Media That Inspires Creativity
With the Design Contest coming right up, you’re probably in the middle of creating your cover design! If you need an extra boost of inspiration while you work, we’ve rounded up our favorite blogs, Instagram accounts, podcasts, books, and movies that will give your mind a break and keep your creative juices flowing.
BLOGS
Her Name is Mud - We can’t say enough good things about Krista Coons! Her ceramics are simple, intentional, and beautiful and her sketchbook blog is full of delightful tips and musings.
A Beautiful Mess - Co-founded by sisters Elsie and Emma, this blog is one of our favorite places to find clever DIY projects for home or craft. You’ll find so many fantastic ideas here and definitely a fun project you can do with your kids to help break up your creative process.
The Identité Collective - Anastasia Casey’s interior design blog is aimed at providing visual inspiration and business tips to the interior design community, but no matter your background, you’ll walk away full of ideas to make your space a more beautiful, organized, and creatively inspiring place.
Musings of a Curvy Lady - When someone pursues their creative curiosity, you can’t help but be inspired by what they make as a result! Thamarr’s fashion blog bloomed from her desire to create a space where she could appreciate her body and respect it by dressing it well, all while having fun with the process. You’ll love her fashion tips and life advice—like permission to embrace all good things for yourself.
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
@jesskettle - Gorgeous, clean photography.
@thelisteningearproject - A beautiful project recording stories of aging loved ones.
@talkwordytome_ - Book recommendations and reading inspiration/motivation.
@oliviaherrickdesign - Beautiful quotes and fresh, fun design.
@stylefitfatty - Fun and relatable snippets of motherhood and self-care inspiration.
@rosco.design - Colorful, upbeat design.
@kmurrayphoto - Photo styling pro whose work is great for color and composition inspiration.
@paperandstitch - The prettiest interiors and DIY blog.
@lindsay.m.wilkins - Gorgeous art and inspiration for balancing motherhood with your creative work.
@aubryeliz - Colorful and fun business and creativity inspiration.
@tea.ah - RAD fashion photography.
@colette.peri - Helpful advice and fun stop motion work.
@daria_solak_illustrations - Colorful and unique illustrations.
@butterbeready - Incredible food styling and photography with delicious recipes.
PODCASTS
Creative Pep Talk - Full of tips to help you work through creative blocks and use the freshest marketing techniques.
Creative Processing with Joseph Gordon-Levitt - In-depth conversations with top creatives about their process and inspirations.
TED talks Art - A round up of TED talks from some of the world’s greatest creative minds as they present their work.
This American Life - Clever and creative story-telling that can break you out of a funk by giving you something fascinating/heartbreaking/new to learn about.
Live Free Creative - You probably already know that we love everything Miranda Anderson preaches (see our review of her book here)! In her weekly podcast, she focuses on helping women with their self-development in areas like organization, living intentionally, choosing less, and being free to live your life how you want to live it.
BOOKS
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - There’s a reason we refer to this book as the "creative bible.” Liz’s insight and encouragement will make you want to chase whatever makes you come alive forever and always. See our full and gushing review here.
Art, Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist by Lisa Congdon - We love Lisa’s work and are inspired by her advice! Her book is an in-depth look into the creative industry and is most helpful if you decide to make art your career.
How Art Can Make You Happy by Bridget Watson Payne - A delightful, short read that will remind you how to incorporate art into your everyday life.
Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles & Ted Orland - A philosophical examination of what gets in the way of making art, such as perfectionism, creative blocks, and motivation.
MOVIES
Emma by Autumn de Wilde - If you haven’t watched this yet, STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING. Every scene will literally make you want to eat the screen—the costuming, set design, filming, and composition are exquisite!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople by Taika Waititi - This film is so unexpected and quirky! You’ll be giggling one minute and sitting with a touchingly human observation the next, all while enjoying the gorgeous New Zealand bush
La La Land by Damien Chazelle - This award-winner is always worth a re-visit! The choreography, filming, color, and music are all so artistically filling.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by Ben Stiller - If you need some encouragement to embrace escapism, this is the film for you! It’s hilarious, heart warming, and unexpected and it will inspire you to escape into your imagination more often.
Dan in Real Life by Peter Hedges - A clever, heart-felt film that explores the awkward and joyful aspects of family relationships and falling in love. You’ll finish the film with a desire to embrace your human-ness and the surprises life throws at you.
What media inspires your creativity? Share with us in the comments!