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Originality is Over-rated While blatantly stealing from others is unethical, using their ideas and making them your own is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is quite common among professional designers. Here are a few suggestions to spark your creativity: a) Don't throw away junk mail! Learn from the masters of direct mail by looking at every piece of spam and snail mail that you receive. If you come across a piece of junk mail that doesn't spark your interest at first glance, look it over, make a mental not of what you don't like about it, then throw it away. On the other hand if a piece of "junk mail" catches your attention for even a moment - look at it closer. What do you like about it? Why did it catch your eye? Then put the eye-catching piece in an "inspiration file". Other things to go in your inspiration file can be magazine ads, newspaper ads, flyers, brochures, postcards, photographs of interesting posters or billboards, printouts of emails, screenshots of web site. Organize your inspiration file by type "direct mail", "flyers", "brochures". When a project comes up - go through your inspiration file, find a good idea or two, infuse some of your own style into it, and make a brand new design concept of your own. b) Have a brainstorming session. Write down whatever comes to your mind - no limits. Get silly - have fun. Some of the best ideas come out of this type of approach. c) Read design magazines - they are full of wonderful ideas by very talented people.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of female business owners throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest.
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