“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?
As Paul MacCready, designer of the Gossamer Albatross and other unique aircraft said: “daydreaming is my most productive activity”.
I drive an old Jeep CJ, top off, loud enough that radio or conversation does not happen – it’s where my best ideas occur – on the road.
think of apple and Microsoft, two of the biggest companies in the world….apple was “influenced” by IBM trash and Microsoft was influenced by apple. Neither of them started off with a totally unique original idea, they took inspiration from what someone else did and used their own creativity and personality to make something unique from something that already existed.
The mp3 player and cell phone were not original ideas 5 years ago…but apple and blackberry took the inspiration from them and using their own uniqueness, they made them huge.
Being “inspired” and “being completely original” are not mutually exclusive, especially in art. What matters is using your own personality and creativity to take something and make it your own. even the television is simply something that was inspired by something that already existed…the “play”.
Pow! You got me with this one.
There is a lot of stuff out there that is very samey, but there are also a lot of original individual artists very much lead by their creativity. 🙂
Whilst a lot of work is definitely inspiring, for me it prompts the “what ifs” creativitiy rather than desire to do more of the same.