“The reality is that it’s easier to be inspired than it is to create an original idea and we are hardwired to take the path of least resistance. It’s easier to jump onto a design inspiration gallery site than it is to sit down with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil. It’s easier to follow a pattern than it is to test-drive new options. It’s easier to copy a style or idea that works than try something that might miss the mark or outright fail. Above all, it’s cheaper mentally for us to rally around what’s already been done and emulate it…”
The above excerpt is from a brilliant post by Owen over at Viget.com. Well worth the read. Do it.
Personally, I couldn’t agree more. How much time is the right amount to stroll thru galleries, troll creative sites, and watch online videos?
And what about you?
Are you too busy getting inspired by the work of others to create your own?
Do you read about the failures of others, so you don’t have to try?
Is the convenience of information actually reducing your willingness to struggle to make something worthwhile?
I’ve never really seen inspiration as a “bad” thing until reading this article. Initially, I suppose I relied on it when creativity waned. Eventually it became my go-to means for producing something I like simply because it was easy, fast, and safe. No wonder I lost interest… all my victories were really nothing more than recreating someone else’s victories.
If there’s a place for inspiration, I think it’s best left at being inspired to be original. Thanks for sharing the article.
I’ve worked out of a series of no’s. No to exquisite light, no to apparent compositions, no to the seduction of poses or narrative. And all these no’s force me to the “yes.” I have a white background. I have the person I’m interested in and the thing that happens between us. – Richard Avedon – 1994
Thanks for posting Chase, I had a nice “think” on this, I ended up being inspired by RA, tomorrow I shall “do”.
This reminds me of a quote from author and speaker Jim Rohn, “Let the end of life find you climbing up a new mountain, not sliding down an old one.”
Its so true that it is easier to copy than create, to look for inspiration, rather than build inspiration. I think the more creatives work at making a living creating the greater the danger of loosing why we are creative.
Its so easy to get into ruts because there is so much to do networking, making appointments, completing job assignments, making sure everyone under you has done their job. At the end of the day you can be just too tired to create, so you copy. Make a few changes and call it creativity.
I agree with the author, I think the best thing we can do for ourselves is to grab the blank paper and pencil and see what comes.
I totally like what Jason Fried (purposefully small successful software company owner) author of: Rework book says about “avoiding information overload” regarding productivity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4xZM2Xhc-I&feature=channel