality fabric, I’ve ordered! Can you send me your link to Spoonflower, would love to see;-)
anne—-it’s feng*shui*katy but i don’t think i have an open store yet
thanks Katy, ok, but good luck then! Lots of good vibes from me
thanks! you can see the painting images, though, if you’re interested. it’s the Fortunate Flower Series in my portfolio at http://www.katyallgeyer.com
really cool, I like the mix with Feng Shui, powerful!
thank you! and thanks for following my blog. i love yours too.
Thank you for following, Anne! I’m glad you found your own way.
I’m looking forward to reading what you’ve written and what you will write.
My pleasure, hope we can give eachother lots of inspiration!
Design and creativity is hard work, but not harder than any other work. It needs inspiration, but any action in life, professional or not, grows out of soil nurtured with inspiration. Inspiration is like a fertilizer. Your teacher is right. Waiting for inspiration to show up is unrealistic. One has to add a bit of “fertilizer”. Inspiration is the result of impressions and inputs from things you watch, read, listen to or whatever. When your brain is done digesting the inputs, something magnificently comes out… the result. The result cannot be forced. It’s will show when it’s ready. Like a cake baking in the owen. I find sometimes three Elephant beers can speed up the cooking time a lot.
I think you ‘re definitly right the result can’t be forced! Thank you for your input, it’s always good to see your side of the view;-) thank you Anette!
I can understand how it is so tough to find inspiration. The moment is so abstract and pleasurable that we forget everything else. I find it most effective when I just write down the idea in the simplest words, attach whatever variables that triggered it, and date it. For your professor to say ‘waiting for inspiration is bullshit’ is an ineffective way of teaching. I think he’s just pushing you to find a format good enough to live by when you work for others. But when inspiration arrives in your work, It worth all the hassle. I love your blogging.
Best wishes for your artistic endeavors.
I think it’s a great idea to attach the triggers to the ideas, thank you! My teachers and professors have said a lot of ineffective things, but thank god I found my own way;-) thanks for sharing, I’m looking forward to following…