Nature and how to get inspired

For us the designers, sitting in front of a screen most of our time is not only harmful for our eyes and of course our phisique but it’s also bad for another thing called inspiration. I know that you are already subscribed to all the css galleries out there.
You think that this way you are covered? Probably your conscious is covered, but stop and think for a little. By following galleries all the time and inspire only from them, you end up copying things that someone else already did. You don’t innovate and if you want to stand out of the growd you must!

The best way to inspire is defenately away from any screen and the internet. Countryside is the best choice to step away from all the work madness. A couple of days off from twitter and rss is ideal to clean up your mind. Take a weekend off and leave the big city (if you already reading this away from the big city lights, then you can concider yourself, a lucky man).

At this time of the year, here in Greece, we have the Holidays for the Orthodox Easter. Traditionally we travel to our villages to meet relatives and spend some time away. Refuel our batteries. We are also very lucky that these days, nature is at its best period. Spring. Everything is in color. The best time to go out, take photographs, breath some fresh air, walk for some time alone and think nothing.

PUT ON YOUR SNICKERS

Take a walk on the “wild”. Choose early morning hours to take a peaceful walk alone. If you can, wake up early enough to see the sunrise. It’s a magical experience! Only by looking the sun and smelling the air can make you change the perspective of viewing things. Watch the sky colors before, during and after the sunrise. Watch the nature’s best colors schemes and take a photo of them. Save them into a repository so you can always look at them at your office.

Take a closer look on earth and sky colors. Nature can combine all the different colors so well together. Use these combinations. They are so natural, that every human eye (your visitor’s eyes) feel comfortable looking at them.

Try to observe and take photos of all the flowers you see in your path. Take photos as closer to the flower so you can capture better its colors. Use the drop tool to create unique colors schemes.

If you are lucky enough to see butterflies or any other small creature of nature, try to take also photos so you can have a lot of time later to taker a closer look. Butterflies have the best color schemes of nature. You can create a website’s colors just by looking at one butterfly.

After a couple of hours go back home, take a shower, let the water flow all over you, clean your mind and thoughts and enjoy a coffee (or any drink calms you) outside.

Spend some time thinking how blessed you are, for being able to enjoy all these.

ORGANIZE

Now that the sun is up in the sky, find a spot with a deep shadow, grab your sketchbook and start brainstorming. Write down anything that comes up. New project ideas, improvements for older ones, layout ideas etc.

Take a note of ANYTHING. You never know how this ideas will finally be. Have multiple starting points. You never know!

Have a light lunch and take a nap. Rest your body for a couple of hours. Every possible nap time is gold.

TIME FOR PEACE OF MIND

Wake up and wear your comfortable casual clothing. Take care of yourself and take your company for a peaceful walk. Both of you try to listen, not to talk. Watch the sunset. Now the sky has deeper colors, take again as many photos as possible. Warld looks different with the sunset color, more nostalgic.

After this walk go for a drink, here we are quite lucky to have a beach in the distance of 2km. The best way to end this day, is to have a drink next to the beach. Low lighting, slow music and a glass of your favorite drink.

My best scenario for this, is listening to the waves and leonard cohen’s voice served with a glass of Jack. Perfect match. I want to stay there forever and i think so you will.

Go back home and go to sleep without opening the tv.
You promised for a screen-free weekend.