Comments on: Need Inspiration? Get Out!

By: Stephey, Marked by the Muse™

Stephey, Marked by the Muse™ — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:51:35 +0000

This is a great article! As an artist and designer I truly resonate with finding color combinations in nature. A walk through the woods made me notice all the various harmonies and hues + textures that – work – yet I hadn’t thought about.

I also noticed many odd color combos on butterflies. It inspired me to get a book on butterflies. This encyclopedia of various species has now become my go to resource for color inspiration. I am amazed at the many, actually infinite, odd color combos that work – it helps me to be fresh and unique in w/my own designs.

Thank you so much for this article, and you’re right working form home doesn’t mean less distraction. I find it can mean more distraction! I have an off site studio that helps focus me but ultimately I realized I work best if I mix it up – else I get bored.

Thanks again. Stephey

By: Jennifer Moline, PsPrint

Jennifer Moline, PsPrint — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:06:29 +0000

Cafes are great for inspirational people-watching! I’ve also recently started learning about this trend of co-working — it’s like the best of both worlds of working in an office and freelancing: http://blog.psprint.com/designing/5-benefits-of-co-working/

By: Anna Patrick

Anna Patrick — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:43:43 +0000

Working from home is comfortable, but you’re always in a need of being surrounded by people, whether you’re talking to them or not. I totally subscribe to the “Cafes” point

By: Mindset

Mindset — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:29:15 +0000

hi there Jennifer: I totally agree with you that the best inspirations are often free. I usually take a walk around the neighborhood and try to get ideas from what I see. But I’ve never really thought that conferences and seminars are good for this too. There is a writer’s convention next month, I will sign up for it, thanks to you!

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:38:37 +0000

Thank you for the excellent ideas! While I too am often distracted by people-watching, it is nice to take the laptop to a park or coffee shop for a little change of pace. I don’t know that it “inspires” me, but it does mix it up enough to rejuvenate my work!

By: tara - scoutie girl

tara - scoutie girl — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:39:41 +0000

Thanks for this reminder. I’ve recently started working from a home office as opposed to my couch. When I was working from my couch, I would allow myself certain distractions or a change of position – even trips out of the house to work. I thought working from an office would give me more concentration and better productivity… but I’m starting to feel disconnected from my work.

Your post really helped remind me that it’s okay to seek out other opportunities to benefit my work life. I’m going to be working on bringing the outside in to my office but also allowing myself the occasional cafe work excursion!

By: HeyitsmeJulie

HeyitsmeJulie — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:59:16 +0000

I have been a freelancer since the days of wax and ruby. As a life pattern I often I get lost in a project and easily isolate for days..and daze…until suddenly I realize I am kinda depressed or blaah…about 5 years ago I took up yoga, Budokon and recently zumba…the classes are so much fun and make me want to leave work behind to exercise and be around people while being good to myself.
http://www.tinyurl.com/julieannstricklin

By: Issa

Issa — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:03:38 +0000

Just when I am experiencing the proverbial freelancer’s ‘isolation’ syndrome, I’ve come across this blog. Thanks for this wonderful sharing, Jennifer. I guess I will have to go outdoors to get a fresh dose of creative juice back into my freelance life.

By: Tim Sanchez

Tim Sanchez — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:52:33 +0000

I completely agree with you. I work from home and from an office. I like both of them, but i love the balance I have between the two. Actually from just taking my laptop to a park bench, I got creative and found a company to ship 3 cars for me to Portugal. Thank you Auto Shipping Network and thank you mother nature!

By: Bruce Stanley

Bruce Stanley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:46:12 +0000

I couldn’t have said this any better. I work remotely and from home. I often work at cafes or anywhere there are people. The park is good, if you can find shade for your LCD screen.

I find that just being around others helps my creativity. I can take a break have a conversation with someone and then get back to work.

Getting “out of your head” is important too. If I’m at home working I will sometimes just stop what I’m doing and change focus to something completely different.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:25:24 +0000

For me a mix max of everything helps. It might be a small thing, even an ant or anything big like the Himalayan range as well.

By: Jennifer Moline

Jennifer Moline — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:30:55 +0000

I wholly agree with you, Imran. I can rarely do actual work in cafes or at parks — too much people watching! But when I need a burst of creativity, it doesn’t do me any good to sit at my desk. Sometimes a 10-minute stroll and a couple of deep breaths of fresh air are all I need to be inspired.

By: Imran Subhani

Imran Subhani — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:58:38 +0000

About inspiration you are quite right but about work… I don’t think you are right Jennifer. One need concentration for work which is usually not possible in case of home, park or some cafe. So….

Need Inspiration? Get Out!
but
Need Concentration? Get In!

By: Jed Share | Photographer Seattle

Jed Share | Photographer Seattle — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:57:13 +0000

Road trips are an ultimate experience for visual experience, we are very fortunate here in the US to have such diverse landscape, geology & people. Thanks for your post, great article.

By: Jennifer Moline

Jennifer Moline — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:53:58 +0000

Too true, Janko — when the weather won’t cooperate, a nature channel does a decent job of providing inspiration.