2m read
Finding inspiration and using it as a tool
Leslie A.T 2026
I've been asked 'What inspires you?'
I recently had a call with a client and she asked me where I get inspiration from. The question really struck me because as a designer, most people want to know how you respond to messages, how many revisions you can produce during the project etc… Hopefully I held it down because I was freaking out internally.
Inspiration doesn't come easy or in a linear manner
I think the most scary thing about AI (maybe the only thing scary about it) is that it can produce things instantaneously. They don’t have to be great but it can do a little one two with a prompt.
As creatives—not all— we get inspiration randomly. In the shower, through what randomly comes on your screen or your best work is developed gradually.
On top of it all, thinking, creating and executing can be a bit hard to do. I can have the most amazing idea but also have my execution fall short to the vision.
When it comes to sourcing inspiration especially mood boarding in a way that contributes to your workflow, it comes in two (at least for me).
I source in 2 different ways for the following reason;
I think there is inspo that feeds the eyes and the brain. That’s scrolling on Pinterest or watching a how-to video far from your work station or files because you just want to oversee how other people approach the problem.
This could be a step for you to feel less intimidated by the process if it’s your first time.
The second step includes the mood board or mental notes you make along the way that directly influences the final look or version one of what you’re creating.
But saving images is far from the work
Sourcing inspiration is the easy part, knowing how to use them efficiently is another story. For instance, now that I’m using mood boarding actively as a part of my client & designer process, I have to be faster and concise. That includes to limiting my mood board to 6 meaningful images that will convey and sell a vision to someone.
How not to use references that everyone is using:
To answer the question, I get my inspo from Pinterest! Boo me it’s fine. In my defense, I’ve been curating my Pinterest for at least 5 years and it’s about what you look for in my humble opinion. In addition, it’s great for organic photos (although pictures are intentionally curated) which can help when mood boarding something that extends to an audience.
On the complaint that everyone is using the same references hence why everything looks the same… my last point is yes there is a ‘pinterest aesthetic’ that can easily rub off what you’re making BUT key words feed into what you get.
If I want to design a pilates studio and look for #pilates on pinterest, what I get is broad but standard. Whereas if I want to find interior for a pilates studio that feels like a 80’s disco bar then I have a direction that’s out of the binary.
So wherever you find inspiration is up to you but using it might require a bit of planning!
Links
Work with me on your brand
Work with me on your brand
latcostudio.com