3 answers
Melissa
Student
Canton, Georgia
5
Questions
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How do art diectors come up with new ideas?
where do you get your inspiration from?
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3 answers
Abdul Bunni
Senior Visual Designer/Art Director
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Abdul’s Answer
Inspiration is everywhere, but at least for me and the other designers I've worked with; the favorite spots for inspo are Pinterest, Behance, blogs that share ads and campaigns, and following other designers/ad agencies on social media. This way you're always up to speed on all new trends and styles in design.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Melissa,
I am not an art director but I do tasks virtually that are similar to what Art Directors do in the real world - like creating a conceptual vision of what something will look and feel like. I am an Instructional Designer and I create courses that often have to weave together with a single vision - look, feel, colors, tone, etc. I am also in my life a writer and a photographer. And I believe that all of those roles that I play have the same creative core - seeing the world around you in a new way. So what do I mean? I mean go and do something or see something that you know nothing about. Learn about different styles of any visual media - movies, interior design, painting, music, clothing design, even walks through nature. Learn what you like and what you don't. Go back in time and study the history of those same elements. What were movies like in the 1950's? What were the popular color pallettes at homes in the 1980's? What is the difference in colors and textures between a desert, rainforest, wet lands, highlands? Each place you visit - whether in a book or in real life - is going to trigger ideas. And you may not use those ideas for years, but at least they are there. As a creative, the one thing that I would recommend is to be curious and always be learning about something that you know nothing about. Even learning another language can give you insights into different ways to communicate and how other cultures use language differently than we do in English. Some of the most beautiful phrases of love I have heard and understood in another language, a way of communicating that has not clear explanation in English.
Good luck with your career,
Gloria
I am not an art director but I do tasks virtually that are similar to what Art Directors do in the real world - like creating a conceptual vision of what something will look and feel like. I am an Instructional Designer and I create courses that often have to weave together with a single vision - look, feel, colors, tone, etc. I am also in my life a writer and a photographer. And I believe that all of those roles that I play have the same creative core - seeing the world around you in a new way. So what do I mean? I mean go and do something or see something that you know nothing about. Learn about different styles of any visual media - movies, interior design, painting, music, clothing design, even walks through nature. Learn what you like and what you don't. Go back in time and study the history of those same elements. What were movies like in the 1950's? What were the popular color pallettes at homes in the 1980's? What is the difference in colors and textures between a desert, rainforest, wet lands, highlands? Each place you visit - whether in a book or in real life - is going to trigger ideas. And you may not use those ideas for years, but at least they are there. As a creative, the one thing that I would recommend is to be curious and always be learning about something that you know nothing about. Even learning another language can give you insights into different ways to communicate and how other cultures use language differently than we do in English. Some of the most beautiful phrases of love I have heard and understood in another language, a way of communicating that has not clear explanation in English.
Good luck with your career,
Gloria
Natalie Meeks
Content Director
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Like other responders have said, inspiration can literally come from anywhere. For art, sometimes I would go to museums to get inspired, but it could even be as simple as looking at different murals in your city or spending time in the park. It can also sometimes depend on what you are looking for inspiration for. When I was working on a shoe store brand, I would look at fashion trends online or on Pinterest for inspiration on how to dress my talent, etc. You could even follow artists that you know of on social media to get inspired by their work.