Design Inspiration

I always do this... but, it's a process... right? I go and find all these sample designs for my project inspiration and make a nice, little folder for them. Sometimes I even group them into a collage...

And that's fine and dandy and fun... but it never fails that I then design something way too safe that doesn't fully incorporate the edgier feel I get from these designs. Their use of bold colors, contrasting blacks and whites are beautiful!

Ah well, it's a start -- a good place to make notes, a good safe space. It's a diving platform, if you will... And, the next step is the part I've always struggled with -- taking the plunge!

My issue with this site design is that I don't necessarily want to showcase my prints up front, and I feel this is an okay design for doing just that. It's not the best way to showcase my regular design portfolio. That's where I think a simpler design like Anna Dorfman's site is key.

My sister-in-law's site showcases her blog up front, which I love and think is smart. When you arrive, you feel welcomed by her, like it's current and the place to be (it is!), though I think my blog would need to be more design-focused to do that. And, I'm not completely against that idea, but I'm afraid I may feel boxed into the design aspect if I do that. Still, not the end of the world...

As I write this, Mark is whistling at me... which I think is code for, "Get your butt out here and help with this sick baby..." We're taking shifts to stay up with her throughout the night -- temperature taking and fever reducers every 2 hours until tomorrow. If her fever hasn't gone down, antibiotics!

Off to rock a (hopefully soon-to-be) sleeping baby and think more about creative stuff!