Cardinal Connections

CreativityNOW!Ten tricks to motivateyour muse

Designs should be engaging, informative, and memorable.

slide shows • posters • newsletters • brochures • ads • handouts • lessonswebsites • documentation • logos • banners • flyers • interactive exercisesgames • certificates • table signs • business cards • t-shirts • videos • forms

announcements • invitations • programs • signs • novelties • booths • seminarsCD and DVD covers • tickets • product labels • packaging labels • grant proposals

animations • point-of-purchase displays • resumes • articles for submission

InvolveInformInspire

Organize project files for inspiration

• Preserve original files; copy to the project file and work on the copy

• Store original images and drawings in one place

• Look for ideas from images and drawings you already have, to use as is, to modify, or to inspire

• Look for ideas from projects you’ve completed

• Use a Media Manager such as Adobe Bridge or Picasa, or the thumbnail view in My Computer to view multiple images all at once

Organize project files for inspiration

Create and maintain a library

• Copy project pieces into individual files and store them in one place

• Search your hard drive for .JPG’s in the Programs directory

• Look for ideas by viewing your library

Creative CommonsGoogle search for images: govhttp://www.graphics.com/modules.php?name=Web_Linkshttp://www.freedigitalphotos.net/http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtmlhttp://www.loc.gov/index.htmlhttp://www.sxc.hu/category/1256http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/http://photobucket.comhttp://www.freegreatpicture.com/wallpaper-gallery

Create and maintain a list of resource URLs

• Use Bookmarks or Favorites; set up folders for categories

• Use Word or Notepad to add photo credits and other info such as the terms of use

http://www.designparagon.com/http://www.ictlic.eq.edu.au/veryflashchristmas/veryflashchristmascs55.htmlhttp://www.wildbillssoda.com/index.aspxhttp://dribbble.com/http://colorschemedesigner.com/http://designspiration.net/http://kuler.adobe.com/#themes/rating?time=30http://mashable.com/2009/03/16/design-inspiration/http://www.smashingmagazine.com/http://www.deviantart.com/

Search for stimulus

• Create a system to keep track of inspirations as you find them – colors, layouts, concepts

• Search for images in Google -- vintage signs in a Google image search will display a style, for example

• Search for images in Google by using descriptive words -- vintage, modern, contemporary, state-of-the-art, upbeat, dramatic, art deco

Use typography as art

Enhance a photo

Enhance a photo

Look at the Big Picture

InvolveInformInspire

Make it personal

Make it personal

Ask a question

Look at the Big Picture

Make a comparison to a familiar concept

• Growth: a seedling becomes a flower, a tree becomes a forest, a person becomes a crowd

• Progress: architecture, blueprints, frame; measuring cup, rain gauge, yardstick, ruler; building, bricks, doors, windows, floors

• Transition: movie transitions, seasons, clock – passage of time, temperature – barometer

• Results: sunrise – sunset, rainy day – sunny day, falling leaves

• Journey: road signs, construction zone, transportation – air, auto, rail

• Explanation: tell a story - book, turning pages, chapter beginning – ending, Once Upon a Time

Make a comparison to a familiar concept

Make a comparison to a familiar concept

Follow a theme

Follow a theme

Use familiar objects

Use familiar objects

Ten tricks to motivate your muse

1. Organize and maintain image and illustration files2. Create and maintain your own library3. Create and maintain a list of URLs4. Create and maintain inspirational resources5. Use typography as art6. Make it personal7. Ask a question8. Compare to a familiar concept / use a theme9. Use a familiar object10. Enhance a photo

Involve • Inform • Inspire