On Inspiration and Honing Your Design Instincts.

Good morning peeps. How was everyone’s weekend? Awesome…? Ah, that’s great to hear!

I was very lucky to watch Powderfinger’s last ever gig in Sydney on Saturday night, which was part of their farewell tour – and I’ve got to tell you that it was a really amazing show. To be perfectly honest, I was never a huge fan of theirs, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen Powderfinger live. What can I say, I’m a late adopter (and a bit of an import). Had it not been for my brother who got the tickets months ago, and for Husband who’s been a true fan for many years, I would have completely missed this gig and been none the wiser. But I’m so glad I didn’t, cause it was so good to be in the crowd to farewell this legendary Australian band who delivered a flawless and emotionally charged performance.

I’ve always really loved watching people who are at the top of their game, who are absolutely exquisite at something, regardless of what that ‘something’ might be. I guess I’ve always hoped that, by witnessing awesomeness, it would somehow rub off on me and make me better at what I do. Does that make sense? In those moments, when I realise that I am being struck by the sheer brilliance of someone or something, I make a conscious effort to completely open up my heart and my mind, and absorb everything that’s going on in the hope that my creative battery can get charged by this source.

You see, I truly think that experiencing as many moments like this as often as possible makes one a better designer. Designers’ hearts and minds are vessels of all these experiences, and the spaces we create (in the case of interior designers) are the very places where these experiences can take place. The more inspiring experiences we expose ourselves to, the better we will become at creating outcomes that capture the essence of the Awesome.

Do you ever ask yourself how you design? As a designer, do you ever question your own process? Have you ever realised that many of the design decisions you make are done subconsciously? Sure, there is a huge amount of analysing and logic, complying with briefs, budgets, laws and standards etc, etc. But a huge part of design is based on instincts. And what is an instinct? It is a kind of a reflex based on our memories and experiences. Ok, I know that I’m simplifying it massively, but you get my drift. I guess what I’m really saying is that one can fine-tune and hone their “design instincts” based on the quality of their experiences and the types of things they expose themselves to.

So. What’s the point of all this I hear you say? I actually don’t really know. This post had a very different idea behind it when I started it, and it completely changed its course by the time I allowed all these words to come out. I feel like a medium… Ha ha ha! I’m kidding!

Seriously though, I’ve decided to share with you a random selection of images which, to me, capture the essence of inspiration and visual joy. Consider it a small gesture and a little contribution from me towards a happy, successful and inspiring week for you all.

x dana

p.s. We interrupt this regular program to bring you an important personal announcement.

Happy 35th wedding anniversary to my mum and dad! Hip-hip hooray! Thank you for falling in love 40-odd years ago, for getting married, for giving me the gift of life, for showing me what wholesome goodness is, and for always being there as an endless source of support and inspiration. Actually, there really are no words… And mum – thank you for reading my blog every day, even though computers and the internet aren’t really your thing.

Image credits in order of appearance:

1. Source unknown (sorry!), 2. Yoshikazu Yamagata via Material Concern, 3. Claudio Parmiggiani via acidolatte,  4. GRID art installation via Daily Tonic, 5. Eliot Lee Hazel, 6. Flickr