A friend asked me recently where I find inspiration, and it’s one of those questions that feels simple until you actually try to answer it. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that inspiration isn’t one thing for me. It shifts depending on what I’m creating, and I’ve learned to let those different sources exist without forcing them into the same box.
Design inspiration
Design inspiration is often the most intentional for me.
I’m drawn to brands like Sézane, & Other Stories, and Aesop. Not just because they’re beautiful, but because they’re strong and distinct. They know exactly who they are, and that shows up consistently across everything they do.
What I pay attention to is how all the pieces come together. The tone of voice, the pacing, the balance between product and storytelling. Nothing feels random. Every element supports the same point of view.
I also spend time browsing platforms like Behance, where I can explore a wide range of projects across disciplines. It’s a helpful way to see how different designers approach layout, branding, and storytelling in different contexts.
That level of clarity and consistency is something I’m always aiming for in my own work.
Inspiration in everyday moments
Some of the most valuable inspiration doesn’t come from a specific source at all.
It shows up in small, unplanned moments. A magazine spread in a waiting room, a walk outside, the way light hits a building, or a detail that catches my attention when I’m not actively looking for anything.
This kind of inspiration isn’t something you can plan for, but it’s often where the most interesting ideas begin. It tends to feel more personal and more unexpected.
Style inspiration
I’ve recently found myself more inspired by fashion, mainly through Instagram, Pinterest, and a new app I’ve been using called Whering.
It’s less about copying anything, and more about noticing shapes, layers, patterns, and colour, then figuring out how to make it my own.
It’s less about searching, more about noticing
For a long time, I thought inspiration was something you had to go out and find.
Now, I see it more as something you stay open to.
Sometimes it’s intentional. Sometimes it’s accidental. But the common thread is attention. Noticing what draws you in, what you come back to, what sticks.
That’s usually where the good stuff starts.