From live music to tattoos, an inside look at what inspires us lately
So, here’s a look at what inspires us right now:
Kim
Travel. When I get out of my suburban bubble, even close to home, my world broadens and I always run across design inspiration. I was recently in Telluride, which I found not only stunning and gorgeous, but it had an infectious amount of positivity. Everyone we met (and possibly had a beer with on the Gondola), truly loved their life in Telluride. It was a great reminder to love this human experience on this gorgeous planet. I also annoyed my companions (just a little) by taking way too many photos of cool signage applications around town.
On a professional note, I alway find travel inspiring for any project we work on. When we connect with our human clients face-to-face and experience the vibe of a place, it really informs my design approach.
Music. My other point of inspiration is live music and, spoiler alert, it’s not limited to Pearl Jam! We just traveled to Nashville to see one of our favorite bands at the historic Ryman Auditorium. You could feel the decades of music greatness (and several tent revivals) that goes back to the 1800s. Music is so universal and connects humans in a unique way. It was truly energizing, and it also gave me such an appreciation for how bands brand themselves and stay true to their brand: Hence my addiction to concert posters; they are magnificent works of art!
Design pages. I love a good branding rabbit hole on Pinterest or Behance. I love to see creations from designers around the world. While their aesthetics might differ from mine, I always come away with some fresh ideas and appreciation for the design process.
Pauline
Strong women. My serious inspiration lately has been Brené Brown, specifically her book “Daring Greatly.” This quote she shares sums it all up:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”—Theodore Roosevelt
In our work, we have to dare to try new approaches. We take risks and we push boundaries. While that pushes us out of our comfort zones occasionally, it’s truly when we land on something extraordinary. I think Brown’s wisdom applies well to both professional and personal endeavors.
Balanced brands. I love to keep an eye on brands that I admire for their consistent and unique approaches. For example, I follow Athleta, Target and Room and Board. Each of these brands mixes sophistication with fun little design twists that speak to their personalities.
Body art. I like to poke around on tattoo sites lately just to see how people are pushing their boundaries…weird I know! Body art is such a different medium, and it’s so personal to the person wearing it. Browsing tattoos helps me get in touch with what matters to real people while I admire the design flair of the artists.
Sara
Exploring. I’m most inspired when I’m exploring a new place. Whether it’s a new country, or just a new concert venue or restaurant, I love to fully take in the experience. Each new place offers a different sensory experience, and I especially love visiting places that don’t look or feel like anyplace else I have been.
Modern art. I also love visiting modern art museums and galleries when I can. I’m always amazed at how creative and talented people are, and I love the amount of interpretation that goes along with most modern art. Anything that evokes an emotion or makes me pause to think helps inspire me.
Nature. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE the mountains. They are truly my happy place. My love for the mountains isn’t limited to one season, either. I try to visit year-round to relax and reset and breathe in the mountain air. It’s like a reset button for motivation and creativity.
Of course, some of our biggest inspiration comes from multifamily properties just like yours. If you need a new look and feel, contact us to learn more about our multifamily branding and marketing approach.
