Hi! Are you feeling stuck for creative inspiration this autumn? As the warmth of summer disappears and we head towards autumn and winter, many of us creative’s feel a natural instinct to hibernate. We might lose inspiration.
As a surface pattern designer, finding creative inspiration is crucial to staying motivated and producing unique designs. Luckily, autumn is a season that offers endless possibilities for inspiration. From the changing colours of leaves to cosy textures, there are many ways to find inspiration during this time of year. Here are ten ways to find creative inspiration in autumn:
1. Take a walk, ideally in nature
Nature provides some of the best inspiration, and autumn is no exception. Take a walk and observe the colours, textures, and patterns of leaves, trees, and plants. Take photos or sketches of what you see to use as a reference later on.
2. Visit a pumpkin patch
This might be more tricky if you live in a city. But pumpkins are a quintessential autumn symbol and offer plenty of inspiration for pattern design. Look at the different sizes, shapes, and colours of pumpkins to spark your creativity.
3. Explore a Farmer’s Market or two
Autumn is harvest season, and farmers’ markets are bursting with inspiration. Look at the various types of fruits and vegetables, as well as the riot of textures and colours. From the fruit and veg, to the baskets and crates they are displayed in there is so much here to spark that creativity.
4. Visit a botanical garden or park
Botanical gardens offer a diverse range of plant species and designs that can inspire your surface pattern work. Look at the different colors, shapes, and textures of plants, as well as the patterns and structures of leaves and stems. As always, take photos or sketches of what you see to use as a reference later on.
5. Create a mood board
Whether you prefer a physical or digital mood board such as Pinterest, or other tools, create a mood board of autumn-inspired images. Look for images of fall colours, textures, and patterns to help inspire your designs.
6. Experiment with autumnal colour palettes
Autumn colours are rich and warm, with shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. Experiment with different combinations of these colours to create unique and striking designs.
7. Explore Autumn textures
Autumn is a season full of textures, from the roughness of tree bark to the softness of fallen leaves. Look at different textures and experiment with incorporating them into your designs.
8. Look for inspiration in Autumn traditions
Autumn is a season full of traditions. From Halloween to Guy Fawkes Night (in the UK), to simple activities such as apple picking. Look for inspiration in the different symbols and motifs associated with these traditions, such as pumpkins, fireworks or bonfires.
9. Get cosy
It might sound silly, but even snuggling down with a cosy blanket and a cup of warming tea can be a source of inspiration. Think about the textures surrounding you, the warmth and cosiness. What are these if not their own source of inspiration?
Autumn offers a wealth of inspiration for surface pattern designers. By exploring the colours, textures, and traditions of the season, you can find endless possibilities for your designs. Whether you take a nature walk, snuggle in with a cosy blanket or experiment with autumnal colour palettes, there are plenty of ways to find creative inspiration in autumn.
P.S. If you’ve missed my other surface pattern design tips or my guides to brand photography for surface designers, you can find them here.
Also, don’t miss my 22 page ultimate guide to brand photography for creatives! It will guide you through all things brand photography with bonus worksheets to help you on your way!