Photo:Emilie Eagan (Limonada)

Whenever we’re looking for moods, backgrounds and atmospheres for our design projects we usually run to our stash of inspiration resources for a quick slap to wake up our creativity and get things started.

Problem is, our source of inspiration get worn out too at some point. That’s why we need to renew our resources on a regular basis. Ok, so we do that already, we read blogs, we follow guys on Twitter and so on. Right?

There are such brilliant pieces of work you can find in the design community blogs, and so many interesting concepts and ideas that you can’t help it: just like shopping, you come back with a bunch of bags full of ideas for palettes, textures, layouts and that sort of thing.

But then, you keep doing this for some time, over and over again you’ll end up grabbing the same things. Wouldn’t it be great if we try something totally new? … say, from the offline world?

Think of it like eating out at a restaurant: your usual places have a wide variety of delights on the menu, but if you’re craving for some new taste you’ve never tried before, you go some place else. You must. Please do.

Fetch your camera, it’s time step away from your computer, and go out hunting.

1 Public Bathrooms

Photo: Darwin Bell

Whether it’s at a pub, an airport, a university, a train station, you name it. The older the better, specially if there is graffiti all over the place. But wait, your grandma’s bathroom can hold a few bizarre surprises as well. Bonus points if you manage to get in your local cat lady’s loo.

2 Inside of a bus, underground, taxi

Photo: (Trishhhh)

Some buses have many distinctive features and textures, it all depends on what part of town you are, or even what country you live in. You would not believe the things I’ve seen here. Anyways, in some places, drivers are allowed to have personal “ornaments” to decorate their working space, you can see this particulary in taxis. The underground (if there’s one near you) has its own feeling to it. Not only the train itself but the whole setting can provide with a rich atmosphere, the station, the rails, people’s faces when coming back from work at 5 pm.

3 Construction Sites

Photo:Toni Verd

This is one of my favourites. Buildings, houses, apartments anything that is half way built can be fascinating. Where I live most constructions are based on concrete and brick, so they can make the perfect location for mysterious, rough and timeless atmospheres.

4 Restaurant Kitchens

Photo: (Wonderlane)

Restaurant kitchens are some sort of parallel universe where there is a certain and sometimes unusual order for everything. Well this has to do more with city regulations and procedures I know, but for us outsiders, the way some of the equipment and utensils are arranged and used can be a true enigma. Let’s not forget the great many surfaces that can be found here, wood, tiles, metal, grease, and so on. If you have a good relation with your usual lunch place, perhaps they won’t mind you taking pictures in their kitchen.

By the way, I don’t think any fast-food joint will let you in. But it’s worth the shot.

5 Antique Dealers

Photo:Thiago James

Many that I’ve visited have chosen odd places for their stores. This is a plus when hunting unusual atmospheres. Antique market places also count.
It would be polite to buy a little something, at least it would help when asking permission to take a few pictures.

This applies all locations that are stores.

Being honest, and explaining what the pictures are for and how inspiring their store is can also help. Who knows, you might end up walking out with a new client.

6 Tattoo shop

Photo: Pablo Alvarado (Ventolin)

Same deal. This is such a bewitching world / hobby / lifestyle / religious ritual.
The place itself, the things hanging on the walls and the guys themselves.
Ok so perhaps buying a little something here is not what we had in mind when we came out with our camera. If tattooing is not your thing, is OK, but don’t scratch this one out just yet. Maybe a different arrangement can be offered… again, you could be walking out with another client.

7 Churches (the older the better)

Photo:Luz A. Villa (Flowery L*u*z*a*)

Knock yourself out! I don’t even have to say anything here. One thing though: just for the sake of respect, do ask for permission.

8 Old Theatres

Photo: Ana Carmen Foschini

The older the better. Some of them will let you take “self guided tour walks” while others just won’t let you in with a camera.
Some things you’ll find for sure: paintings, chandeliers, elaborate curtains and other window treatments. Keep an eye on floor tiles and ceilings, you might find something interesting. By the way, check the restrooms.
One thing that could be fun to explore is any room or environment that is not meant for visitors but for people who work at the theatre itself. You might stumble with something odd like say… stage props being used as office supplies?

9 Produce Market Place

Photo:(Ninja M)

In this case, people are a key ingredient to the general feeling of this environment. And yes, there is infinite number of texture and pattern possibilities, but grabbing only the visuals would be like making a film with no sound. In other words, narrowing your source of inspiration, which is what you came for after all. Pay attention to people, listen to what they say, see what they do. And if you’re up for it, talk to them find out who they are. You’ll come out with a lot of things in head.

10 The Docks

Photo: Albert Subirats (Alsuvi)

If you live in a city where you can have access at some industrial or commercial docks, you’re in for a treat. This is like Lego, only bigger and made mostly of iron and steel. You’ll find wonderful blends of textures and colours. Let alone the gear and machinery they have. What else can I say? I think you’ll agree.

Banks and government buildings can also offer interesting ingredients to your creativity. Believe! boredom has its own appealing. Unfortunately, walking in with a camera “for inspiration” in any of these places, is nothing but a bad excuse to get arrested.

There are a number of places in your community that you might or might not visit at all, that sometimes you take for granted. Try new things to get inspired. After all, inspiration can always come where you least expect it.

I’m sure I’ve left a lot out… So what other odd places can you think of for inspiration?