Inspirational Ideas

Today's world is so flooded with images and information that only the freshest new designs get noticed. But dominating trends and carbon-copy successes often trap designers in been there, done that mediocrity. Inspiration = Ideas helps artists kick their work out of the clone zone and journey into new, uncharted visual territory. The book introduces readers to found design, where inspiration flows not from successful finished designs, but from textures, colors, patterns, and primitive and offbeat imagery. From indigenous design (Brazilian canned good labels), traditional patterns (the hennaed hands of Indian brides), and captivating textures and materials (ikat paper) -- to examples of current local commercial design on simple things like food packaging -- this well-traveled sourcebook brings an endless stream of rare global images and ideas straight to designer's doorsteps. Complete with frequent sidebars that explore how successful designers are inspired by and have used found design in their work, this exotic visual tour will enable artists to bring their work from common and bland to original and beautiful.