Most designers tend to underestimate the importance of their sources of inspiration. For some, it might be a snug café in Brooklyn or Paris. For others, it could be their favorite couch with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
If you’re dealing with creative block, try going back to a state of mind that allowed you to let your imaginations run wild. Go back to the place which created that comfortable atmosphere to let you successfully solve problems.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite artists and illustrate why I am obsessed with their work. My hope with this article is to incentivize designers to break out of their day-to-day workflow by providing additional sources of motivation.
These are creators who have encouraged me throughout my design journey. Their work will unquestionably get your creative juices flowing and provide you with your daily dose of inspiration.
Ready for the ride?
Calvin is a master with colors. His unique approach to color transitions and his dynamic execution of vector compositions is what makes him such an exceptional artist.
Calvin’s designs immediately strike out as simple yet chic. His interactive mural immediately conveys its intended meaning by avoiding constricted composition, monotony, and unnecessary details.
It was Calvin who initially made me realize the importance of colors in a design. His work typically avoids the failings of modern flat illustration with the use of such a personalized color palette.
Designers know they’ve achieved perfection when there’s nothing you can eliminate from their work, and Calvin’s work has, without a doubt, reached that stage.
Mike, the legend, needs no introduction. For those of you who’ve been missing out, however, Mike’s a creative geek from Prague.
Mike always adds a very personalized touch to his designs, so much that I can recognize his designs from miles away.
The way Mike makes use of textures along with bright and expressive visualization of contrasting materials is what designers should aim for in their 3D design.
As you might have noticed, Mike leverages a combination of typography, 3D illustrations, lighting, shadows, and textures to create eye candy solutions for web and mobile apps.
His portfolio exemplifies how consistency not only improves one’s work but also emphasizes one’s individuality. Be sure to check out his older work to see the progression of his design journey.
I simply cannot get enough of his work!
Andrés Requena’s work is so vivid that it clearly reflects the sheer amount of effort that went into creating these works of art.