Executives and teams rely on Trillion’s ability to supply creative ideas project after project, year after year. It’s a challenge we happily accept. But with all of the pressure, and constant change in design aesthetics in the business and not-for-profit world, how do we do it? How do we stay refreshed and inspired?
Here’s a look behind the scenes into our world, our team, and the things that we do to keep our clients succeeding, happy, and coming back for their next design or marketing endeavor.
First, we emphasize the importance of a healthy life-work balance. We make sure to show appreciation for jobs well done and acknowledge when our team’s talents and efforts bring success to our clients. We begin every project with positivity and an open mind to hear each other’s ideas and collaborate. After all, it’s challenging for one person to generate great ideas every single day.
Let’s dive into the creative minds of our team members, also called Trillionaires, as they explain what inspires them and how they consistently bring fresh energy and insight to our clients and their clients/prospects.
Do you have a technique to get into a creative mind space?
Sometimes I like to start on paper before going on the computer. Word webs or sketches get my thoughts going and are tactics I use regularly.
(Danielle, graphic designer)
Where do you go to be inspired?
I’m often inspired by my everyday walks around the city. Philly has a ton of street art and a huge mural arts program, so there is always something new and interesting to see. I keep photos organized in folders on my phone for found lettering, color combinations, signage, etc., so I can easily refer back to them.
(Jillian, art director)
Who do you look to for inspiration?
That’s a good question. For me, it’s not who, but where… I like to keep an eye on Behance, Awwwards (for digital design), and I follow the work at the firms of Huge and Pentagram. I’m not devoted to one particular studio or group of designers for inspiration. We have diverse clients and projects, so searching far and wide for inspiration is important to me.
(Jess, senior designer)
When you are finding it hard to get started, what do you do?
I’ll use the internet. I might start with Google Image Search and then roam over a variety of websites. I will sometimes go on Pinterest and create a board, or see how others are solving a similar problem.
(Danielle, graphic designer)
Is there a particular type of music that you listen to for inspiration? Or does it vary based on the type of client or project you’re working on?
Not really. I prefer something upbeat and energizing, but it depends on the task. Sometimes it helps to listen to songs without words, especially when I am reading/writing.
(Jillian, art director)
What do you recommend “non-creatives” to do in order to get the creative juices flowing?
Getting off of your computer and seeking inspiration apart from a screen can help produce ideas. Think about heading to a museum, getting outdoors, exercising, or even white boarding or doodling to get your ideas flowing.
(Larissa, creative director)
When collaborating with other individuals, how can you facilitate better ideation?
I always find it helpful to work in a format where you spend time brainstorming together, then pursue ideas separately, then come back together to bounce those ideas off each other.
(Jillian, art director)
What other art forms do you lean on for creative inspiration?
Fine art can be helpful for design in terms of how emotions relate to color palettes, and communicating ideas visually. I like to listen to instrumental music to get into a creative zone.
(Danielle, graphic designer)
What is the most recent thing you experienced that inspired you?
I love to knit, and I have been knitting since I was 10 or so. I haven’t started designing my own patterns yet, but I’ve been experimenting with adapting and modifying them. I went into a vintage clothing store in Glen Falls, NY, and the owner showed me a huge collection of sweaters from the 1940s–90s. Getting to handle and examine such old hand-knit and machine-knit sweaters ignited so many ideas for designs I’d love to make myself one day.
(Jess, senior designer)
What is the biggest challenge to overcome before inspiration can happen?
Getting yourself into the mindset is the biggest challenge. It’s really important to have a process that generates the right headspace because you can’t sit around waiting to feel inspired to create something out of nothing. I’ll reread the brief, go to my standbys for design research, get a full glass of water, put on an instrumental album, and put pen to paper (or mouse to artboard). My process pretty reliably helps me get into a flow state so I can start making cool things.
(Jess, senior designer)
Inspiration Leads to Success
Staying creative is an investment our team makes every day. Your brand could be our next inspiration! If you’d like to see how we can invigorate your marketing and design materials, complete our simple contact form or give us a call at 908.219.4703.
