Create an Inspiration Collection for Innovative Ideas

Turn to your inspiration collection when you have trouble getting your mental light bulb to turn on. Photo courtesy of radioedit. Licensed under CC BY-2.0.This summer, I've been learning lots of new things at my internship including editing and filming videos. I've dabbled in editing and filming before, but I'll admit that I'm certainly no expert. I feel like all of my coworkers have these great ideas of how to edit and film their projects, and I panicked about not being able live up to their expectations. I discussed this with my boss and she gave me a wonderful piece of advice that I'd like to share with you.

If you are a writer, read anything you can get your hands on. If you're a photographer, look for other photography examples anywhere you can. Whatever industry you want to be in, find anything on that subject and read about it, watch videos about it, absorb as much knowledge as you can about it. As someone who wants to work in the television industry, my boss recommended that I watch a lot of TV (oh darn).

But it's more than that. Take notes, literally, on what catches your attention. Keep a folder in your computer of ads, articles, or anything you find interesting or inspiring. Carry a notebook where you write down things you have seen or heard. Keeping track of inspirational things you see throughout your day will help you in several ways. Firstly, it will make you more aware of what's around you and what's going on in your field of interest. Secondly, it will give you great ideas for when you feel stuck in a rut. This isn't to say that you'll copy these ideas exactly, but it will give you a starting point where you can take it and make it your own, original creation. Perhaps you liked a style of writing, a camera angle, color coordination, or method of thinking. Apply these to your own projects and then put your own spin on them.

What do you do to spark inspiration? What's in your inspiration collection? Let us know in the comments!