Davis Dna DesignsWhen you need motivation, look for inspiration
We’ve all been there one time or another. It starts with an idea. A brain wave. That lightbulb moment when you realise what you want to do… ‘What you want to put your efforts into.
But no matter how passionate you are, how strongly you believe in your idea or how much time and effort you put into it, sometimes motivation it can be hard to maintain.
For example, there have been occasions where I have come up with ideas. Whether it be for a story, a design, a blog and I’ve gone onto put my efforts into that – but then later down the line, I find myself losing motivation and I have often wondered why that is.
Motivation is a fragile thing and it can be lost in so many different ways. Fear not though as I’ve come to realise (slowly but surely) that motivation can just as easily be gained – and inspiration will forever be the key.
When you lose motivation, people may tell you to ask yourself to ‘remember why you do it’, and that is good advice but instead of just asking yourself, look around at the people who inspire you. Observe them and ask yourself, ‘what motivates them?’, and ‘what is it that inspires them?’.
Never feel discouraged if you find that you don’t feel motivated, it just means that you have a choice to make. If you choose to give up on that idea that inspired you in the first place, then the fault lies with you, but if you choose to seek inspiration (‘light at the end of the tunnel), then you’ve moved to that next level.
The fact is, we’re all capable of creating great things and the people who inspire us also remind us that greatness is very real – and very possible.
We’re all aware that inspiration can present itself in many weird and wonderful ways – but know that this will inevitably lead to fuelling your own motivation. Below are a few things that inspired me this past week. Check them out.
Mr Cup’s 2012 letterpress calendar
Fabien Barral is a graphic designer & art director based in France who designed this incredible limited edition letterpress calendar. The attention to detail on each design is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Simply astonishing work.
Photos as seen on letterpress-calendar.com
Mirella Marie’ 366 photography project
Mirella Marie started her inspiring 366 photography project on Jan 1st. A unique project that see’s Mirella post a photo a day on her blog until the end of this leap year. Dedication is the word I would use and this project is refreshing to see. Check out her progress.
Photos as seen on mirellamarie.com
The L’Odyssée de Cartier Advert
I came across this on David Airey’ blog first. An incredible advert by L’Odyssée de Cartier. Simply one of the best I’ve ever seen. David’s post also contains a behind the scene look on how the ad was made. Well worth a look. (Check out the ad in full-screen + HD).
photo as seen on David Airey’ blog
How do you find motivation?
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Hi Jamie,
The calendar looks delicious. Fabien has some letterpress coasters for sale as well so I might get some of those to tide me over until next year’s calendar (if there is one)!
Thank you for the mention! Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated with this project because it’s so easy to slack off and not post anything for a few days then come back and post a few photos in one hit (haven’t done so as yet but I’ve been tempted!) – but that defeats the purpose of ‘one photo a day’. Fortunately it has become a daily habit for me and I’m very pleased that I’ve made it to #100.
When I need motivation I look at the world around me – there’s so much going on and inspiration is everywhere. What also motivates me is when people like my work and find it inspiring, so thank you. :)
Unfortunately design isn’t as instant as photography, so when I’m in a funk I step away from the computer and turn to books and magazines for inspiration, and sometimes I draw to keep the creative juices flowing. Design-wise, this has become my holy grail of inspiration: http://www.typographicposters.com/
“wish you have an inspiring day.”
MM
Hey Mirella, the calendar is insane. I’d recommend getting anything done by Fabien :)
I can imagine it is tempting to feel less motivated at times when it comes to your project as it is every day, but that’s why I use the word dedication. It’s good to hear that it’s become a daily habit also, that must help a lot.
I checked out that link, some extremely cool posters on there. Thanks for sharing the link and your thoughts. Oh, and congrats on reaching #100 by the way.