Often, we find ourselves unsure of where to begin or stuck in the middle of the creative process.
It can feel like every idea we come up with has already been done, leaving us doubting whether we can create something truly original.
This kind of thinking can quickly lead to discouragement or even the temptation to give up entirely.
At times, we might compare ourselves to other designers, believing they’re far more talented and that success is out of reach, especially when we’re just starting our journey.
But it’s important to remember that every successful designer was once a beginner, navigating the same doubts and challenges.
This post will explore various places and methods that can help you overcome artistic blockages.
Whether you’re an experienced designer facing a creative block or someone new to design looking for a starting point, you’ll find valuable tips and ideas to kickstart your creative journey.
Books
Starting with the classics, one great approach is to explore books on topics that interest you.
My number one tip: you don’t need to know a foreign language to understand visuals.
Books in other languages can be an untapped source of inspiration, as pictures often speak for themselves.
To find these, use tools like Google Translate to translate keywords into other languages, then paste them into Google to search for books, or even use AI to generate a list of recommendations.
You can see my post for the best design books here.
Additionally, forums like Reddit can be useful. Searching for “The Best Books For… Reddit” allows you to explore discussions and reviews that can help you decide which book to pick.
Remember, inspiration doesn’t always have to come from design or drawing books.
Even novels or storybooks can spark fresh ideas or concepts by engaging your imagination.
Designing is an emotional process—you need to feel it and enjoy the journey to create something truly unique.
Movies/TV Series
How often have you found yourself captivated by the styling and wardrobe choices in movies or tv series?
Recently, I watched a Turkish series, Yasak Elma, and the standout element for me was the stunning clothing choices, particularly for the character Ender.
Her outfits were so striking that they left a lasting impression.
Inspiration doesn’t have to be limited to clothes and style, though.
You can also draw from the themes, concepts, or overall atmosphere of a story to influence your designs.
Whether it’s a character’s elegance, the mood of a scene, or even the setting, these elements can spark unique ideas and lead you in exciting creative directions.
An interesting tip I like to use when looking for TV series with great styling choices, especially Korean and Chinese dramas, is to focus on stories featuring very wealthy characters.
These characters are often portrayed with a high level of sophistication, and the wardrobe choices reflect their status.
The clothes and styling are carefully selected to depict their opulence and personality, offering a rich source of inspiration for fashion design.
Music Videos
When I’m working on anything, I always play music in the background.
Not only does it make the process more engaging, but we also know that music has a profound impact on our emotions and creativity.
It can help set the tone and bring depth to whatever you’re designing.
One great tip is to find music that reflects the atmosphere or concept you’re working on.
You’ll often come across POV playlists on platforms like YouTube, which are curated to capture specific moods or themes.
I personally enjoy watching K-pop music videos, especially their award performances, because they always tell a story and create a magical experience that gives you goosebumps.
Many K-pop artists use their music videos to convey deeper messages, incorporating clues and special symbols into the visuals.
Whether or not you’re a fan of K-pop, it’s fascinating to study their marketing strategies and how they’ve managed to build such a massive following in recent years.
My recommendation is to at least watch a few K-pop music videos—search for “aesthetic K-pop MVs.”
Pay attention to their color schemes, atmosphere, and overall concept.
The variety of ideas they showcase can offer great inspiration for your own creative work.
Symbols
A great idea is to look for symbols to incorporate into your designs.
For example, if your concept revolves around the sea or ocean, you could explore symbols like anchors, seahorses, and shells.
These elements can be integrated into your designs as prints, patterns, or embroidery.
In my post here, I mentioned the book Fashion Details: 4000 Drawings which can serve as inspiration for the shape and structure of your design.
Once you have that foundation, you can add symbols and details that will make your design truly unique and stand out.
Pinterest/Social Media
Pinterest is an amazing resource that has become essential for any artist.
You can explore different posts and save pins for later, allowing you to easily keep track of your ideas.
My tip is to always dig deeper because, from my experience, searching for a keyword doesn’t always give the best results.
However, when I find something suitable and click on it, it leads me to new pins, and with every click, I receive better recommendations as I go further.
Additionally, social media platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and others are excellent not only for design inspiration but also for tracking trends and crafting a marketing strategy for your designs.
For anyone dealing with artistic block!
Dealing with an artistic block can feel frustrating, but remember that creativity isn’t something that can be forced—it comes and goes in waves.
Be kind to yourself and allow your ideas to flow naturally.
Sometimes stepping away from your work, even for a short time, can help reset your mind and spark new inspiration.
Embrace the process, and trust that the breakthrough will come when you least expect it.
Every artist has been there, and it’s through these moments of stillness that we often discover our most unique and powerful creations.
Keep going—you’re closer to your next big idea than you think!
This post was from fashiondesignbase.com , where I discuss everything about fashion and its presence in music and series/dramas.
Additionally, if you’re a fashion designer or illustrator, I offer to write a post for you for free to help promote your work.
Let’s support fellow artists around the world!
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