Finding design inspiration at home | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)
Figma designers argue that creative inspiration can come from ordinary activities, personal memories, online communities, and fields far removed from design. During periods of isolation or creative fatigue, making things, exploring unfamiliar subjects, and connecting with others can be more productive than forcing ideas. The central recommendation is to broaden creative inputs while avoiding direct imitation.
Less Thinking, More Doing
- Overthinking can drain creative energy, especially when work continues during stressful periods.
- Trying a new hobby or skill can break the cycle:
- Remilla Ty finds inspiration in collecting plants, rearranging furniture, drawing, and writing.
- Rasmus Andersson explores computer science, music, and games.
- Joyful side projects, such as turning drawings into stickers, can provide a creative boost without the pressure of professional work.
Finding a Virtual Escape
- Travel, museums, architecture, and live music may be unavailable, but memories can provide a substitute source of inspiration.
- Creative director Tori Hinn revisits photographs in her camera roll to reconnect with past experiences and regain energy.
- Looking through personal archives can offer perspective and stimulate new ideas.
Leaning on Online Communities
- Designers are using social media, Figma Community, articles, videos, and collaborative platforms to stay connected and inspired.
- Katherine Frazer recommends Are.na because users can openly contribute to shared collections.
- Rasmus Andersson follows curated sources such as Archillect on Twitter.
- Noah Levin uses Twitter organically, following interesting designers and discovering more through their networks.
- Online communities can replace some of the creative exchange normally found in physical spaces.
Going Beyond Design
- Inspiration becomes stronger when it comes from areas unlike design because the mind must create connections between unfamiliar concepts and visual ideas.
- Tori draws from music and movies, while Remilla looks to innovation-focused content such as cooking shows.
- Searching directly for solutions to a specific design problem can lead to imitation or narrow thinking.
- Rasmus recommends studying neighboring fields or “similar-but-different” problems instead of copying work that solves the exact same challenge.
Creative momentum does not require constant exposure to design references. Experiment with hands-on hobbies, revisit personal experiences, connect with online communities, and seek unexpected influences to develop more original ideas.