I feel this! The danger of "Pinterest image collecting" is we don't get any context on artists/designers/architects thinking behind the work as we would in a book or an article
Pinterest is great to "organise references" but unfortunately many use it as a research resource
Maria, I love this SO much. This has really inspired me. I am slowly curating my space, and I get worried because it feels I just keep 'cluttering it'. But in reality, I'm adding things I feel an attachment to, and when I think about my small collections, I can see the links between them! I feel this has really unlocked a creative problem I had without even knowing I had i.e. minslessly, endlessly Scrolling Pinterest and wondering why on earth I didn't get any inspiration/anything out of it! The answer was right around me all along!
I'm so happy it resonated Noor! Totally understand the fine line between creative archive and clutter, but I think because you're seeing the connection between things you gravitate towards, trust your judgement 🫶🏽
I remember my creative director's room at my last office. It was filled with books and things I couldn't even name, like post-its, opened packaging from Japanese products, tin cases, vintage wooden sculptures (he collects vintage pieces and loves pop culture, especially Japanese ones).
During my first year there, I always thought of it as a cluttered room to my standards. But not until one day when he asked me to come inside and have a discussion. Btw he never feels awkward with long pause when chatting with others, but it always gets us nervous. And right when I was experiencing those pauses, my eyes started wandering at everything I can lay my eyes on in that room. And I realized: everything inside this room is intentionally placed there. It's stimulating, very stimulating, in a good way, not overwhelming way - in a sense that every object seems to carry a reference or an idea.
After that, his room became one of my favorite spaces.
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PS: sorry if I butchered the grammar, English isn't my first language.
It's so beautiful Maria! Every line is a touchpoint. I am personally not in such a great environment expose to art, literature and creativity (as how I would love to live like), but I am genuinely blessed to have nature around me. Unfortunately big, metro cities have great place for art but have lost its biggest muse 'the nature'. I have a lot to look at.
Every flower carrying its colour palette, every leaf owning its pattern, every bird knows its soothing voice, the small, the ancient architecture remains carrying the heritage in its arm, the culture which is not a ritual to do, but a lifestyle to own and the people, their tone and voice, the small businesses and their plenty of trust in people and vice-versa.
All of these don't just inspire the creativity, but encourage a human too to be a better human and design a better world.
This article is exactly what I needed right now. Just came home from the library with a way too heavy stack of photography, art, and editorial books.
You wrote: Physical archives let you see creative evolution in ways the internet can’t show you - because the internet only preserves what is popular, not what is interesting.
… and that’s just it. Popular and not what is necessarily interesting or inspiring.
I’ve really been trying to find inspiration offline - and especially as a prop stylist I can relate so much about the impact and importance of objects. I know I’m going to be revisiting this post often!
I really enjoyed this post, I’m currently having to create my portfolio and these are some of the things we were told to do by our tutor. I went to the library and looked at a bunch of different books, history, art, cooking, fiction, and ceramics. IT really does help to cultivate your style but also trains your eye to notice like Maria mentioned.
I feel this! The danger of "Pinterest image collecting" is we don't get any context on artists/designers/architects thinking behind the work as we would in a book or an article
Pinterest is great to "organise references" but unfortunately many use it as a research resource
"Curate every aspect of your life until you've built yourself a heaven."
Maria, I love this SO much. This has really inspired me. I am slowly curating my space, and I get worried because it feels I just keep 'cluttering it'. But in reality, I'm adding things I feel an attachment to, and when I think about my small collections, I can see the links between them! I feel this has really unlocked a creative problem I had without even knowing I had i.e. minslessly, endlessly Scrolling Pinterest and wondering why on earth I didn't get any inspiration/anything out of it! The answer was right around me all along!
I'm so happy it resonated Noor! Totally understand the fine line between creative archive and clutter, but I think because you're seeing the connection between things you gravitate towards, trust your judgement 🫶🏽
Undeniable fun
Multisensory 3D+
Have you stumbled upon significanobjects.com?
Loved this, especially the part about building a future archive.
The idea of objects as creative infrastructure is wonderfully dangerous. Suddenly the odd little flea market purchase has a pension plan.
I remember my creative director's room at my last office. It was filled with books and things I couldn't even name, like post-its, opened packaging from Japanese products, tin cases, vintage wooden sculptures (he collects vintage pieces and loves pop culture, especially Japanese ones).
During my first year there, I always thought of it as a cluttered room to my standards. But not until one day when he asked me to come inside and have a discussion. Btw he never feels awkward with long pause when chatting with others, but it always gets us nervous. And right when I was experiencing those pauses, my eyes started wandering at everything I can lay my eyes on in that room. And I realized: everything inside this room is intentionally placed there. It's stimulating, very stimulating, in a good way, not overwhelming way - in a sense that every object seems to carry a reference or an idea.
After that, his room became one of my favorite spaces.
-------
PS: sorry if I butchered the grammar, English isn't my first language.
It's so beautiful Maria! Every line is a touchpoint. I am personally not in such a great environment expose to art, literature and creativity (as how I would love to live like), but I am genuinely blessed to have nature around me. Unfortunately big, metro cities have great place for art but have lost its biggest muse 'the nature'. I have a lot to look at.
Every flower carrying its colour palette, every leaf owning its pattern, every bird knows its soothing voice, the small, the ancient architecture remains carrying the heritage in its arm, the culture which is not a ritual to do, but a lifestyle to own and the people, their tone and voice, the small businesses and their plenty of trust in people and vice-versa.
All of these don't just inspire the creativity, but encourage a human too to be a better human and design a better world.
This was a beautiful read!
It has been such a good read!
Thank you Maria!
This article is exactly what I needed right now. Just came home from the library with a way too heavy stack of photography, art, and editorial books.
You wrote: Physical archives let you see creative evolution in ways the internet can’t show you - because the internet only preserves what is popular, not what is interesting.
… and that’s just it. Popular and not what is necessarily interesting or inspiring.
I’ve really been trying to find inspiration offline - and especially as a prop stylist I can relate so much about the impact and importance of objects. I know I’m going to be revisiting this post often!
I'm so glad I resonated! Thank you! Prop stylist - what a dream job! Yes I would imagine texture of things will play a but part in your work ?
Texture and just objects in general are at the core of everything I do!! And funny because I look at what you do and think dream job!!
Constraints feeling refreshing again—LOVE this as a general principle for life!
I really enjoyed this post, I’m currently having to create my portfolio and these are some of the things we were told to do by our tutor. I went to the library and looked at a bunch of different books, history, art, cooking, fiction, and ceramics. IT really does help to cultivate your style but also trains your eye to notice like Maria mentioned.
That's a great tutor!! 🫶🏽
In my life in indie film @Raindance, I’ve discovered that noticing patterns is vital.
Thanks for sharing this one!
Film as a medium in itself is so crucial!! I love collectors editions of old films!
Reading this as I just logged off Pinterest where I saw exact replicas of photoshoots!!
I get being inspired by someone's work, but some are so unoriginal they're blatantly copying.
So good. The idea of physical objects being your creative infrastructure, not just decoration, is a great way to put it.