I think it’s, well, inspiring, to learn how other designers are inspired …

Michael Schultz and Douglas Duncan of Motel Deluxe and Cursive have a large wall hanging corkboard that is “packed with inspiration, almost to the point of insanity,” Michael says.

photo: Motel Deluxe and Cursive inspiration board.

Sonya Kemp, merchant buyer for Em & Me, the cheery & bright kids area inside SoLo, turns to artists’ books for inspiration. Her current favorite is “Lulu.”

Photo: “Lulu,” by Lulu De Kwiatkowski. Book available at SoLo.

Food is a major source of inspiration for Mel Lim, founder and designer of JOY by Mel Lim. Many of her products, including her brand new reusable placemats, include sketches of her favorite foods. I love her “eat long noodle, have long life” birthday card!

photo: San Diego designer Mel of JOY by Mel Lim is inspired by the yummy things in life.

Green Paper Company’s Joan Schnee and Vanessa Petersen are “hugely inspired” by color. They don’t use an inspiration board, but rather spread out magazine clippings, tear sheets, Pantone chips and ideas all over their work table.

Photo: Green Paper Company is inspired by color.

I use one big sketchbook to keep clippings, notes, product ideas and sketches all in one spot. I am a big magazine junkie (my first internship was at Charleston Magazine– I was an editorial intern, but spent all my free time with the art director) and am constantly cutting and pasting ideas into my book.

Photo: My sketchbook is full of clippings. Purple was the hot color in home décor last year, and I think it will start to creep into the stationery world this year. Purple happens to be my very least favorite color, so I used my sketchbook here to “work through it” and find things I like about the color. I love the Haviland dishes and the organic circle pattern…reminds me of sea urchins, which I adore! Another way I keep inspired is to take photos, especially when I travel. I am NOT a good photographer but I have fun.

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