As artists and designers, we turn ideas and concepts into reality when we create. For example, we may express our feelings through paintings, or design commercial products to improve our living standards. It is obvious that inspiration is essential to creation. An idea may appear in seconds literally and it can make dramatical changes to the world.

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However, have you ever felt lost while creating your artwork? We face bottlenecking from time to time and when that happens, it is probably the right time to take a rest. The spectators see the chess game better than the players, trying to relax is likely to benefit you. We are constantly under pressure because of this ever-evolving society. Also, we receive massive amounts of information daily, which challenges our ability to think independently. You can try to recompose yourself and observe your work from different perspectives, as this can help you to think differently and to discover new possibilities. Here is a classic example: is the glass half full or half empty?

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Perspective changes your point of view and opinions. At the same time, it shows your attitude. When we are stuck, we can try to find solutions from our surroundings. It can be anything from a random image, an object or even a sound that inspires us. Therefore, it is important to continually observe. For commercial projects, artists and designers need to consider clients’ requests. After analysing the task, they apply their experiences and knowledge to the designs.
 

Generating an idea costs almost nothing, but its potential value can be massive. We may not know when it comes, so we should be prepared for it. Other than being observant, it is always good to learn various artistic techniques and to collect materials for creation. You can try to keep on thinking and be alerted to your surroundings at the same time. For example, you can keep yourself updated from reading news and magazines. Picking up new hobbies help too, since that will encourage you to explore new things and to meet more people. Also, it is important to listen to others’ opinions and criticisms. As an exercise, you can observe items in a shopping mall, critically analyse them then try to improve them. Other people’s artworks can be great sources of inspiration as well, but you should try to avoid copying, because plagiarism can cause major issues.

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Solid fundamentals take time and effort to nurture. Great artists and designers are able learn and merge new experiences with their works, take a step further than what people normally would. Try to be inspired by your surroundings and you are on the way to create your next masterpiece!