I find that I get most of my inspiration from things around me. I love CSS galleries and seeing all the amazing things other people around the world are doing, but I find that when I am just looking at and being inspired by web sites, all I can think of are elements that other people have created. So I just wanted to share ten things that have inspired me that are at least somewhat non-web related. Some are new, some are old, but all are things that I think are amazing.
Stranger Than Fiction (opening sequence)
I have been obsessed with this opening sequence in Stranger Than Fiction since I first saw the movie. There is something about information design that is so intriguing, and I love how they have taken it and placed it along side of the everyday life of the main character.
Mastercard “Shopping” Commercial
I stumbled upon this Mastercard commercial a couple of weeks ago, and I think they have done another great job continuing on their priceless campaign. This one is incredibly cute, almost like something out of a Harry Potter movie. Flying origami cranes, toys that move and dance around on their shelves, and great chalk board signs that draw themselves as the customer walks by.
The Fall Movie (trailer)
The Fall is an independent movie created by Tarsem Singh that appeared in the DC area around the beginning of the summer. When I saw it in the theatre I think my mouth was bone dry by the end. It is filmed in eighteen countries around the world and may be one of the most visually stimulating movies I have seen. Definitely one you don’t want to miss.
Nadyne Wood
Nadyne is an old roommate and friend whose work I have always admired. I love the detail in each of her pieces, and the fact that they are primarily black and white with a small splash of color adds even more interest.
Two Fish Illustration
Near the beginning of the year Veerle did an interview with an illustrator named Jacob Souva. Since that time I have gone back to his website often. I love his sketchy style, the texture he adds into his work in Photoshop, and some of the clean lines that make it almost look like cut paper.
Obama Print
I found this piece, by Scott Hansen of ISO50, somewhere in my web travels and am so sad that it is actually sold out. I find myself not being able to take my eyes off of it but continue to circle around it admiring all of the wonderful details. Let’s be honest though: Hansen has some great material to work with in Obama.
Flat Earth
Flat Earth is a newish brand that still hasn’t appeared in all grocery stores yet. I love their logo and their brand because not only is it cute but they add humor into their advertising. On their website they have what other people in other countries say in place of “When Pigs Fly”. For example, in Poland they say, when a cactus grows on my arm–ouch. Did I mention that their product is just as much fun as their logo?
Vlad Studios
Vlad does have a wide variety of desktop wallpapers but I enjoy many of them because they are whimsical and wonderfully textured.
Donna Hay Cookbooks
I am incredibly inspired by cooking and baking. There is something about the process, the smells, and the beauty of food that makes me love and appreciate it. Donna Hay is a food editor in Australia who has produced a number of amazing cookbooks. The recipes are great, but what I love most of all are the beautiful and simple photos taken of the food and the culinary experience.
Megan Jaegerman, courtesy of Edward Tufte
Love information design? Then I am sure you are familiar with Edward Tufte. In July of 07 he wrote a post about one of his colleges at The New York Times, Megan Jaegerman. She creates some of the best news graphics for the venerable paper, and it is amazing how much graphics add to the understanding of so many stories. Where would we ever be without them?
17 Comments
Arthur Brown 10/20 1:34am
Wow. This is a great list. Thanks for putting it together.
Aaron 10/23 8:09pm
I LOVE the intro to stranger than fiction. It made my little heart warm knowing someone out there in the world shares the same sentiment.
Kevin 10/23 11:44pm
I have never heard of The Fall. Thanks for sharing things that inspire you. This site has alot of inspirational videos.
http://www.ted.com/index.php
Ali Felski 10/24 8:40am
Kevin, yes I have discovered TED talks as well and love them. My favorites so far are the one from North Korea and the woman who conveys what it was like for her to have a stroke. So intriguing.
Lubes 10/24 11:32pm
hello, I just discovered your blog today via Smashing Magazine and I wanted to let you know that I was so completely blown away by how beautiful the design is that I had to leave a comment somewhere.
For beginners to web and graphic design (i.e. me) it’s a tremendous inspiration.
Thanks for being awesome.
Sean 10/25 4:54pm
I absolutely love your blog! I’ll bookmark you! If you have twitter, my twitter is twitter.com/penflare
rgb255 10/27 11:16am
Your blog is beautiful and I love it.
Fubiz 10/27 11:51am
Beautiful template.
cars 10/27 12:54pm
Hey, saw your blog in Smashin Magazine and WOW! You totally deserve the feature. :) I love the design so much and the simple animation just adds all the more charm to it.
I also love this compilation you’ve made. :) It’s in the simple creations of others that we find inspiration sometimes. It reminds us of how creative we can really be. :)
Joe 10/28 11:13pm
Nooooooooo what happens? How does the wrist watch change everything? does the battery run out? :’( I want to see that movie now! hahaha
Lovely website by the way, your blog is amazing, interesting stuff :)
Joe.
Joe 10/28 11:49pm
Well I just watched the first half hour of the film and it’s great so far! I’ve also ordered it online so I’ll wait until it is delivered to see the rest :)
Another great movie is ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’, have you seen that? Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, such a good film. Everybody seems psychotic, haha, it’s quite weird but well worth watching over and over again! :)
Ryan Bollenbach 10/29 3:07am
I agree!!
There is some really awesome pieces in this.
I love seeking inspiration through other mediums.
Jin 10/30 5:11pm
Hey Ali. I stumbled upon your site today. It looks very lovely.
We have something in common. I too live in DC area and work for the government..
/cheers.
Valeria 11/01 10:17am
Found them wonderful!
At this time, I would really want to watch The Fall Movie: it seems pretty.
Keep up the good work.
p.s.: Wonderful, wonderful site design.
Savannah 11/02 10:01am
Thanks for sharing your interesting collection of inspirations and by being inspirational yourself.
Regina Hager 11/06 10:05am
Hey, just wanted to say I your blog was inspirational to me! I think inspiration is a tricky thing, especially when one’s environment isn’t creatively stimulating (I go to school in the middle of a cornfield). But I thought your blog was interesting in that you find inspiration in so many different, kinda random places. Keep it up!!
Sabrina 11/14 7:42am
Beautiful site! Thanks for sharing your art and your inspiration.